October 8, 2004
Lawsuit dismissed.
Main Street
Farmhouse
closer to reality.
Princeton, N.J. -- After more than six months of proceedings, Mercer County Superior Court Judge Linda R. Feinberg upheld The Main Street "Farmhouse" Use Variance, clearing the way for Main Street to serve the public in their proposed Farmhouse Restaurant and Ballroom on Carter Road in Hopewell, NJ.
"I’m relieved to know that the legal system really works. It’s just a shame to have wasted thousands of dollars and delayed the project by at least a year," said John Marshall, Main Street owner and Farmhouse visionary.
"Having received three unanimous board approvals across seven hearings with literally hundreds of supporters present, I was shocked when this suit was filed. I felt that I had not only paid my dues, but had proposed something very special behind which the entire community was rallying and is still anticipating to this day", says Marshall.
One step forward, one step back.
Marshall’s long negotiated verbal agreement to purchase the Farmhouse from Townsend Capital was put in doubt in March when Townsend informed him that the entire former Lucent Complex was to be purchased by Berwind Property Management.
"It's a shame that we had to begin negotiations all over again with a new owner which is unaware of all of the work that went into getting approvals for what could be one of the area's most attractive, highly regarded eating establishments. Let's hope they can see the added value that the restaurant can bring to their project and the surrounding community", comments Marshall.
If Marshall had a purchase agreement in hand, he suggests that "The Farmhouse could be open as early as January of 2006." Reflecting on today’s news, Marshall exclaims, "This is a good victory for Main Street, but a slam-dunk-win for all of Hopewell Township and its surrounding communities!"
About Main Street
Founded twenty years ago in Kingston, NJ, and still the site of their quaint Café and Bakery, the Main Street family has grown to include a nationally recognized Bistro in Princeton and a full-service catering division in Rocky Hill. The Catering staff is expert in their field with the reputation for fine product, service and execution having served numerous private functions, weddings and benefits, including The President of the United States, Oprah, Jay Lenno, you and your neighbors.
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