Gregorys Coffee founder comes home, bringing his chain to Monmouth County

HAZLET - For Gregory Zamfotis, opening a Gregorys Coffee cafe and drive-up on Route 35 in Hazlet is like coming home.

Zamfotis, who founded Gregorys Coffee in Manhattan in 2006, grew up in Holmdel and went to Holmdel High School. His sister and parents, who at one time had a pizza restaurant in a Route 35 location that would later become a Tim Horton's, all live in Monmouth County.

Now Zamfotis is bringing Gregorys Coffee, which has 36 locations including five in New Jersey, to Monmouth County.

The specialty coffeehouse is leasing 1,500 square feet at the end of a new retail building that is replacing what was formerly Dino's Fishery. Danielle Brunelli, president of R.J. Brunelli & Co, represented Gregorys in the lease. Jonathan Greenberg of Katz Retail represented the landlord.

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"It means a lot to me to have that business there and kind of come back home," Zamfotis said. He estimates that the cafe will open in the summer of 2023.

"I feel like we are very familiar with Hazlet, Route 35, the shopping corridor," said Zamfotis, who has been working to open cafes with drive-thru lanes. "When we had the opportunity to work on a drive-thru in Hazlet, we were really excited to make that happen."

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The new building will give a new look to a property that some may now consider an eyesore. The existing vacant building was most recently an indoor farmer's market, and previously Dino's Fishery.

"Anytime that there are empty shops that have been sitting out for quite some time, it's a look that we don't want as a town," Township Committeeman Peter Terranova said. "We are excited that there are new businesses that are recognizing that our town has value. We want to give them all the options that they need."

Change is coming. In June, the township Land Use Board approved a plan to demolish the one-story 3,937-square-foot store, formerly No. 1 Farm Market. In its place, the developer proposes to build a 2,892-square-foot retail building, which includes Gregorys.

Another 7,590-square-foot building, which sits in the back of the property, will be renovated.

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Zamfotis said the property "needs some love."

"We want to be that central gathering place for people and make them feel comfortable and want them to keep coming back," Zamfotis said.

Gregorys Coffee roasts its coffee in New York City. Besides its coffee drinks, teas, smoothies and juices, the cafe also has baked goods, such as croissants and muffins, and breakfast sandwiches, among other items. "Everything we do is handmade by us," Zamfotis said. "You get the quality and the freshness from going to a local bakery, but you are getting it out of a specialty coffee shop."

David P. Willis, an award-winning business writer, has covered business and consumer news at the Asbury Park Press for more than 20 years. He writes APP.com's What's Going There column and can be reached at dwillis@gannettnj.com. Join his What's Going There page on Facebook for updates.