Four-decade fixture in Bernardsville eyed for redevelopment. Here's the proposal

BERNARDSVILLE – A proposal has been submitted to the borough Planning Board to convert the vacant Walter’s Garden Center, a four-decade fixture in town, to a sit-down family restaurant.

The application for the building between the Bernardsville Animal Hospital and Lowrie Auto Body on Route 202, didn’t specify what type of restaurant was being proposed.

The plan does, however, show a pizza prep area and two large ovens. The restaurant would have both indoor and outdoor seating.

The proposal was submitted to the Planning Board on April 4 by Morris Plains residents Antonio and Giovanni Pugliese.

After a review by the board's planner and engineer , the application was deemed incomplete.

The applicant’s engineer responded with a letter addressing the board planner and engineer’s concerns.

Once the revisions are completed, the proposal will be submitted for another review.

Once the application is deemed complete, a public hearing for the proposal will be scheduled.

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Walter’s Garden Center had occupied the lot at 53 Morristown Road since 1976, when Walter Bowles purchased Santillo Garden Center from Mary and Ferdinand Santillo.

Six years later, he made his wife, Mary Bowles, co-owner, and they ran the business together for more than 30 years.

The Bowles’ daughter, Lara, joined the business in 2014 helping with paper and bookkeeping when her mother stepped away from the business.

The property was put up for sale in early 2020 for $750,000.

Nuvola 53 L.L.C. purchased the property in February 2023 for $675,000 according to a deed registered in the Somerset County Clerk’s Office.

Just two doors down from the Walter’s Garden Center is the old Somerset Hills Audi dealer that the Borough bought back in 2022.

The borough is hoping to sell the property for redevelopment.

Ethan Mannello: EMannello@mycentraljersey.com

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Four-decade fixture in Bernardsville eyed for redevelopment. Here's the proposal