MANASQUAN — This story has a happy ending. On Saturday, May 24, Gregg Allen proposed to the love of his life, Melanie Walsh, at BookTowne on Main Street in Manasquan.
“Mel loves to read and we always find ourselves popping into any local bookstore we come across. I knew I wanted to be local for the proposal so after doing some quick research online, I came across BookTowne,” Gregg said.
The couple currently resides in Ocean Township and over Memorial Day weekend, like thousands of other vacationers and visitors, took a trip to Manasquan. The couple met on a dating app when they both resided in Red Bank, discovering a mutual affinity for a simple pleasure, (sushi). Over two-and-a-half years later, the couple traveled to Main Street to write the next chapter in their story.
After identifying BookTowne roughly a month before the fateful day, Gregg said he met the store’s owner, Peter Albertelli, whom he communicated with to make the day possible.
“I communicated with Peter and with each conversation I was so happy that I chose to have this memorable event at BookTowne. Peter made the planning easy and I appreciated his ideas and generosity throughout the process,” Gregg said.
Albertelli told The Coast Star, “Anytime that BookTowne can spread the love, we jump all over it and we’re happy to do so. I hope it’s a memory that they’ll always cherish.”
The couple traveled to Manasquan with plans for lunch with Gregg’s brother Corey and his wife, Gerriann. While driving down Main Street searching for a parking spot, Melanie said, “I spotted BookTowne and told him we were definitely stopping in there after brunch. If there’s a bookstore in a small, cute town, I always need to check it out.”
What seemed like a holiday weekend trip to Manasquan’s Main Street to Melanie was actually a months-long prepared plan by Gregg to find the right place to propose to his future fiancée.
After parking, Gregg told Melanie that Corey and Geriann hadn’t yet made it to Main Street, allowing the couple to pop into BookTowne.
“He pulled me into BookTowne and walked me to the side room where he had everything set, including a photographer. I truly had no idea, I was shocked. I am extremely hard to surprise and I give him all the credit in the world for pulling it off without a hitch and making me feel like the luckiest girl in the world,” Melanie said.
Outside of BookTowne, Mike Harold, a Manasquan-based chalk artist, designed a personalized mural outside the store reminding Mel of her two options to Gregg’s most important question. On the day of the proposal, Albertelli gave the happy couple BookTowne merchandise and a gift card in honor of the momentous occasion.
“BookTowne is truly the best and I had an unbelievable experience from start to finish. I can’t wait until we go back soon to shop for some books and say hello to the BookTowne crew in our now and forever special place,” Gregg said.
After she said yes, the couple strolled to The Committed Pig for their reservation which Gregg said, “was different from what Mel expected,” with family awaiting the newly engaged couple. The two enjoyed the rest of the weekend celebrating in Asbury Park with some of Melanie’s friends before getting away to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, where they spent the rest of Memorial Day weekend celebrating their engagement.
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