July 2019

EXIT ZERO
JULY 2019 « $7.95

Rosemans Lane, Cape May
New 4 BR/3.5 BA single homes with water views!
Opportunity to become
Paddle Club Member, enjoy two pools, and Spicer Club Room!
Boat slips to 70’ available for additiotnal fees!
Starting at $799,500!
Call today for architectural renderings and specifications!
609.884.1300
Todd H. deSatnick / Broker of Record
www.deSatnickRealEstate.com
Located at 1001 Lafayette Street “The First Light in Town” Cape May

C L A S S I C T A S T E S W I T H A
M O D E R N T W I S T O N
H I S T O R I C W A S H I N G T O N
S T R E E T
SHUTTER
MOMENTS
p h o t o g r a p h y
W A S H I N G T O N I N N
8 0 1 W A S H I N G T O N S T R E E T
W A S H I N G T O N I N N . C O M
6 0 9 8 8 4 5 6 9 7
“Best Pizza” Cape May County 2019 trenton times

about us
editor, publisher & designer
Jack Wright
jack@exitzero.us
general manager
Cathrine O’Brien
cathrine@exitzero.us
contributing editor
Diane Stopyra
diane@exitzero.us
historical editor
Ben Miller
creative consultant
Victor Grasso
Serving Lunch & Dinner Daily
contributing photographers
Suzanne Kulperger, Aleksey Moryakov,
Jessica Orlowicz, Charles Riter
contributing writers
Bill Barlow, Catherine Dugan, David Gray,
Terry O’Brien, Tom Sims, Susan Tischler
exit zero color magazine is published four times a year.
Annual subscription is $32.50. To subscribe, call 609-770-8479
or visit ezstore.us
Published by Exit Zero
110 Sunset Boulevard
Cape May, NJ 08204
Telephone: 609-770-8479
Fax: 609-770-8481
E-mail: info@exitzero.us
Website: exitzero.us / Online store: ezstore.us
printed in the usa
Outdoor, Pet-Friendly Dining Too!
(609) 884-9119
322 Washington Street Mall, Cape May
www.tishasfinedining.com
exit zero 2 july

GOOD PUB FOOD IN COOL CAPE MAY!
A classic since 1926
Est. 2014
A new Irish
classic!
ON THE MALL
(609) 884-3459
“Best clam chowder and
lobster roll in New Jersey.”
- TripAdvisor
ON THE MALL
(609) 770-8559
“Everything we sampled was right on -
from wings to onion rings.
Exactly what we were
looking for!”
- TripAdvisor
Check our Facebook pages
for live entertainment!
exit zero 3 july

inside this issue
editor’s letter 8
It’s all about the seasons.
quick chat: michel gras 10
Cape May’s master baker? Mais oui!
the ultimate food & drink chart 14
Five-page guide... eat your way through Cape May!
events around town 27
All the happenings you need to know about.
the original 34
Keith Laudeman on life at The Lobster House.
the ultimate cape may bargain 44
How to spend $20 and save $400 while having an absolute blast!
art of cape may 54
A portfolio of some very talented local artists.
once upon a time on the mall 64
A fascinating at Washington Street through the decades.
every board tells a story 72
If Cape May’s surfboards could talk.
shack attack 80
A peek inside Cape May’s newest boutique hotel.
the big activities guide 92
Don’t leave home without it.
drink the cape 108
Six-page guide to our wineries, breweries and distilleries.
the definitive cape may trolley guide 115
From ghosts to mansions... it’s all here!
creating a new rhythm 120
Meet Cape May’s newest innkeeping couple.
property of the month 126
A charming modern Victorian near the beach.
picture of the month 128
Our Lady Star of the Sea, by Charles Riter.
COVER PHOTO SUZANNE KULPERGER
Fabulous Food & Cool Cocktails in a Casual Pub Atmosphere!
HAPPY HOUR
Daily from 3-6pm and
All Day Sunday!
3729 BAYSHORE ROAD, NORTH CAPE MAY | (609) 889-7000 | 5WESTPUB.COM
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LUNCH & DINNER DAILY
Kitchen Hours 11:30am-11pm
The Patio is Open Daily 4pm

More To “Like” Every Summer!
CAPE MAY’S NEW ICONIC BEACH FRONT DESTINATION
17,000 + square footage of Meeting Space • Hemingway’s Restaurant & Nightclub
Award Winning Weddings with spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean & Jersey Cape
165 tastefully appointed guest rooms & suites • Olympic Size indoor & outdoor swimming pools
More to “Like” Every Summer!
Plus so much more!
Our family-friendly hotel has all the amenities and activities your family needs
to have an unforgettable vacation - all mere grandcapemay.com steps away from • the 609.884.5611 beach!
Oceanfront 1045 Beach Ave, Cape May, NJ 08204 Oceanfront • grandcapemay.com
@ 1045 Beach Ave • Cape May NJ
609.884.5611 • resercvations@grandcapemay.com • www.grandcapemay.com
/GrandWeddings @GrandHotelCMNJ The Grand Hotel Cape May GrandCapeMay
exit zero 5 july

Stairway to Lobster Heaven
The stairs leading to the second-floor dining room at The Lobster House. See page 34 for an
entertaining and informative insight into this longtime Cape May dining institution.
Photograph by Suzanne Kulperger

editor’s letter
You’ve heard of six degrees of separation. In
Cape May, there’s a much narrower margin.
Putting together this issue, I figured there were
only about two degrees separating folks on this
magical little island. For this issue, we wanted to
focus on a few story ideas — people who were making great
art in Cape May, the stories behind the surfboards that decorate
various establishments, the inside scoop on one of our
most beloved landmarks, The Lobster House, and a sneak
peek inside Cape May’s newest hotel, the Boarding House.
Turns out that surfing and art are the threads running
through this issue. First of all, one of our featured artists,
Mike DeMusz (Art of Cape May on page 54), happens to
have painted a LOT of surfboards over the years, so he also
pops up in our story, Every Board Tells A Story (page 72). As
for the Lobster House, owner Keith Laudeman discusses,
among other things, the world of fun he had while tackling
the waves in Fiji (The Original, page 34). And as for the
Boarding House, owner Jonathan Hirsch also features in our
surfboard story because they’re a key part of the design ethos
at the new Hirsch family hotel.
I like that we’re helping to push the idea of Cape May as
a place that encourages surfing and art. Although the explosion
of Victoriana in the 1970s and 1980s was crucial to the
rebirth of this town (and remains central to the Cape May
Proof that the camera
really CAN lie, especially
when it’s in the supercapable
hands of
photographer Suzanne
Kulperger, who shot much
of the photography in
this issue and who made
me look like I’m really
comfortable with horses.
Which I’m not. I love horses
— I just have close to zero
experience with them. This
beautiful guy is Remmi,
also pictured on the cover
with Cape May Carriage
Company co-owner Mario
Lattuca Bonamico. Remmi
isn’t really snuggling up to
me — he’s sneakily trying
to locate the umpteenth
carrot I was about to
feed him in return for
his co-operation in this
photo-op.
exit zero 8 july
story today), Cape May needs to have more than one quiver
in its bow in order to continue to attract a diverse and energetic
group of visitors AND people who settle down here
permanently.
Take all those Victorian buildings, those beautiful,
award-winning beaches, the surfing and art communities,
the great restaurants, an improving crop of cool accommodations
and you have a place that provides both a great
vacation and a great place to hang your hat. Yes, we could
seriously do with a proper grocery store, a much-improved
biking infrastructure to ease traffic congestion (and keep
riders safe) and, for sure, we could use a LOT more kids
growing up here. And, if I really wanted to dream, an actual
railway that arrived here from Philly and New York City...
but this little place has a lot going for it. Read what the artists
say in this issue and you’ll hear them talk about a place that’s
inspiring and welcoming. That’s a great thing because where
you have artists, you have innovation, energy and great ideas
—and usually, they inspire restaurants and bars to up their
game, too. And that’s never a bad thing.
So, I’m going to raise the perfect Manhattan I just made
and toast the artists and surfers on this island. The people
who make us that little bit hipper. And happier.
Have a great July. I’ll see you again in August.
JACK WRIGHT Editor/Publisher

