TOMS RIVER – Just weeks after a packed room of residents fought to keep it open, the JBJ Soul Kitchen pop-up at the Ocean County Library was quietly set on a path to closure.
The Ocean County Library Commission voted at its most recent meeting to allow the café’s lease to expire at the end of April, ending a program that had grown into a critical resource for people facing food insecurity in downtown Toms River.
Unlike the earlier debate that drew emotional testimony and standing-room-only crowds, the final decision came with little public discussion. The closure was not listed as a separate action item on the March 17 agenda and instead surfaced during a committee report on use of the café space.
That difference may have contributed to the absence of the kind of public response that had previously delayed the café’s shutdown.
From Extension To End
The decision stands in contrast to what happened just weeks earlier.
At a January 28 special meeting, residents, advocates and even library staff pushed back against plans to close the café. The turnout forced commissioners to reconsider, ultimately leading to a unanimous vote to extend the pop-up through April 30.
That extension was widely viewed as temporary. However, some residents expressed hope the café could remain through a future bidding process. Many members of the community appeared hopeful that the café would remain in place beyond the extended deadline.
At the March 17 meeting, library commissioner member Sue Hutler presented the findings of the committee tasked with evaluating the future of the café space, a group that included Hutler, Bonnie Peterson and Ruthanne Scaturro.
Hutler said the committee met twice in February and took a broad look at how the space could best be used moving forward.
“We met twice in the month of February and reviewed a number of factors,” she said, explaining that the group examined the cost of updating the café area, gathered input from library staff, and discussed both the request-for-proposals process and whether the space should be used by a for-profit or nonprofit entity.
The committee also reviewed how the space could function within the library itself. “We talked about quite a few different aspects, but the consensus of the committee was that the best use of the space would be an intergenerational room,” Hutler said.
She noted that the concept would mirror plans for the new Stafford branch and fill a gap at the Toms River location. “The Toms River library does not currently have an intergenerational space,” Hutler said.
The proposed layout could include study rooms, quiet areas, large-print collections, magazines, newspapers, computers and internet access. Hutler added that the committee also discussed the possibility of incorporating a small stage to support programming and events.
Library Director Susan Quinn said the decision shows a broader evaluation of how the space can serve the public. “The decision reflects an effort to thoughtfully assess how this library space may best serve a broad range of community needs for library-specific services, including expanded intergenerational programming,” Quinn said.
She added that the library remains appreciative of the partnership.
“The Ocean County Library is sincerely grateful to the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation for operating the JBJ Soul Kitchen pop-up at the Toms River branch at the library’s invitation,” Quinn said. “The foundation is a respected organization, and the library commends its mission, staff, volunteers and the impactful work they do to support the community.”
Following the recommendation, the commission approved a resolution acknowledging that the current lease expires at the end of April and will not be renewed.
The café first opened on February 11, 2025, inside the former church space attached to the library, with no defined end date.
What began as a temporary concept expanded quickly. The pop-up was extended multiple times, first through the summer of 2025, then through January 30, 2026, and finally through April 30 following public outcry earlier this year.
During that time, it became far more than a place to eat. Operating under a pay-it-forward model, the JBJ Soul Kitchen served more than 13,500 meals at the library location as of January 2026, with 78 percent going to people in need. It also helped connect individuals to housing, employment and services.
For many, it filled a gap that had few alternatives nearby. “JBJ has literally saved my life,” one woman told commissioners during the earlier public hearing.
What Comes Next
Ocean County Commissioner Jennifier Bacchione, who serves as liaison to the library, addressed concerns about what the closure might mean for people who relied on the space. Bacchione said she was told that even if the café is no longer operating, the library will continue to remain open to everyone.
She noted that if the intent was to limit access for unhoused individuals, that outcome is unlikely. “Everyone knows you can’t deny access to people in public places based on the way they look,” Bacchione said. “They’re still going to come.”
Bacchione added that she received reassurances at the library meeting that all members of the public are welcome in the library. She also said she plans to reach out directly to the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation to explore whether another location in the area could help continue serving those facing food insecurity.
The pop-up’s presence also sparked public debate. Toms River Mayor Dan Rodrick referred to the operation as a “soup kitchen,” a characterization that drew criticism from some residents and advocates.
Library officials previously addressed that concern directly. During earlier meetings, Commission Chair Henry Mancini said the library operates independently and had not been influenced by the mayor in determining the café’s future.
Instead, officials pointed to procurement requirements and the need to determine a long-term use for public space.
Even as the decision was finalized, commissioners acknowledged the impact of the program.
“I had lunch there… you do a great job. It’s a great service,” Mancini told JBJ representatives.
Rob Wood, Assistant General Manager of JBJ Soul Kitchen, responded by emphasizing the work accomplished during the café’s run. “We’ve done a lot in the community,” he said.
That work will now shift entirely to the organization’s permanent location. Tessa Caruso, marketing manager for the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, said the organization would not comment further on the closure but confirmed that the JBJ Soul Kitchen at 1769 Hooper Avenue in Toms River will remain open.
