Seven Mile Beach Landmark, Henny’s Prepares Benefit for Last Call Nov. 30

STONE HARBOR –– Loyal patrons of Henny’s Restaurant will face last call Nov. 30 as the restaurant closes its doors and retires its namesake.
Henny’s property was sold earlier this year to Dr. John Sprandio, who is building the Shelter Haven Resort, a combined hotel-restaurant-bar-spa on the Henny’s property and at the vacant lot, across Third Avenue, at the corner of the Shelter Haven Basin.
Fourth-generation owners, Steve and Gary Blum, cousins, have worked at the family business their entire lives.
“Since we were 13 years old we would help clean the kitchen,” Steve said.
Long hours of hard work and commitment to the family business became tradition as Henny’s evolved as part of the borough’s identity.
It all started with John and Louise Blum, who moved from Gloucester to Stone Harbor in 1931 and founded the original family restaurant. The restaurant was not named Henny’s until their son, Henny Blum Sr., was born.
The couple affectionately called the original 96th Street property the “Tent.” The restaurant was moved to its current location at 97th and Third Avenue in 1935.
According to Henny’s Web site, John was a renowned cook whose clam chowder and snapper soup recipes were pursued by an undisclosed major soup manufacturer.
His deviled crab and deviled clam recipes continue to be served at the restaurant.
Louise tended bar at the “Old Heidelburg” until she was over 70 years old.
After John died in 1941, Henny Sr., second generation and namesake of the establishment, took summers off from working for the Pennsylvania Railroad to run his mother’s business with his wife, Tillie.
Henny’s interior and exterior was renovated in the late 1940s and early 1950s with a refaced outside and a new bar with nautical décor.
In 1963, the third generation, Norman and Henny Blum Jr. assumed responsibility for their father’s business. They bought the adjacent property in 1964.
Henny’s success seems to be the result of its dedicated and talented personnel throughout the years.
George Johnson entertained customers at the keyboard for 23 years.
Bob Sullivan led the kitchen as head chef for over 30 years.
Bartender Tom Jones served drinks for 29 years and Paul Gilligan has served Henny’s customers since 1979.
Arlene McMonigle and Dot Doran worked behind the scenes in the kitchen for over 35 years. It seems employees knew they were a part of something special.
The final owners Steve and Gary took reign of the business in 1993 and expanded the dining room and added a take-out window in 2005.
Henny’s will celebrate 70 years of tradition Nov. 30 with a last call party from 1-9 p.m.
Open bar, buffet, and entertainment from the Seabillies band and karaoke with Johnny Petillo will be provided for a $30 donation to the Middle Township High School athletics program.
“Both mine and Gary’s sons are involved in Middle Township sports and they always seem to need money for something,” he said.
“We’ll get everyone together from the many years before we head out for the holidays,” Steve said.
“The time was right and the business environment has changed; we’ve talked about this for many years, it wasn’t a sudden decision,” Steve said.
Steve said he plans to keep active and spend time with family.
“We’ve been so busy, I’d like to be more family-oriented,” he said.
“I’ll miss the customers the most. I’ve been involved in the community for about 30 years and learned when certain people come to the shore at the same time every year. I got to know when to expect them. We’ve made thousands of friends.”
Steve said once Henny’s closes he is going to take time to consider his next move.
“I’m too young to retire so I’ll keep active and move on to a new chapter in life,” he said.
Steve said the Shelter Haven Resort would likely benefit the borough.
“(Sprandio) has got many good ideas for the town in the off-season through weddings and banquets. I know many merchants are anxious for the resort,” Steve said.
“We will miss it,” he said.
Contact Truluck at (609) 886-8600 ext. 24 or at: ltruluck @cmcherald.com.