LUNCH • DINNER • LATE NIGHT • KIDS MENU
BURGERS • FLATBREADS • SEAFOOD • FRESH SALADS
COCKTAILS • BEER • WINE
20 BEERS ON TAP
4 WINES ON TAP
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
FISH TANKS
exit zero 9 july

A QUICK CHAT
French baker Michel Gras is the
owner of Chez Michel on Park
Boulevard, known for artful cakes
and croissants. Here’s what he
had to say about a lifetime of
kneading, proofing and bringing
culinary joy to Cape Island.
interview diane stopyra
photograph suzanne kulperger
What’s on your head in this photo? A cake.
Edible? Of course!
What kind? Vanilla with fondant icing. The
photographer, Suzanne, it was her idea.
Did you eat it? No. But we could!
Where in France are you from? About an
hour-and-a-half outside of Paris.
Is that where you learned to bake? When
I was 16, my dad was a chef who worked with a
baker, and he asked the baker if he’d be willing
to take me on as an apprentice. It was a bootcamp.
The baker was a World War II veteran and
tough. The first thing he said to us was, “You go
to school for eight hours. You’re not going to do
that here. You’re going to do what I tell you.” We
worked closer to 12 hours a day. And we lived
in a bedroom attic. Other kids climbed out the
window to escape.
You didn’t have to go to school? One day
a week, for the basics. There was a contract
between the baker and the education system.
Did you fall in love with baking right away,
or…? Are you kidding? You think you fall in love
with getting up at 4am and getting yelled at? For
the first three years, I didn’t learn as much about
baking as I did about being a good worker, which
is how I got the job here.
When did you come to the States? In 1984.
I was 24. I responded to an ad from the owner
of a building on the Washington Street Mall who
was looking for a French baker for his bakery, La
Patisserie. I was hired, and after I’d been there
a short while, they said, “We’ve never seen anyone
work like you.” By the end of the summer,
we worked out a deal and I took over ownership.
Did you speak much English? I couldn’t
even order a beer. You’d get invited to parties,
so I’d be with a very nice group of people at the
Ugly Mug, and they used to serve me cognac. I
didn’t want it, but I couldn’t order anything else.
Actually, this is how I met my wife. She owned a
flower shop on the mall, and the owner of the
La Patisserie building asked her to help me with
my English.
You guys have a 33-year-old son. What
does he do? He’s executive chef at a restaurant
and bar in New Hope, PA. He loves that fast
pace. Baking is not fast. There’s a lot of planning
going on — you’re doing five things at once — but
you have to have patience.
Had you ever heard of Cape May when
you first arrived? No, just New York.
What did you think of it? I worked all the
time, so I wasn’t even thinking of it as a place for
tourists. I still work 15 hours a day.
What time do you get up in the morning?
Between 2:15 and 2:30. I guess that’s why I don’t
get in trouble — I’m always working!
Where else have you worked in Cape May?
Well, I was on the mall for 25 years. I left when
they sold the building. Then I met Lucas Manteca,
chef at The Ebbitt Room at the time, so I
worked there for about a year. Then I worked
for Lucas at the Red Store. Memorial Day was
the one-year-anniversary of Chez Michel.
Do you miss France? I go back to visit in the
winter. It’s a beautiful country, but I have a large
family and it’s mostly a race to see everyone.
Do you feel like a local when you’re there,
or a tourist who’s been totally Americanized?
I’m happy to come back to Cape May — how
about that?
How much of what you do is science and
how much is art? It starts with chemistry —
knowing your ingredients and their reactions
and how a fraction of second in timing changes
everything. Then comes the hard part — putting
everything together and designing. With wedexit
zero 10 july

Voted 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America for 2018 by OpenTable
Weddings | Rehearsals | Bridal Showers | Special Occasions
Serving dinner 7 nights a week
Sunday-Friday 5:30pm
Saturday 5:00pm
$40 Eearly Seating Prix Fixe
Available Sunday-Friday
*Excluding Holiday Weekends *
1301 Beach Avenue, Cape May
609.884.9090
www.petershieldsinn.com
exit zero 11 july

