Woodbridge celebrates LeGrand Coffee House opening (slideshow)

It was a true full-circle moment as the man of the hour and hometown hero, Eric LeGrand, emerged to cut the ribbon to officially open his new venture LeGrand Coffee House—smack dab in the downtown of the community where he grew up, with a huge crowd gathered on an overcast Saturday in May.

Mayor John McCormac, an early backer of the project as a potential anchor for Woodbridge’s downtown redevelopment and longtime LeGrand friend, kicked off the May 14 ceremonies, which featured a lineup including some of New Jersey’s heaviest hitters to mark the occasion.

“We are so, so proud of Eric being here today with Woodbridge Township,” McCormac said, before introducing Rutgers Football Head Coach Greg Schiano.

“I’m like a proud papa right here,” Schiano said of LeGrand. “There’s no one better to do this.”

Schiano was followed by Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, D-19th District, who has known LeGrand for some time, even recalling his football games with McCormac when LeGrand starred at Colonia High School, before committing to Rutgers. “Eric, it has always been a privilege to watch you and to see you, and I can’t wait for this next chapter,” Coughlin said. “It is going to be an enormous success because of you.”

Next up was First Lady Tammy Murphy, who briefly spoke, before turning the microphone over to her husband, Gov. Phil Murphy, who donned a red Rutgers pullover for the occasion.

“This place is rocking,” Murphy said. “This is going to be a real anchor in town. To have Eric’s name on the door, it’s just so totally cool. So I’m incredibly honored to stand here with Coach (Schiano), with Athletic Director Pat Hobbs, with the athletes, with the elected officials.”

“It is my incredible honor to introduce the man of the hour. Let’s all give it up for the one and only, Eric LeGrand,” Murphy said.

LeGrand took the microphone to huge applause from the family, friends and dignitaries gathered, as well as a huge crowd of community supporters lined up and down the block. He remarked on the nearly two-year journey to build the business from the ground up.

“I said if I put mind to it, we can make this happen right here in Woodbridge Township,” LeGrand said.

He explained that with all the turmoil of 2020, he was hoping to create something and somewhere to unite people.

“I said I want to bring people together, be able to come into our shop, forget about all the stuff that’s going on in this world, and just have a good time,” LeGrand said. “Enjoy the conversations. Enjoy each other, the fellowship.”

LeGrand also remarked about the long process, made more difficult by the pandemic plus supply chain issues and inflation.

“I’m so thankful to be here today because it wouldn’t be the story if it was easy,” LeGrand said. “I’m glad to be able to have all these amazing people here because you guys have supported me, literally, from the time I was five years old in town through college to where I am today. And I would not be who I am today without this community.”

Following his remarks, the countdown was on from 10 down, as McCormac and Murphy each held an end of the oversized scissors and the ribbon was cut to officially begin the next chapter of LeGrand’s amazing story here in the Garden State.

“Thank you so much for being a part of the journey and sticking with us. And now, welcome to our humble abode, LeGrand Coffee House,” LeGrand said.