Looking to experience a taste of Europe? What Walter’s Garden Center was, is now turning into a modern European cafe.The Planning Board of Bernardsville was recently proposed this idea by Giovanni Pugliese from Morris Plains, and the planning board just approved Pancio Pugliese LLC to convert the once-known Walters Garden Center to a cafe on March 4. Pancio Pugliese LLC so far has constructed successful properties such as the Village Shoppes at Montgomery, Kingston Village Center, and the Village Walk at Montgomery.
After his idea was approved by the board, Pugliese explained his plan for the new restaurant, “there will be no waiters or waitresses, most customers will pick up their food and leave” he explained to the board that there will be seating around the cafe for up to 35 customers. There will be optional seating outside, as well as inside of the cafe. The cafe will sell all kinds of baked goods: From pastries to pizzas as well as bread, pastries, sandwiches, and coffee. He compared his cafe to places like Cocolux in Peapack and the well known Panera.
When asked about his employing method, Pugliese called his plan a “slow rollout” at first, and he will start the business with four to five employees. He also mentioned that this is his family’s business, adding how his parents have been in the restaurant industry for years. He also plans for the employee parking lot to be off-site, possibly the train station or other places in town with vacant spots, if there’s not enough room on the plot to begin with.
53 Morristown Road on Route 202 in Bernardsville was home to Walters Garden Center for more than 30 years, starting when Walter Bowles bought the Santillo Garden Center from Mary and Ferdinand Santillo back in 1976. Walter and his wife owned and operated Walters Garden Center until 2014 when their daughter Laura started to take over. In 2020, the property was put up for sale, with an asking price of 750,000 dollars. The property was then later bought by Pancio Pugliese LLC in February 2025 for 675,000 dollars, according to a deed registered in the Somerset County Clerk’s Office.
When asked about the new cafe, Cristine Zamarra of the Borough Council stated, “it will be a great addition because it sounds like a casual family cafe” she also mentioned how lots of families in the area have children with sports, extracurriculars, and how they might need something “fast, easy, healthy, and delicious”. There isn’t a set date for an opening yet, but according to Zamara, builders still need to expand the roof and make other improvements to the plot.
This new “Modern European Cafe” will be coming to Bernardsville soon, at 53 Morristown Road. It will have pastries, pizzas, bread, sandwiches and many more. Visit for a healthy and delicious bite to eat.