ding cakes, I like when a couple tells me, “Do
your thing.” They have to be very trusting… I
tell them I’m going to go where I’m going to go.
I never know until it’s finished what it’s going to
look like, and it’s very hard for me to duplicate a
cake once it’s done.
How many wedding cakes have you made
in your career? I can’t even imagine. My biggest
year was 100, between May and October.
What’s the most labor-intensive thing you
make? I did a bubble cake for Congress Hall —
it was like blowing glass, except you’re blowing
sugar in the shape of a bubble. Around here,
moisture in the air makes it very difficult.
How long did it take? About a week. I do
cakes at the end of the day when no one is
around. I need that peace.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever
made? I used to make fantasy bread. It looked
like a lobster, a crab, a dog. At Thanksgiving,
we did turkey rolls out of bread. At Christmas,
Santa Claus. One time we did an armadillo. For
a bar mitzvah once, I made a cake that was a
treasure chest — spent the whole night on it.
When you’re creating something, you can’t just
stop and say, “Okay, that’s enough. I worked
three hours on it.” It doesn’t work like that.
Is what you do an innate skill or is it something
people can learn? I taught pastry making
at Atlantic Cape Community College and I
always thought that creativity is something people
can learn, but there are people who can’t.
Maybe you can make a good cake batter, but to
create, you have to see what’s not there.
What’s the secret to the perfect croissant?
Trust me, I keep working on it every day.
It’s still tricky. The only way to figure it out is to
keep trying it at home. And then maybe you
realize why no one makes croissants! I have
to say, sometimes they’re perfect, and sometimes…
well, people seem to like them even
when I don’t think they’re the best of the best.
Do you have any help at all? I have a
helper, my right hand. She’s my cake girl. It’s nice
because she can handle a lot of the Disney characters.
I’ve lost track of the cartoon world.
How many baked goods do you eat? I love
a brioche or a croissant for breakfast at 5am —
usually it’s a day old because mine are not baked
yet. For dessert, strawberry shortcake.
So you’re taste-testing every day? Yes. I
love it all, but I have to limit myself, because I
have to stick around for a little bit longer.
What’s your goal? I want to be small. We’re
not doing wholesale; we’re just taking care of
our store customers and our weddings. It’s hard
to find good help. And, anyway, no one’s going to
do it the way you’re going to do it.
7 DAYS A WEEK
4:30PM-10PM
Reservations
609-884-0200
Free Parking
OPEN DAILY YEAR ROUND
WINE TASTING & WINERY TOURS
WINE-CENTRIC FOOD MENU
SANGRIA SUNDAYS • ROOTSTOCK
LIVE MUSIC EVERY WEEKEND
Bringing you the fresh, unique flavors of
Italy in a charming, welcoming atmosphere.
Laugh • Dine • Enjoy
311 MANSION STREET, CAPE MAY
ICCARACAPEMAY.COM
hawkhavenvineyard.com • 609.846.7347
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HARRY’S OCEAN BAR & GRILLE
“One of the Best Places to Drink Outdoors” — Philadelphia Magazine
“Best Rooftop Vibes” — SJ Magazine
serving breakfast, lunch & dinner
live music 7 days, 4pm - 8pm
FOOD • FAMILY • TRADITION
BEACH AT MADISON AVENUE • CAPE MAY, NJ • 609.884.2779 • HARRYSCAPEMAY.COM
Photos by Jessica orlowicz
CAPE MAY’S ONLY BEACHFRONT LIQUOR STORE
BEACH AT MADISON AVENUE, CAPE MAY, NJ • (609) 884-6114 • MONTREALBEACHRESORT.COM
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THE ULTIMATE CAPE MAY FOOD & DRINK CHART
What you
need to
know about
the food
and vibe
Meals
served
Bar or
BYOB?
Should I
book?
Food for
kids?
Other
details
ALEATHEA’S
7 Ocean Street, Cape May
(609) 884-5555, extension 226
www.innofcapemay.com
Excellent food at the glorious old Inn of Cape May.
There’s a cozy-but-elegant bar with access to the
oceanfront patio, which is pet-friendly. Check out the
antique-filled lobby first.
B, L, D
FULL
BAR
YES YES
u b
H U
AVALON COFFEE
7 Gurney, Cape May, 898-8088,
3823 Bayshore, North Cape May
(609) 846-0040
Superior coffee and healthy food that’s perfect for
breakfast and lunch. First-class wraps, sandwiches and
bagels, along with a good range of smoothies and cold
drinks.
B, L N/A NO YES
b H
BACKSTREET
600 Park Blvd, West Cape May
(609) 884-7660
www.backstreetcapemaynj.com
Downhome cooking, a laidback vibe and superior
desserts in this gem, a few minutes from Cape May.
They have plenty of free parking and delicious nightly
specials.
B, D
BYOB YES YES
u b
H
BAREFOOT BAR & RESTAURANT
510 Beach Avenue, Cape May
(609) 884-3500
www.marquiscapemay.com
Belly up to a bar with one of the best views in town.
At the Marquis de Lafayette Hotel, overlooking the
Atlantic. Fun drinks and treats such as watermelon
salad, quesadillas, flatbread pizzas, nachos and more.
L, D
FULL
BAR
NO YES
b
H
BEACH PLUM BAKERY & CAFÉ
484 West Perry Street, Cape May
(609) 770-8261
www.thewestendgarage.com
BEACH PLUM FARM KITCHEN
140 Stevens, West Cape May
(609) 602-0128
www.beachplumfarmcapemay.com
This cozy-industrial café features some of the
most exciting doughnuts you’ve tasted, made with
ingredients from Beach Plum Farm. Add La Colombe
draft latte, and you’ve got a coffee lover’s dream.
Enjoy the quiet beauty of this 62-acre farm in West
Cape May and then indulge in the farm-to-table treats
for breakfast or lunch. The soups, salads, sandwiches
and juices are superb.
B, L N/A NO YES
b
H
B, L BYOB NO YES
u b
H U
BLUE PIG TAVERN
251 Beach Avenue, Cape May
(609) 884-8422
www.caperesorts.com
Many of its menu items are coming from the local
Beach Plum Farm. The Pig serves classic tavern food
with quite a a twist or two along the way.
B, L, D
FULL
BAR
YES YES
u b
H
BOILER ROOM
251 Beach Avenue,
(609) 884-8422
www.caperesorts.com
Congress Hall’s chic basement nightclub — all bare
metal and brickwork — now has a brick oven serving
thin-crust pizza, and has added a line of draft beers.
D
FULL
BAR
NO NO
u
H
BREAKFAST IN THE SKY
Mariner’s Landing Pier, Wildwood
(609) 846-1624
www.moreyspiers.com
Breakfast experiences like this don’t come along
frequently, so grab the chance while you can! Enjoy a
gourmet breakfast while gently rotating through the
air on Morey’s Piers giant ferris wheel! Call to reserve.
B N/A YES YES
b
THE BROWN ROOM
251 Beach Avenue, Cape May
(609) 884-8422
www.caperesorts.com
Congress Hall’s lounge was recently given a very cool
renovation, with a larger, circular bar. The decor is
elegant, the drinks are great, the staff attentive, and
the place just says “classy.”
Bar
Menu
FULL
BAR
NO NO
u
CABANAS
429 Beach Avenue, Cape May
(609) 884-4800
www.cabanasonthebeach.com
The party is here — always warm and friendly in this
lively beachfront bar, featuring great food and some of
the best live bands around.
B, L, D
FULL
BAR
YES YES
b
H
CAPE MAY FISH MARKET
408 Washington Street, Cape May
(609) 770-3790
www.capemayfishmarket.com
Comfy joint in the middle of the mall, featuring a raw
bar, surf-n-turf entrées, sandwiches and burgers, plus
outside tables for some great people-watching!
L, D BYOB NO YES
b
H
SYMBOLS KEY u Onsite parking b Handicap accessible
H Takeout available U Dog-friendly patio
exit zero 14 july

“The Nail,” as it’s known by the locals, is the famed iconic surfer bar
and restaurant that made a name for itself in the ‘70s. It’s right here in
Cape May, just steps away from the beach. Back in the day lifeguards,
surfers and beautiful beach bunnies gathered around the wood
bar that was rumored to be the longest in all of Cape May.
NOW IT’S YOUR TURN TO JOIN IN THE FUN
FOR BREAKFAST, LUNCH OR DINNER
Live Music | Open Through December
205 BEACH AVENUE 609.884.0017 RUSTYNAILCAPEMAY.COM #THERUSTYNAIL
exit zero 15 july

THE ULTIMATE CAPE MAY FOOD & DRINK CHART
What you
need to
know about
the food
and vibe
Meals
served
Bar or
BYOB?
Should I
book?
Food for
kids?
Other
details
CARNEY’S
Beach and Jackson, Cape May
(609) 884-4424
www.carneyscapemaynj.com
Live music on the weekends, great early bird and
happy hour specials, and casual fare that’s reliable... all
across the street from the beach.
L, D FULL
BAR
NO
YES
b H
THE CARRIAGE HOUSE
1048 Washington Street
At the Emlen Physick Estate
(609) 884-5111
The Carriage House offers everything from hearty
wraps, salads, quiche and paninis to classic teas. Best
of all is the location — the gorgeous Emlen Physick
Estate.
L BYOB YES YES
u
b
CRAB HOUSE
Two Mile Landing, Ocean Drive
(609) 522-1341
www.twomilelanding.com
Owned by a commercial fishing family, the Crab
House serves the freshest of seafood. The
waterfront views and live entertainment are great
bonuses!
L, D BAR NO YES
u b
H
DELANEY’S IRISH BAR & GRILL
400 Washington Mall, Cape May
(609) 770-8559
www.delaneyscapemay.com
Irish comfort food is just a small part of the huge
menu at this Irish-style bar and restaurant occupying
a prime corner spot on the mall. Naturally, there’s
Guinness on tap, too.
L, D BAR NO YES
b
H
THE EBBITT ROOM
25 Jackson Street,
(609) 884-5700
www. virginiahotel.com
Enjoy your meal on the Ebbitt Room porch,
overlooking tree-lined Jackson Street, or enjoy the
simple beauty of this dining room, one of the finest in
South Jersey.
D BAR YES NO
u
E. M. HEMINGWAY’S
1045 Beach Avenue, Cape May
(609) 884-5611
www.hemingwayscapemay.com
Casual and family-friendly, E. M. Hemingway’s offers
great seafood, prime beef and nightly specials. Enjoy
their happy hours daily from 4-7pm and weekend
DJs.
B, L, D BAR YES YES u b
H
EXIT ZERO FILLING STATION
110 Sunset Boulevard, Cape May
(609) 770-8479
www.exitzero.us
Fill your car at the pumps, fill your shopping bag with
cool merchandise and fill up your belly with great
curries, some of the best burgers around, and two
bars offering cool cocktails and local draft beers.
B, L, D BAR NO YES
u b
H U
FINS BAR & GRILLE
142 Decatur Street, Cape May
(609) 884-3449
www.finscapemay.com
Really cool decor and exciting food make this newish
restaurant a welcome addition to the local landscape.
It’s located at the former Pilot House, just off the mall.
L, D BAR NO YES
b
H
5 WEST PUB
3729 Bayshore, N. Cape May
(609) 889-7000
www.5westpub.com
410 BANK STREET
410 Bank Street, Cape May
(609) 884-2127
www.410bankstreet.com
JOE’S FISH CO.
25th and Boardwalk, Wildwood
(609) 729-3700
www.moreyspiers.com
A gastropub from the owners of Tisha’s, a Cape May
favorite. Expect exciting dishes, good drinks, and a
scene that’s usually buzzing. A few minutes drive from
town.
After four decades, 410 still one of Cape May’s
finest restaurants, serving food that’s as brilliant and
inventive as ever. Always a lively atmosphere. New this
year: brunch on Sundays!
Enjoy a casual, contemporary meal overlooking the
lights and the action of Surfside Pier in Wildwood. A
great beer list and some seriously good food, including
the crabby pretzel, chicken pot pie and cedar salmon.
L, D BAR YES YES
u b
H U
D BYOB YES YES
u
L, D BAR NO YES b
H
JUMBO’S GRUB & PUB
Mariner’s Pier, Wildwood
(609) 729-3700
www.moreyspiers.com
Indulge in steaks, gourmet pizzas and fun cocktails,
while enjoying wonderful views of the incomparable
Wildwood boardwalk. Try Chef Wally’s famous Cubaninspired
fries and housemade Maryland crab cakes.
L, D FULL
BAR
NO YES b
H
SYMBOLS KEY u Onsite parking b Handicap accessible
H Takeout available U Dog-friendly patio
exit zero 16 july

