New Restaurant Granted Variance For Expanded Outdoor Patio

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — Blue Point Grill, a new seafood house coming to Newtown this summer, secured a variance Monday night to expand an outdoor seating area at the former Corner Bakery Cafe, which is currently undergoing renovations on West Road.

In a unanimous vote, the zoning board granted the owners permission to expand its outdoor dining area on the north side of the building by 960 square feet, enough to fit an estimated 12 to 16 additional tables.

“So much has changed due to COVID. One of the things that has changed - probably for the better - is that there is a huge popularity for outdoor dining,” the restaurant’s attorney told the zoning board. “When this application was approved (owner Jack) Morrison was hoping to open last fall and then after six or eight months or so come back and seek expanded outdoor dining. However, due to delays in permitting and other things, construction has been delayed. Because construction is ongoing, it made sense to come in now and not later to do the work.”

In making the case for the variance, the attorney argued that there’s plenty of parking for the expanded use with the existing shared lot with TD Bank and with the adjacent shopping center parking lot to accommodate customers.

In an update, owner Jack Morrison said the opening has been pushed back to mid-July due to supply chain issues and other delays that has forced him to pivot the schedule.

“We’re really excited to be in Newtown,” said Morrison, who operates a BPG restaurant in Princeton along with the Witherspoon Grill, Kristine’s and the Nassau Street Seafood & Produce Co.

BPG, a family-owned restaurant which opened its doors in 1999 on Nassau Street, is known for its extensive selection of impeccably-fresh seafood served in a fun, lively family atmosphere.

It’s menu is swimming with fresh seafood, including 15 different varieties of east and west coast oysters, 25 different kinds of fish and classics such as New England clam chowder and lump crab cakes.

“Seafood is what I do. I’m 48 years in the industry and I really enjoy it. We have heard for the past 20 years, ‘You need to come to Newtown. You need to come to Newtown.’ We’ve been welcomed from the beginning and we’re really excited to be here.”

Morrison will now need to amend his conditional use application, which means one more appearance before the board of supervisors.