WEST MILFORD — Frank's is staying in the ShopRite Plaza.
Angel Morales, the longtime owner of the popular pizzeria and restaurant, said he is thrilled with the news.
"I'm just very excited about it," said Morales, who has owned Frank's for the past 14 years.
Morales will be moving, just right next door into the spot that used to house the Just A Buck store but has been vacant for years. The size is about the same as he has now.
As many know, ShopRite is in the process of a major renovation. The plan calls for ShopRite to expand into the space currently occupied by Frank's. Inserra, owner of the West Milford ShopRite, and Morales didn't come to an agreement on the rent late last year and with Morales' lease expiring on Feb. 28, it looked like he would have to find a new home.
Many in the community were very upset with that. The restaurant collected more than 2,000 signatures on a petition to keep Frank's in the ShopRite Plaza.
Morales said he decided to go speak to officials at Inserra back in February.
"I just decided to go and tell them my story," he said.
He explained that he's owned the restaurant for 14 years and that he and his family moved to West Milford last year. He also told them about the overwhelming support he has gotten from members of the public, many of whom were very upset about possibly losing the restaurant.
About a week after his meeting, he got a call from Inserra offering him the space next to his current place.
"I was very happy, for me and the community," said Morales. "I'm so grateful for how the community supported us."
Morales will remain in his current space through March 31. He is in the process of getting the permits needed for the renovation of the new space and then will spend a few months building. He hopes for a late June or early July grand opening.
- Linda Smith Hancharick