Harbor View
RESTAURANT, MARINA & BAR
Open for Lunch & Dinner Daily
Breakfast Saturday & Sunday
Mon-Fri 3-6
half-price apps
Voted the best
Happy Hour
in NJ!
954 OCEAN DRIVE, CAPE MAY ¯ 609-884-5444 ¯ HARBORVIEWCAPEMAY.COM
exit zero 17 july

THE ULTIMATE CAPE MAY FOOD & DRINK CHART
What you
need to
know about
the food
and vibe
Meals
served
Bar or
BYOB?
Should I
book?
Food for
kids?
Other
details
HARBOR VIEW
954 Ocean Drive
(609) 884-5444
www.harborviewcapemay.com
A locals’ favorite for a reason. There’s a Key West
vibe, good food, regular entertainment, and the views
are spectacular. Spend the day — or night. Check out
their Burger Mania on Sundays.
B, L, D BAR NO YES u b
H
HARPOONS ON THE BAY
Beach Drive and Browning
(609) 886-5529
www.harpoonhenrys.net
It’s become famous for its sunsets. Sip on a cold beer
or a funky iced cocktail, listen to fun live music, and
watch a beautiful day slip away. And note that the
menu has a LOT of excellent new dishes.
L, D BAR NO YES
u b
H U
HARRY’S OCEAN BAR & GRILLE
Madison & Beach Avenue
(609) 884-2779
www.harryscapemay.com
The Montreal Inn’s restaurant successfully mixes a
friendly, family feel with a stylish oceanfront vibe. And
you’re going to love the renovation, with the indoor/
outdoor bar.
B, L, D BAR YES YES
u b
H U
ICCARA
311 Mansion Street, Cape May
(609) 884-0200
www.iccaracapemay.com
Just steps from the Washington Street Mall, Iccara
Italian Bistro & Seafood brings you the fresh flavors
of Italy in a charming, welcoming atmosphere. D BYOB YES YES u b
IRON PIER CRAFT HOUSE
429 Beach Avenue, Cape May
(609) 884-1925
www.ironpiercrafthouse.com
Remember Martini Beach, above Cabanas? Well,
Iron Pier is there now. Same owners, but a delicious
new menu, great new craft beer list, and the decor
got a nice spruce-up, too!
D
FULL
BAR YES YES
H
LA VERANDAH
107-113 Grant Street, Cape May
(609) 884-5868
www.hotelalcott.com
The ambience at this restaurant in the Hotel Alcott
may be Victorian, but the fare is contemporary
American. An excellent three-star restaurant with an
attentive staff.
D BYOB YES YES
b
THE LOBSTER HOUSE
Fisherman’s Wharf, Cape May
(609) 884-8296
www.thelobsterhouse.com
Take-out, fish market, restaurant, raw bar... the
Lobster House has it all. Drinks on the Schooner
American, watching the boats before dinner, is a
lovely experience.
B, L, D BAR NO YES
u b
H U
LOUISA’S CAFÉ
104 Jackson Street
Cape May
(609) 884-5882
This tiny, loveable spot has been a favorite for four
decades. Expect fresh, simple, delicious food, using
produce from the local Beach Plum Farm.
D BYOB YES NO b
LUCKY BONES
1200 Route 109, Cape May
(609) 884-BONE
www.luckybonesgrill.com
A huge hit and locals’ favorite for a reason. Excellent
food, great bar vibe, superb service. Lucky Bones
gets it right every single time.
L, D BAR
For
tables of
eight or
more
YES
u b
H
MAD BATTER
19 Jackson Street
(609) 884-5970
www.madbatter.com
MARIO’S PIZZA
Washington Commons
(609) 884-0085
www.mariosofcapemay.com
It’s the original fine dining restaurant in Cape May.
The food is always creative and the breakfasts and
brunches, hard to beat — hence the lines.
Homemade specialties and secret sauces, from
classic pizza (using homemade dough daily) to
paninis, garlic knots and pasta dishes.
B, L, D BAR YES YES
b
H
L, D BYOB NO YES u b
H
MAYER’S TAVERN
894 3rd Avenue, Cape May
(609) 435-5078
www.mayerstavern.com
The legendary (and infamous) harborfront dive
bar reopened last year, with a smart renovation
undertaken by the Laudeman family. But the
character remains, along with those fried scallops.
L, D FULL
BAR
NO YES u b
H
SYMBOLS KEY u Onsite parking b Handicap accessible
H Takeout available U Dog-friendly patio
exit zero 18 july

