Princeton Offers New Experiences and Opportunities for Locals and Visitors

There is never a wrong time to look towards the future with hope and optimism. And this summer, it’s easy to do so with the opening of new spaces and places that can help us to relax, get away and to get help. Interestingly, all of the things we’re writing about here, are new to us…though they have, in essence, been around for a long while!

TRIUMPH IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS!

Triumph Brewery had been a well-known Princeton establishment. In fact, it was issued the very first brewpub license in the state of New Jersey when it first opened on Nassau Street in 1995. Through the years, additional locations in Red Bank and New Hope have found great success as well. But, as owner Adam Rechnitz looked to the future (and opportunity provided), he decided to relocate and take over the old post office building in downtown Princeton. His brand-new brewpub, now named Triumph Restaurant and Brewery, has finally opened (some of its space) in Palmer Square. Restoring an historic building and getting everything done just right took seven years to complete.

“Year one was planning board. Years two and three was hire three architecture firms and develop designs. Years four and five was apply for permits through the state of NJ during the middle of Covid. Years five, six and seven were construction,” explains Kevin Wilkes, of Princeton Design Guild, whose company was the on-site construction representative during the project and was also responsible for all of the custom and restoration woodwork at the brewpub. “Demo took six-months to remove all the asbestos, lead-based paint and plaster of the original building, in order to prepare to start construction. Inside the shell of this concrete and steel building, we had to construct a brewery, restaurant, kitchen, two bars, two dining rooms and back-of-house office spaces along with completely new utility, heating, cooling and air filtration systems.”

To preserve, restore and rebuild the 1930s building, the work was a full team effort additionally involving Design Architect, Richardson Smith Architects; Historic Preservation Architect, Historic Building Architects and Architect of Record, Gittings Associates, PC. The physical construction work was done by General Contractor, Massimino Building Corporation.

At one point or another you may have been inconvenienced by road closures and construction equipment, as crews worked to try and fit into the small area of Palmer Square as it worked inside and outside to get things completed. The location was complicated for Triumph and the municipality, which had weekly coordination meetings to try to minimize impact on the community and maximize advancing the build. Inside the now completed structure, you’ll notice an historic mural in the lobby and even teller windows from the old post office. These were all required, by the state office of historic preservation, to be restored and maintained within the new structure – so you can experience the old while enjoying the new. So far, only Der Keller, the basement bar, has thus far opened to the public. It is open daily at 4pm, though there is hope to add lunch hours in the future. The upstairs main dining room is not yet ready for business but does anticipate opening soon.

“It’s a completely new brew house. There’s a 10-barrel system similar in size to what we had on Nassau Street, but brand new. The entire kitchen is brand new, too. The space overall is brand new,” shares Eric Nutt, Corporate Sales Manager, Triumph Brewing Company. “Essentially, this is opening a brand-new location even though Triumph may feel comfortable to a lot of Princetonians. The menu is fairly new, it’s all a new experience for our guests.”

What’s not new is the quality of the award-winning beer, Nutt says. Once fully operating, there will be nine beers on tap at all times. Triumph also plans to have different menus with more pub-friendly fair in Der Keller, a heavier entrée menu in the main dining room and small plates available in the lounge.

IT’S TIME FOR GRADUATE

The coordination meetings that Triumph had to engage in with Princeton engineering were due in part to a new hotel being built simultaneously nearby on Nassau and Chambers Streets. Graduate Princeton, which anticipates having its doors open by late summer (the website is allowing bookings beginning August 15^th), had Chambers Street closed partially and sometimes entirely throughout its multi-year construction. The opening had been planned for early June, but that date came and went.

The hotel has not offered any explanations for the delay, but locals and visitors are eagerly awaiting the opening. It is the expectation that guests coming to move in their students to Princeton University this fall will sleep in carefully curated guest rooms, and the public will additionally be welcomed to enjoy a good drink and eats at the lobby bar and restaurant, Ye Tavern, where pre-prohibition era cocktails are the highlight. Much like Triumph, Graduate Princeton is incorporating the historic nature of the site into the new hotel.

