Nestled on a peninsula that juts into the serpentine Navesink River, Red Bank in Monmouth County is regarded by many as "the hippest town in New Jersey."

Mixing equal parts of Manhattan's So Ho, renowned for its ultra chic art galleries and trendy dining experiences, with the aura of Newport's high-end boutiques, Red Bank has become a day-trippers' utopia.

Fifty-four year old Guy Johnson, owner of the Red Bank Antique Center, shakes his head and chuckles over the irony of "the hippest" description. Less than 20 years ago, people were ready to write off "Dead Bank" and a cloud of pessimism cloaked the entire area. "For rent" signs replaced merchandise displays, spiking to vacancy rate of 35 percent.

One day, the exact date only Ed McKenna remembers, he overheard his neighbor lie about where he lived. In an instant McKenna vowed to "change that."

The local attorney ran for mayor, won and promptly set to work- replace the Planning Board, reversed a one-way street to attract a prominent business, condemned a proposed condo site to create a public park by the waterfront and drafted a blueprint for a Special Improvement District (SID), where businessmen agreed to impose taxes on themselves to underwrite cosmetic upgrades.

Some of those upgrades included stone pavers, flower baskets hanging from newly installed art décor style streetlights, trees and potted plants.

The goal was to create a cleaner, more visually appealing hub, one vibrant enough to fend off the stiff competition posed by surrounding malls, and mega store shopping centers. SID was eventually renamed Red Bank RiverCenter and Tricia Rumola named director.

Rumola explained, "The revitalization really began to take hold in late 1998 and steadily improved. It wasn't one big boom, but rather the community's support and the belief of private investors and grants that created the total streetscape."

Physical appearances are essential, but more important is the contagious enthusiasm and camaraderie shared among the mostly independently owned business proprietors. These feelings unconsciously seep into every conversation.

Kimberly Landau, owner of CoCo Pari, is a prime example. Inspired during a vacation at Miami Beach's South Beach, Kimberly was eating at her favorite Red Bank restaurant, The Bistro, when she hatched a "whole new concept" that became CoCo Pari in 1999.

"It was more than just creating a store, I felt like I was taking part in the town's renaissance. Red Bank has plenty of restaurants but little high end retail before the arrival of CoCo Pari", said Landau, whose customers find designer labels including D&G, Catherine Malandrino, Valentino Red, Mandalay, Anna Molinari, Jimmy Choo and Yves Saint Laurent in her shop.

"We stay open until 11pm on the weekends. People love to shop after they've finished dining. On Saturday nights you'll find 50 to 100 couples in the store, shopping, sipping cocktails and having fun. It's like a party", Landau observed.

Nearby is Marisa… The Art of Apparel, a treasure chest of exquisite clothing. Wedding art with practicality, selections range from sophisticated eveningwear to trendy causal, along with vintage bags and shawls.

A serious departure from the sophisticated ambiance of neighboring upscale boutiques is the Funk and Standard Variety Store, a visionary combination of vintage clothing store, five-and-dime and neighborhood apothecary.

Among the indigenous stores is Kevin Smith's Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash, an emporium for serious comic book collectors. The New Jersey director parlayed his work experiences at the Quick Stop convenience store on Route 36 into the 1994 cult classic "Clerks". Directly across the street is Jack's Music Shoppe, manned by a sales staff that prides itself on being repositories for obscure musical memorabilia.

Under one roof, the Galleria, a former uniform factory/warehouse has been reincarnated into a home for trendy restaurants, boutiques, offices, dance studio and billiards hall.

Red Bank boasts 11 jewelry stores with Tiffany's soon joining the ranks. Classic and timeless, family-operated firms like Ballews Reussilles and Leonardo Jewelers enjoy impeccable reputations based on quality and trust.

Joel McFadden Designs on White Street is a departure from Tradition, Jennifer McFadden, Joel's wife and partner explained, "We don't have an inventory to speak of. All of Joel's work is custom made."

Prior to relocating to Red Bank in November 2005, the couple set up shop in Greenfield, Ma for 11 years. Attracting a customer base that extended to Florida and Montana, the goldsmith garnered numerous accolades including a coveted Forbes Enterprise Award.