exit zero 19 july

THE ULTIMATE CAPE MAY FOOD & DRINK CHART
What you
need to
know about
the food
and vibe
Meals
served
Bar or
BYOB?
Should I
book?
Food for
kids?
Other
details
MERION INN
106 Decatur Street, Cape May
(609) 884-8363
www.merioninn.com
The dim, amber lighting, classic wooden bar, period
fittings and classy staff deliver a special ambience.
Listen to live piano music as you eat, or linger over
expertly made cocktails at the bar.
D
FULL
BAR YES YES u b
H U
OCEAN VIEW
Beach & Grant Avenues
(609) 884-3772
www.oceanviewrestaurant.com
At this oceanfront staple, expect a large menu, full
of classic diner food that’s reasonably priced. Locals
frequent it, and you know that is always a good sign.
B, L, D BYOB NO YES
u b
H
ON THE ROCKS
Cape May – Lewes Ferry,
1200 Lincoln Boulevard,
North Cape May, 1-800-64FERRY
Casual waterfront dining watching the ferry and other
vessels transit the Cape May Canal to and from the
Delaware Bay. There is a very cool vibe at the outdoor
bar.
B, L, D BAR NO YES
u b
H U
OUT THERE COFFEE
315 Ocean Street at
Washington Commons, Cape May
outtherecoffee@gmail.com
OYSTER BAY
615 Lafayette Street
(609) 884-2111
www.oysterbayrestaurantnj.com
This brainchild of thirtysomething couple Nikki and
Craig is a little slice of Colorado in Cape May. Expect
gourmet, imaginative coffee AND teas, along with
ridiculously tasty scratch-made treats.
A lovely dining room, a buzzy separate bar, a new bar
menu, great martinis and classic, generous dishes.
Check out their happy hour from 4-6pm.
B, L N/A NO YES
u b
H
D BAR YES YES u b
H
PETER SHIELDS INN
1301 Beach Avenue, Cape May
(609) 884-9090
www.petershieldsinn.com
The Georgian Revival mansion on Cape May’s
beachfront is magnificent, and the creative modern
American menu matches it all the way. A classy
eating experience.
D BYOB NO NO
H
PIGDOG BEACH BAR & BQ
Mariner’s Pier, Wildwood
(609) 729-3700
www.moreyspiers.com
This new barefoot beach bar in Wildwood is a
dog-friendly, BBQ spot right on the beach. Great
sandwiches and salads, and don’t miss the foot-long
PigDog Dog. Fun cocktails and live music, too.
L, D BAR NO YES
b
U H
QUINCY’S LOBSTER ROLLS
709 Beach Avenue, Cape May
(609) 600-3571
Quincy’s serve great rolls, with generous servings of
Maine lobster, plus there are loads of non-lobster
choices for kids.
L, D N/A NO YES
b
U H
RIO STATION
3505 Route 9 South
Rio Grande
(609) 889-2000
RUSTY NAIL
205 Beach Avenue, Cape May
(609) 884-0017
www.caperesorts.com/rusty-nail
SAPORE ITALIANO
416 South Broadway
West Cape May
(609) 600-1422
SALT WATER CAFE
1231 Route 109, Cape May
(609) 884-2403
www.saltwatercafecapemay.com
With a new menu, Rio Station offers steaks, local
seafood, creative salads, vegetarian options and
an award-winning wine list. Plus 14 beers on tap,
including local crafts.
Coldest beer and coolest vibe in town. The iconic
Rusty Nail is the place to be for a uniquely Cape May
experience. And they even have non-alcoholic brew
for dogs!
Located in a magnificent Victorian mansion, and
the food does it justice. Excellent Italian food and a
lovely family-style ambience.
A fairly new addition to the Cape May food scene.
The harbor setting is mighty fine, and so is the food,
which is freshly prepared. The soups are simply
superb.
B, L, D BAR YES YES
u b
H
B, L, D BAR NO YES
u b
H U
D BYOB YES YES u b
H
B, L, D BYOB N/A YES u b
H U
SYMBOLS KEY u Onsite parking b Handicap accessible
H Takeout available U Dog-friendly patio
exit zero 20 july

award-winning dining
BEST AMERICAN &
TOP 25 RESTAURANTS IN THE STATE
- new jersey monthly
Winner 2018 OpenTable
Diners’ Choice Award
3-course Prix Fixe $39
5pm-6pm
oceanfront porch dining available
Weddings l Rehearsals l Private Parties
BEACH AVENUE & HOWARD STREET
At the Hotel Macomber
609-884-8811
unionparkdiningroom.com
RECENT TRIPADVISOR REVIEWS...
“A dining experience that was perfect.”
“The service was wonderful, as was the
atmosphere. Highly recommended.”
“The food was delicious and the service was
superb. Much of the food is locally sourced,
and the chef is talented!”
exit zero 21 july

THE ULTIMATE CAPE MAY FOOD & DRINK CHART
What you
need to
know about
the food
and vibe
Meals
served
Bar or
BYOB?
Should I
book?
Food for
kids?
Other
details
SEASALT
1035 Beach Avenue, Cape May
(609) 884-7000
www.seasaltcapemay.com
SHAMONE
421 Washington Street
Cape May
(609) 884-6088
STUBBORN BROTHERS
Surfside Pier, Wildwood
(609) 729-3700
www.moreyspiers.com
TISHA’S
322 Washington Street Mall
Cape May
(609) 884-9119
TOMMY’S FOLLY CAFÉ
251 Beach Avenue, Cape May
(609) 884-6522
www.caperesorts.com
UGLY MUG
426 Washington Street Mall
Cape May
(609) 884-3459
Black wood and granite tables, mother-of-pearl
barfront, river rock decor... the vibe is as cool as the
food is delicious. Reserve the chef’s intimate private
table for up to 14.
Looking for something different? The Karapanagiotis
brothers offer one 15-course tasting menu nightly. For
$35. It’s an adventure for your tastebuds.
Steps from Wildwood’s famous boardwalk, a
relaxing, tropical-style venue with good food and
entertainment. Favorites include Baja fish tacos,
crabby cake sandwich and the Pirate Punch cocktail.
A hot spot on the Washington Street Mall, where
they serve up irresistible concoctions for lunch and
dinner. A great people-watching spot, too.
Situated in the lobby of Congress Hall, this shop has
great coffee and to-go breakfast goodies, as well as
healthy and tasty lunch wraps, plus soups, shakes and
more.
A Cape May legend, and a good place to stop while
shopping on the mall. Such a treat. It has a classic pub
vibe, and always a warm, friendly atmosphere.
B, L, D BAR YES YES u b
H
D BYOB YES NO
L, D BAR NO YES
b
H
L, D BYOB YES YES
b U
B, Café NO NO YES ub
H U
L, D BAR NO YES b
H
UNCLE BILL’S PANCAKE HOUSE
Beach Avenue and Perry Street,
Cape May
(609) 884-7199
Reliably good food for breakfast and lunch — there
is a reason why people wait in line here. You can sit
outside with ocean and beach views and dine with
your dog if the weather is nice.
B, L BYOB NO YES
ub
H U
UNION PARK
Beach Avenue & Howard
(609) 884-8811
www.unionparkdiningroom.com
Exquisite dining in a classic old hotel, where both the
decor and the food are inspired. Voted one of the
best restaurants in the state by New Jersey Monthly
magazine.
D BYOB YES YES
u b
H
VIGGIANO’S ON SUNSET
109 Sunset Blvd, West Cape May
484-344-5561
www.viggianosbyob.com
VINCENZO’S LITTLE ITALY II
3704 Bayshore Road
North Cape May
(609) 889-6610
WASHINGTON INN
801 Washington, Cape May
(609) 884-5697
www.washingtoninn.com
THE YB
314 Beach Avenue,
Cape May
(609) 898-2009
A new family-friendly Italian restaurant, from the
same owners as the popular Conshocken restaurant.
Expect classic Italian food done right and a welcome
as hearty as the pasta dishes.
If you want to bring the family for a fine and fun
Italian meal, look no further. The kids will love
it. Excellent pasta dishes, and they’ve recently
expanded their pizzeria.
Superb gourmet food, and a cool but cozy bar. Check
out an amazing wine list of over 10,000 bottles;
they’ve got the largest wine cellar in South Jersey.
The chef and manager just took over this popular
eatery. The food and service is as good as ever, and
the renovation is beautiful! Enjoy both brunch and
dinner time in this cozy beachfront eatery.
D BYOB NO YES
u b
H
L, D BYOB YES YES
u b
H
D BAR YES YES u b
H
B, D BYOB YES YES b
H
SYMBOLS KEY u Onsite parking b Handicap accessible
H Takeout available U Dog-friendly patio
exit zero 22 july

FINE DINING
Rated #1
Restaurant
in West
Cape May
Open for dinner daily from 4pm
416 S BROADWAY, WEST CAPE MAY
609-600-1422 • @saporeitalianous
exit zero 23 july

