The headline reads: Cordivari’s in Brigantine Faces Uncertainty.
According to the Brigantine Times, Cordivari’s Restaurant is facing an uncertain future….after September 2026.
The popular Italian eatery at 3004 Brigantine Ave has been sold.
It’s feared that the building (former Mad Dog Morgan’s, WAWA) will be torn down and replaced with two, multi-million dollar houses.
We believe homes could be built on a parcel that’s currently zoned B1, GENERAL BUSINESS, Commercial.
In a firmly worded social media post, Brigantine Mayor Vince Sera almost seems amenable to a mixed-use project? Business downstairs with residential upstairs?
Mayor Vince Sera: Brigantine City Council does not support, and will not support, the rezoning of commercial properties solely for residential development.
(see full SERA post below)
Owner / Chef Jim Cordaveri will keep feeding hungry Brigantiners until the end of September 2026.
New property owner ( who is it ? ) letting them operate the business thru SUMMER 2026.
Cordivari’s currently open Thursday thru Sunday, 4p-9p.
To make a reservation: CordivarisRestaurant.com.
James Cordivari expertly managed restaurant’s transition from a full-service bar to the popular BYOB model it operates under today.
- Land Sale (August 2025): Owner of 3004 Brigantine Ave property finalized $999,000 sale with a previously unknown buyer. Early indications suggest a Brigantine resident bought the property.
- Holdover Status: Cordivari currently operating as ‘holdover tenants’—until Sept 2026 when mystery developer takes control of the sizable lot.
Mayor Vince Sera –Brigantine
Brigantine City Council does not support, and will not support, the rezoning of commercial properties solely for residential development.
Many people from the community have reached out with concerns about the potential rezoning of commercial properties into residential use.
I want to reassure the community that City Council does not support, and will not support, the rezoning of commercial properties solely for residential development.
This position has been consistently communicated to every builder and developer who has met with the City requesting support for this type of rezoning.
Council recognizes that maintaining commercial properties is essential to our local economy and the long-term financial health of our community.
While the City is open to well-planned mixed-use projects, we do not support the elimination of commercial zoning.
Allowing commercial areas to disappear for the sake of short-term profit is not in the best long-term interest of Brigantine.
Protecting the balance and character of our Island is a priority, and we remain committed to thoughtful planning that serves residents, businesses, and the future of Brigantine.
Residents should demand that Brigantine Planning & Zoning meetings be live-streamed.
Gmac Mac: Brigantine Times should question Zoning Board about lack of commercial zones and everything being zoned for McMansions.
Gerard Ruffenach: Leadership of Brigantine allowing most retail and commercial properties to covert to residential. It is inevitable we will lose businesses.
Paul Lettieri: At some point, Brigantine had to approve a zoning change to commercial. After spending all that money to create commercial districts in the area, sidewalks, lighting, parking etc. The lot owner will have difficult and expensive time converting it back to residential.
Ron P. Swegman: Brigantine is saturated with new, large houses. Where will these new residential owners shop or eat out? Brigantine’s political and business leadership over last three decades has developed island in a manner that could be an urban development textbook on what NOT to do. The real estate model of “buy out, demolish, rebuild bigger” has squandered Brigantine’s long-term natural strengths and selling points.
Marie DeTore McQueen I know in Ventnor they are given tax abatements… also so ridiculous. So many of the cities we live in are getting rid of all of the commercial buildings and building houses… everywhere. I really don’t think we need all these mansions. We also need businesses to survive.
Karen Bell Fuscaldo Was there ever a Planning Commission? Brigantine Zoning is all over the place. Such a shame there isn’t one, well thought out (and zoned) central business district.
Jim Bennett There have been several board approved conversions of commercial to residential.
George Loza “we keep losing eateries”. I’m curious as to why they are closing and what eateries have been recently closed and rezoned. His reply implies that it’s an issue that the city is ignoring
Angela Giangiacomo Galieti – With that said —Brigantine needs to be more conducive in cultivating an environment that attracts more businesses. Right now there aren’t enough eateries on the island with most flocking to AC or neighboring shore towns for dinner. With the news of Cordivari’s losing their lease, this further lessens the options. Hope to see some new developments.
Why must we overbuild / over-develop?
I understand Brigantine wants a strong tax base, but we have that. Endless giant mansions that are mostly vacant.
Been here since 1982 and can’t believe what has happened to this once charming and affordable place.
Charming and affordable from decades ago doesn’t sustain a tax base. Want them? Fine. Don’t sell your property, or stop whining about having to pay higher taxes as a a result.
I’m a long-time Brigantine property owner following your coverage of commercial zoning issues, including Cordivari’s. Mayor Vince Sera recently stated the City does not support converting commercial zoning to residential use, yet one case stands out.
The former Rod & Reel site was historically B-6 commercial, but in 2021 the City adopted the North End Redevelopment Plan, a redevelopment designation that applies only to that single property and superseded its commercial zoning to allow residential development.
I have not been able to find another instance in Brigantine where a redevelopment plan was created solely to override B-6 zoning for one commercial parcel.
Since then, applications proposing multiple large single-family homes have been repeatedly filed and postponed or withdrawn, often on the day residents who received variance notices appear at Town Hall, with little explanation.
Requests for clarification from City Hall have gone unanswered.
Given the Mayor’s public stance, the single-site nature of this redevelopment plan, and the repeated delays, this process may warrant closer scrutiny.