“Ye Tavern is named after a storied bar that once occupied the same site in the 1930s, and the design is also inspired by Princeton University’s famed Eating Clubs. The restaurant and bar will be open to the public while also offering grab-and-go options for hotel guests,” notes Michael Monarca, General Manager, Graduate Princeton.

The Graduate hotel brand (found on or near over 30 college campuses across the country and UK) incorporates details from its nearby college or university into every aspect. The original structure that is housing Graduate Princeton was built by Princeton University as a student dormitory in 1918, so it provides an abundance of charm and history to pull from.

“Each property is entirely unique, featuring thoughtful, hyperlocal design that tells the story of its community. Our goal is for visiting alumni to discover references to their storied university traditions and feel a nostalgic connection to their alma mater, and for newcomers to walk away having learned something new. Graduate Hotels offer more than just a place to stay – they are the backdrop for some of life’s most memorable moments,” explains Kevin Osterhaus, President of Global Lifestyle Brands, Hilton.

The company has long had its eyes set on opening a hotel near Princeton University and was grateful to take advantage of repurposing and rebuilding to provide a curated local experience in this location.

“We were really inspired by the Princeton tradition of Eating Clubs and the Gothic architecture around campus, which informed a lot of the hotel’s design. In the lobby, guests will be greeted by a beautiful reception desk, flanked by a pair of carved wooden Tigers, (Princeton mascot),” Osterhaus adds. “The two-story library lounge is lined with thousands of books and a collection of vintage Senior Jackets – a token received by Princeton students upon graduating. The space is anchored by a thirty-foot carved wooden table for visitors to study, gather, and connect – a feature that is reminiscent of the historic libraries on campus.”

Just walk across Nassau street and peek in the window of PU’s Rockefeller College and you’ll see a similar long wooden table!

HEALTHY TRANSITIONS

There is yet another opportunity that is rather new in Princeton but has been around elsewhere for a while – and that is Princeton Integrated Behavioral Health.

For 51 years, Princeton relied on Corner House Behavioral Health as it partnered with the municipality to provide mental health services. After careful evaluation, it was decided last year that a savings of half-million dollars annually and an opportunity to provide expanded services, made it time for a necessary change. This led Princeton to instead contract with a new provider, Catholic Charities. In February, Princeton Integrated Behavioral Health (a program of Catholic Charities) opened its doors inside the old municipal building at 1 Monument Drive.

“Our goal is to address anyone’s needs that comes through the door. We focus on removing barriers to access to care,” explains Lisa Merritt, Chief Nurse Executive, Catholic Charities. “It doesn’t matter if you are uninsured, undocumented, or have private insurance – we see everyone regardless of their ability to pay.”

On an outpatient basis, the center offers individual therapy, medication management and offers nursing services to link individuals to primary care needs they may have. It also helps people address housing needs and food insecurity, providing case management services. Around since 1971, Catholic Charities has over 60 Behavioral Health programs working to overcome the stigma of mental health treatment and provide help. Princeton is its newest location.

“Unfortunately, even though within society we’ve had a lot of great progress, there is still a stigma out there with fear of labeling,” Merritt shares. “We find a lot of times individuals don’t want to be judged. A lot of times adolescent’s parents may think it will affect their child’s college years or ability to apply, which limits them from seeking services.”

That being said, in Princeton, the largest population seeking help over the past months has been adolescents, or parents seeking help for their adolescent children. This location helps patients ages 12 and older. Yet surprisingly, only about 70 patients have sought it out thus far. Most other sites see 70 patients daily.

“We are trying to normalize that everyone has a struggle at some point, and we are here to support people through that process and be compassionate with them about it,” Merritt adds.

With eight people on site (including a psychiatrist, clinicians, office manager and those helping with housing and food insecurity), the center is there to help people on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9am-5pm and on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9am-8pm. Telehealth services are also available for those that can’t or choose not to visit in person. All those seeking help can contact the access center at 800-360-7711.