Cape May has never seen anything like it!
Gas station
with oldfashioned
service
Restaurant &
bar serving
fab burgers,
Indian & Thai
Coffee shop
& breakfast/
lunch to-go
specials
Exit Zero
merchandise
& souvenir
store
110 Sunset Boulevard 609-770-8479 exitzero.com

a cape may moment
Celebrating the 10-year anniversary of Sangria Sunday at Hawk Haven Vineyard: Ashley, Lynsie, Kenna, Todd, Carly, Kim. Aleksey Moryakov
It’s that time of year again...
Ellie’s Garden is back at Rio Station
Fresh locally-grown garden salads & vegetables are on our tables again. Vegetarian options join the traditional
steaks & local seafood that round out our summer menu. Enjoy a selection from our award-winning wine list or 14 beers
on tap including a large selection of New Jersey Crafts. Reservations suggested.
www.riostation.com
AMERICAN STEAK & SEAFOOD HOUSE
Grande Center Mall • Routes 9 & 47 • Rio Grande, NJ 08242 • 609.889.2000

events around the cape
June 22-23
Cape May Quilt And Fiber Arts Show
Historic Cold Spring Village’s annual Quilt
Show has expanded into a full-scale event
celebrating all forms of fiber arts. In addition
to voting for your favorite quilt, guests can
take in workshops and demonstrations on
knitting, crocheting, wool dyeing, even sheep
shearing. Call 609-898-2300.
June 22
Cape May Hops Festival
This fourth annual all-day outdoor family
festival features blues, brews and BBQ! Enjoy
local breweries, live blues music on the
outdoor stage, and food vendors serving up
some tasty BBQ and other favorites, plus a
crafts and collectibles show and kids activities,
all on the grounds at the Physick Estate,
1048 Washington Street. Admission to
the grounds is free. From 10am to 6pm. Call
609-884-5404 or visit capemaymac.org.
June 25, 27
Chalfonte’s Civil War Dinner Package
At Cape May’s oldest hotel, The Chalfonte,
build up your appetite for their famous
southern fried chicken dinner by learning
why it’s “where the South meets the North.”
In a room filled with Civil War artifacts,
hear the fascinating story of how the Chalfonte
blends its Northern roots (built by
Cape May’s Civil War hero, Colonel Henry
Sawyer) with its 20th century operation
by the daughter of a Confederate cavalry
general who served under Robert E. Lee.
5:30pm. Tickets are $35 adults, $25 children
(ages 3-12) and are available at the Washington
Street Mall Information Booth. Call
609-884-5404 or visit capemaymac.org.
June 29
Annual Cape May Designer House Tour
Visitors can step across the threshold of four
professionally designed grand private homes
open to the public for one day only. The event
runs from 11am-4pm. Admission is $35. Visitors
will receive a booklet with descriptions
of the houses and a map. Call 609-884-5404
or visit Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts and
Humanitsies at capemaymac.org.
June 29-30
Hands-on History
At Historic Cold Spring Village, try your
hand at crafts and trades from the 1800s:
blacksmithing, basketweaving, woodworking
and more. Step inside the Village’s 26
restored, historic buildings and interact with
historical interpreters to learn and create...
the way our ancestors did! Children can get
their ‘Past-port’ stamped for each handson
activity they complete, and redeem it for
a free treat in the Country Store. Call 609-
898-2300.
July 2, 9, 11, 16
Chalfonte’s Civil War Dinner Package
At Cape May’s oldest hotel, The Chalfonte,
build up your appetite for their famous southern
fried chicken dinner by learning why it’s
“where the South meets the North.” In a room
filled with Civil War artifacts, hear the fascinating
story of how the Chalfonte blends its
Northern roots (built by Cape May’s Civil War
Cape
May’s
Local
Brewery
VISIT OUR TASTING ROOM, OPEN DAILY & YEARRROUND
1288 HORNET ROAD, INSIDE THE CAPE MAY AIRPORT
CAPEMAYBREWERY.COM 609.849.9933 @CAPEMAYBREWCO
exit zero 27 july

hero, Colonel Henry Sawyer) with its 20th century operation by the
daughter of a Confederate cavalry general who served under Robert E.
Lee. 5:30pm. Tickets are $35 adults, $25 children (ages 3-12) and are
available at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth. Call 609-
884-5404 or visit capemaymac.org.
Self-Surf
Frozen
Desserts
COME VISIT AND HELP US CELEBRATE
OUR EIGHT-YEAR ANNIVERSARY!
Custard • Frozen Yogurt
Ice Cream • Dole Whip
Sorbet • Edible Cookie Dough
315 Ocean, Washington Commons # 8b, Cape May
215-485-0901 « bonniestoppings.com
Awarded prestigious
three stars by the
Press of Atlantic City
Nestled in the secondoldest
operating hotel in
Cape May, La Verandah
serves up mouthwatering
dishes in a truly Victorian
setting. Dine on the porch
and take in the ocean
breeze or enjoy your meal
in an intimate dining room.
reservations encouraged
107-113 GRANT STREET, CAPE MAY
(609) 884-5868 HOTELALCOTT.COM
Perfect venue for an elegant wedding by the sea
July 3
Cape May Summer Concert Series:
Pure Prairie League and Orleans
Pure Prairie League hit the scene in the late 60’s and was skyrocketed
to popularity with their hit country rock song “Aimee.” Orleans: Best
known for the hit “Dance With Me,” has been going strong since 1972.
See them at Cape May Convention Hall. Concert starts at 8pm, tickets
$48. Call 609-884-9565 or visit discovercapemaynj.com.
July 3, 10
Family Fun Day at Cape May Lighthouse
The 1859 Cape May Lighthouse located in Cape May Point State Park,
Lower Township, becomes a beacon of fun. Enjoy kid-friendly activities,
performers, entertainment and unique crafts vendors at the base
of the lighthouse. 9am-2pm. Free admission. Call 609-884-5404 or
800-275-4278, or visit capemaymac.org.
July 4
Dinner & Fireworks
Here’s an exclusive chance to see the area’s Independence Day fireworks
from the ideal vantage point: atop the Cape May Lighthouse.
Participants will be transported by trolley from the Washington Street
Mall Information Booth to the Red Store in Cape May Point for a delicious
dinner prepared by Chef Lucas Manteca. After dinner, hop back
on board for a short ride to Cape May Lighthouse, and climb to the top
to watch the fireworks from the watch gallery. Reservations necessary.
Tickets are $100. Call 609-884-5404 or visit capemaymac.org.
July 4
Fireworks Extravaganza
Congress Beach at 9pm. Take it in while enjoying Congress Hall’s Independence
Weekend. Four days of fun at the old hotel!
July 4
Fourth of July Picnic and Lobster Bake
Summertime is THE time for simple pleasures — like running through
sprinklers, chasing ice cream trucks and, of course, enjoying fireworks.
Congress Hall’s lawn is the base camp for an all-American treat. Picnic
is from 5-9pm, while you’re treated to fabulous, patriotic music and
lots of fun and games for the kids. There’s also a lobster bake in the
hotel ballroom at 6:30pm. Later, you’ll see a five-star fireworks show
while savoring ocean breezes. Call Congress Hall at 609-884-6542 or
visit congresshall.com.
July 6
Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast
If you don’t like pancakes, you’re kind of a freak. Lucky for all of you
non-freaks out there, Kiwanis — the global organization dedicated to
serving children of the world — will host its annual pancake breakfast
at Convention Hall. 8:00-11:00am. Visit capemaykiwanis.com.
July 6
Independence Day Parade
Who says the Fourth of July celebration has to happen on the fourth
exit zero 28 july