Jennifer, a non-practicing attorney, admitted, " We shopped Red Bank many times, looking at the other stores, making sure there wasn't another business doing something similar, before we decided. There's a very healthy traffic here and the people have refined tastes, allowing us to use higher-grade materials. Joel mainly works with 14 and 18 karat gold, platinum and unusual and colorful stones".

Whether it's a special night on the town or a bride's special day. Jonathan Salon promises to make its clients look like royalty. Backed by 24 years of international training and experience, owner Jonathan Caputi's portfolio included such celebrities as Lady Diana, supermodel Estella Warren, and "The Young and the Restless" star Sharon Case.

Aside from possessing Mastery of Color Certificate from L'Oreal Professional Coiffure Paris, Caputi offers his clients a full array of services, including lavish eyelash and hair extensions, makeup and photography.

Leave the passport at home. "Foodies" can journey around the globe without stepping beyond the town's 1.7 mile square perimeter. Continental cuisine extends from France, courtesy of La Petite France, and Bienvenue, to fork tender authentic German sauerbraten found at The Little Kraut.

More than a dozen Italian eateries like Basil T's Brewery and Italian Grill start with traditionally handmade ingredients like mozzarella and raviolis and add their own ingenuous spins to signature selections like classic Napoletana pizza.

In May 1985, light years before tourists began flocking to Red Bank, Front Street Trattoria owners Michael and Valerie Auffiero embarked on a personal crusade to introduce patrons to items like pesto, Balsamic vinegar and cappuccino. Their efforts succeeded with the establishment of added locations.

The healthy freshness and appeal of Mediterranean fare draws long lines to place like 2 Senza, Dish, Osteria Dante and Thyme Square, where recently returned head chef James Coronato melds' regional Italian, with influences from Spain, Portugal, southern France, northern African and Greece."

For a quick pick-me-up, salads or sandwiches, local storeowners have made Zebu Forno a popular meeting spot.

At five-star rated Restaurant Nicholas, owners Nicholas and Melissa Harary added 30 more seats to the airy dining room dressed in beiges and tans with tall windows and bar of polished terrazzo in February 2006. Restaurant Nicholas is a compatible match to other high end dining destinations like Ashes, Buona Sera, Molly Pitcher Inn, and Red, while Two If By Sea deserves its reputation for superior seafood.

Whether it's a solution for first date jitters or a catalyst for animated conservation, The Melting Pot easily fulfills both purposes over a fondue pot with entrees portioned for two.

Introducing the Seattle-based craze to the East Coast, No Ordinary Joe moved into town in 1993. It was later joined House of Coffee, a cavernous space with exposed ductwork, concrete columns and sacks of coffee strung about the floor, big band music playing in the background, and 40 varieties of coffee available.

Heightening any dining experience, the first hint of spring triggered an outdoor exodus with more than two-dozen eateries unpacking tables, chairs and umbrellas encouraging two warm weather pastimes-al fresco dining and people watching.

Numbered among them is Ashes Cigar Club and Restaurant. Tallo designed for individuals who truly enjoy fine cigars and the lifestyle that accompanies them, there's an 800 square foot cedar lined, walk in humidor, offering more than 150,000 cigars, while the restaurant menu is equally extensive.

Osteria Dante is reminiscent of a Victorian outdoor café throughout the warmer months, whether one chooses a prosciutto and Buffalo mozzarella sandwich with arugula and pesto sauce for lunch, or the larger sampler of oysters, clams, lump crabmeat, shrimp, calamari, tuna and salmon to share with friends.

Fresh out of high school, Johnson went to work at the Red Bank Antique Center. Promising " all things old and rare" the business on West Front Street eventually spills over into three buildings and mushroomed to 100 dealers. A solid mahogany armoire can still command a five figure price tag, but Johnson is a bit disgruntled.

Although Johnson readily admits the town is thriving, he notes " It's bringing in a different kind of customer. Younger people are less into antiques. They don't want Hummels and art glass. They'd rather collect Star Wars."

Nevertheless Red Bank remains home to approximately 150 antiques dealers. Johnson credits accessibility. " We're only 20 minutes from the shore and the trains and buses from New York City stop right here."