only? We’re just as happy about our independence on the 6th. The
parade kicks off on Beach Avenue at 1pm. Call 609-884-9565, or visit
discovercapemaynj.com.
July 6-7
Independence Day Celebration
Historic Cold Spring Village, the living history museum just a short
drive from downtown Cape May, will host afternoon concerts, family
activities and traditional fun from 10am-4:30pm. Patriotic programs,
including The Story of Old Glory and live music, take place both days.
And you might also want to visit the fine new brewery just next door!
For more information, call 609-898-2300.
July 9, 23
Breakfast with the Pirates
It’s a breakfast fit for a matey! Children hear a story over a yummy
breakfast and then create their own pirate hook to go on a pirate-y
treasure hunt on the grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate. Wait …
what is all that ruckus? It’s a band of pirates! Admission $20 adult;
$18 children (ages 3-12). 9:30am. Call 609-884-5404 or visit capemaymac.org.
July 10
Cape May Summer Concert Series: Max Weinberg’s Jukebox
A truly interactive experience, Weinberg invites the audience to create
the set list, in real time, that he and his crack four piece group will play
that night. Performing songs from the glory days of rock and roll. See
them at Cape May Convention Hall. Concert starts at 8pm, tickets $48.
Call 609-884-9565 or visit discovercapemaynj.com.
July 12-14
Promenade Art Show
We love handcrafted pottery and jewelry, paintings of classic Cape May
scenes, and awesome photography. We love them even more when
they’re local. And EVEN more when we can peruse the goods next to
the ocean. On the Cape May promenade from 10am-5pm. For more
information, call 609-884-9565, or visit discovercapemaynj.com.
July 12-14
NJ State BBQ Championship & Anglesea Blues Festival
Olde New Jersey Avenues and surrounding pubs in North Wildwood.
Experience the BEST in Barbeque & Blues at this exciting three day
festival. Live cooking demonstrations, incredible food and top regional
and national blues acts on the FREE main stage. Friday 4pm-11pm,
Saturday 10am-11pm, Sunday 10am-6pm.
July 13-14
15th Annual Celtic Festival
At Historic Cold Spring Village, celebrate traditions of the Celtic
Highlands with live entertainment: music, dancing, crafts, beer
pavilion and more. 10am-4:30pm. For performance lineup, call 609-
898-2300.
COOL BREWS!
SUNSET LIQUORS
Let the fun begin!
beer + wine + spirits + tobacco
Sunset & broadway, west cape may « 609-435-5052
Uncle Bill’s
& FAMILY RESTAURANT
Pancakes, perfected!
July 16
Lighthouse Full Moon Climb
Let the light of the full moon guide you up the 199 stairs to the starry
top. Don’t miss a rare opportunity to see the light of the moon at the
top, weather permitting. The Cape May Lighthouse is located in Cape
May Point State Park, Lower Township. 8-10pm. $15 for adults, $8 for
children (ages 3-12). Call 609-884-5404 or visit capemaymac.org.
exit zero 29 july
BEACH AVENUE & PERRY STREET
609-884-7199 « Pet-Friendly Outdoor Seating!

Adored by Visitors
Loved by Locals!
July 17
Cape May Summer Concert Series: Jay and the Americans
an American pop rock group popular in the 1960s who first hit the
Billboard charts in 1962 with the tune “She Cried.” See them at Cape
May Convention Hall. Concert starts at 8pm, tickets $48. Call 609-
884-9563 or visit discovercapemaynj.com.
July 17, 24, 31
Family Fun Day at Cape May Lighthouse
The 1859 Cape May Lighthouse located in Cape May Point State Park,
Lower Township, becomes a beacon of fun. Enjoy kid-friendly activities,
performers, entertainment and unique crafts vendors at the base
of the lighthouse. 9am-2pm. Free admission. Call 609-884-5404 or
800-275-4278, or visit capemaymac.org.
Beach & Grant, Cape May
609-884-3772
July 18, 23, 25, 30
Chalfonte’s Civil War Dinner Package
At Cape May’s oldest hotel, The Chalfonte, build up your appetite
for their famous southern fried chicken dinner by learning why it’s
“where the South meets the North.” In a room filled with Civil War
artifacts, hear the fascinating story of how the Chalfonte blends its
Northern roots (built by Cape May’s Civil War hero, Colonel Henry
Sawyer) with its 20th century operation by the daughter of a Confederate
cavalry general who served under Robert E. Lee. 5:30pm.
Tickets are $35 adults, $25 children (ages 3-12) and are available at
the Washington Street Mall Information Booth. Call 609-884-5404
or visit capemaymac.org.
July 19
Beer Garden with Cape May Brewery
Come to the Cape May Lighthouse at Cape May Point State Park for an
evening of fun as the sun begins to set. Play lawn games, enjoy a variety
of Cape May Brewery brews, grab a bite to eat and hang with friends,
on the grounds beneath this historic 1859 beacon. 4-8pm. Call 609-
884-5404 or visit capemaymac.org.
American Cuisine
Freshest Seafood
Sizzling Steaks
Great Bar Menu
HAPPY HOUR 4-6 DAILY
615 LAFAYETTE STREET, CAPE MAY
609-884-2111 • oysterbayrestaurant.com
July 20
Jersey Cape Antique Auto Show
Drool over approximately 50 antique cars on display in Rotary Park
and Collier’s parking lot, in the cente of downtown Cape May. 9:30am-
2pm. Call 609-884-9565, or visit discovecapemaynj.com.
July 20
Tenth Annual Cape May Beach Volleyball Tournament
Diving and lunging and spiking... oh my! Steger Beach. 9am-7pm. Call
609-884-4800 or visit cabanasonthebeach.com
July 20-21
Railroad Days
Historic Cold Spring Village will be lined with model railroads,
garden displays, vendors and more. 10am-4:30pm. Discover all things
locomotive! Call 609-898-2300.
July 21
Captain Kidd Treasure Hunt
Kids aged three to 10 will follow Captain Kidd (What? You didn’t know
he’s still around?) on a treasure hunt on the beaches in front of Cape
May Convention Hall. Remember: ‘x’ marks the spot. 1pm. Call 609-
884-9565, or visit discovercapemaynj.com. Your kids will thank you
for it.
exit zero 30 july

Snack While You Shop
Stay energized with a treat while shopping at West End Garage.
Featuring La Colombe Coffee products and homemade donuts.
Open daily.
antique furniture • accessories • estate jewelry • vintage memorabilia • framed artwork • home goods
609.770.8261 | 484 Perry Street, Cape May | thewestendgarage.com
exit zero 31 july

PARADISE FOUND
ª Locally Sourced Food
ª Relaxing Key West Vibe
ª Waterfront Dining
ª Awe-Inspiring Sunsets
ª Lunch & Dinner Daily
ª Live Music Nightly
ª Plenty of Free Parking
July 24
Cape May Summer Concert Series: Herman’s Hermits
Lead singer of the legendary sixties pop band with hits “I’m Into
Something Good.” See them at Cape May Convention Hall. Concert
starts at 8pm, tickets $48.
July 25
Christmas in July at the Cape May Lighthouse
Can’t wait till the magical season happens in December? There will
be games, crafts, gifts... and Santa. Forget the snow, forget the cold
weather, bask in the sun and celebrate Christmas this summer from
10am-2pm. Free admission to activities on the grounds. Call 609-884-
5404 or visit capemaymac.org.
July 27-28
Heritage Weekend
Historic Cold Spring Village will follow a somewhat chronological
sequence, with the first event focusing on Native cultures and early
settlers through the Civil War, and the second weekend focusing on
post Civil War and more modern demographics. The goal is to focus
on life, art, music, crafts, and foods that make us all Americans.
July 31
Cape May Summer Concert Series: Mavis Staples
An American rhythm and blues and gospel singer, actress, and civil
rights activist. See her at Cape May Convention Hall. Concert starts
at 8pm, tickets $48.
Open Daily
From 11:30am for
Lunch & Dinner
HAPP Y HOUR
M-F 3-6
August 2
Cape May Baby Parade
If you’re a sucker for cute things — or if you still use a sucker — you
should probably turn up for the baby parade, starting at 11am on
Congress Street and Beach Avenue. There is live music!
August 3
Eighth Annual Craft Beer & Crab Festival
Come to the beautiful grounds of the Physick Estate, 1048 Washington
Street, and experience what CBS NY named one of New Jersey’s
Top Five Summer Festivals! This all-day fete features local craft beer
and favorite summer picnic foods. Think: steamed crabs, crab cakes,
steamed shrimp, pulled pork, corn on the cob, and potato salad. Enjoy
live music on the outdoor stage, see jugglers and acrobats, and
peruse a farmers’ market. Admission is free. 10am-6pm.
August 3-4
Classic Car Show
Cars will be on display each day from 10am-3pm at Historic Cold
Spring Village. See beautifully restored and preserved vehicles, from
muscle cars to light trucks, from the 1910s to the 1980s parked along
the Village’s tree-lined, shell-paved lanes. Talk with the owners and
learn about the process of restoring a classic automobile as well as
the fascinating stories behind their development and use.
91 Beach Drive, North Cape May
(609) 886-5529
HarpoonsOnTheBay.com
August 6, 20
Breakfast with the Pirates
It’s a breakfast fit for a matey! Children hear a story over a yummy
breakfast and then create their own pirate hook to go on a pirate-y treasure
hunt on the grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate. Wait … what is
all that ruckus? It’s a band of pirates! Admission $20 adult; $18 children
(ages 3-12). 9:30am. Call 609-884-5404 or visit capemaymac.org.
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THE ORIGINAL
Eighty years after Jess Laudeman snapped up a piece of harborfront
property, Cape May’s iconic Lobster House remains at the center of island life.
Grandson Keith discusses life, legacy, and why he’s never sold.
article diane stopyra photography suzanne kulperger
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The Lobster House is an institution
on Cape Island. For many visitors,
dining here isn’t just about enjoying
a meal of locally caught seafood with
an unmatched view of the harbor
(though it’s hard to conjure many better ways
to spend a breezy summer afternoon). It’s also
about a tradition 80 years in the making.
In 1939, Jess Laudeman, a local fish dealer,
purchased the Schellenger Landing docks on
Cape May’s harbor from the Reading Railroad
Company. Here, he grew his wholesale operation,
Cold Spring Fish and Supply Company,
which was the largest seafood packager in the
country at one time. Located on the docks was
a small restaurant called Bateman’s that Jess
and his wife Vaud, the daughter of a Cape May
boat builder, turned over to their son, Wally, and
daughter-in-law, Marijane.
The couple renamed their business The
Lobster House and set to work creating and
expanding what would become one of the
most beloved and successful restaurants on the
coast. The sailor uniforms they picked and the
menu they curated remain largely unchanged to
this day.
Now, the Cold Spring Fish and Supply Company
is run by Wally and Marijane’s son, Keith
Laudeman. The operation includes a fish market,
packing and shipping plant, fishing fleet
and, of course, The Lobster House (which itself
includes a dizzying array of seating options,
including the Schooner American fishing vessel/bar).
The Lobster House docks, known as
Fisherman’s Wharf, are one of three commercial
fishing operations that make up the port
of Cape May, the second-most lucrative on the
East Coast.
On a June evening overlooking the harbor,
we sat down with Keith to discuss a lifetime in
the fish business, the simultaneous joy/burden
of carrying on a family legacy, and that 35-pound
lobster than hangs in the lobby. (Yes, it’s real...)
You spent a lot of time on the Lobster
House docks as a kid. Ever cause any mischief?
Well, how could you not have some fun here?
I read somewhere that your sister fell into
the harbor and had to be rescued. That was me,
actually. I was maybe… 10? Over at the marina, I
went down a ladder at low tide, slipped on some
eelgrass and fell in. Some guy came and grabbed
me and got me out of there.
Did you know how to swim? As far as I can
remember, I always knew how to swim. But I was
in shock, might have hit my head.
When did you start working here? My first
job as a kid was to clean the schooner. We never
had chairs on deck — back then it was all about
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air conditioning — so the cocktail lounge was
below deck, and I’d run the vacuum and clean
the bar. Then, at probably 15 or 16, I was washing
dishes. We’d also come down and pack fish.
Did you enjoy the work or did you resent
it? I never mind working. I think that trait is
inborn. If I didn’t enjoy it, I would have sold out
years ago.
Did you plan to take over this business or
did you envision doing something else? I graduated
high school in ’73, and I came to work for
my dad in, I think, ’74. I lasted less than a year. He
had me selling fish, wholesale, off the boats, and
I wasn’t mature enough for it. He admitted in
later years he never should have done that. It’s
a terrible job for someone that inexperienced.
So I quit. Went to California and surfed for two
years. That wasn’t doing it for me anymore — I
wanted to make some money — so I came back
to work on the scallop boats. I enjoyed that lifestyle.
How’d your dad feel about you leaving?
Not happy. I was one of those kids you were
probably not very proud of. You were supposed
to graduate high school, come to work and that’s
it.
Do you regret it? The only regret I have in
my life is that I didn’t take two more years. In my
40s, I went surfing in Fiji, where the waves are

Keith Laudeman on the loading dock at The Lobster House, where his family has been doing business for 80 years. Opposite page: A deck
hand on the fishing boat Kim & Jr, and Jim DeMusz applying a fresh coat of paint to the restaurant’s famous Schooner.
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The upstairs dining room at The Lobster House, typically reserved for private functions. Opposite: The antique mermaid is a figurehead
from a sailing vessel. Among the other fixtures is Marge Caltagirone, a longtime server in the restaurant’s beloved coffee shop.
exit zero 38 july
spectacular. I wish I’d known about that world
when I was 20.
Tell me about an adventure from that
time. A group of us frequently drove our Volkswagen
van from California to Mexico to surf.
We camped and lived in the van and smoked a
lot of weed — we kept it in an oatmeal container
with oatmeal on top, which I don’t think was very
smart. Once, we were at a campground-type
place below Tijuana and the Federales came
in and arrested a bunch of people. Thank god I
wasn’t one of them.
Back to the Lobster House… you did a
major renovation this year after storm surges
caused serious flooding. How many times have
you flooded? Man, so many times. I don’t even
know. Last year, I raised my office two feet, and
this past winter I raised the bar probably a foot.
It was the lowest area in my restaurant.
One of your bartenders told me it has
more of a cozy ski lodge feel there now. I don’t
think the change is immediately obvious… unless
maybe you glance over at the fireplace. It still
feels weird to me, but I’ve been walking that way
for so many years.
So how many times have you had to replace
your signature red carpet? Many, many times.
It’s custom made, right? It used to be readily
available in the ’60s. But it went out of fashion,
so now I have to get it specially made from a
mill in North Carolina.
That mill must be very grateful for you. Ha.
They charge the shit out of me.
Have you ever thought: “Screw it. I’m going
with tile?” Nah, it wouldn’t be the same. People
want what they want. They’re used to coming in
and everything being the same, like an old established
seafood house that still does things the
way we did them in the ’60s. The menu never
changes, the uniforms never change… people
are comfortable with that.
But are YOU comfortable with that? I’m
not a big change kind of guy, so I like it the way
it is. I’m lucky to have a place where you don’t
have to worry about all that. An old, established
seafood house… there’s not very many of us left,
so I think it’s kind of cool, actually.
And your servers are on board with those
uniforms? It’s funny — there was a little while
in the ’90s where people said, “You’re making
them wear this?” But it’s come full circle. Everywhere
you go now, servers, bartenders… they’re
dressed in black. It’s overdone. But you don’t
see what we do anywhere.
Tell us something that HAS changed. The
bread has changed over the years. We had different
kinds, but then I went to this restaurant
in New York — I won’t say which one, because I
know you’re going to ask — and their bread had
onion, salt and poppy on it. Damn, it was good.
So I had a guy make it for me.
Local? Atlantic City. I told him he can’t sell it
to anybody else. If you do, I’ll get somebody else
to make mine.
How many boats are in your fleet?
Between the ones we own and the the ones we
pack, probably 20.
Pack? Means we handle the product from
independent boats who dock here. I buy it off
them and resell it to processors.
Where else is your seafood going, besides
Cape May? All over the world — China, Canada,
Europe. But then we also sell to Philadelphia
and to Fulton Fish Market in New York.
Are you ever overwhelmed by the responsibility
of carrying on The Lobster House legacy?
It’s a little bit of a burden, because you
don’t want to mess anything up. And you want
to do it forever, but nobody lasts forever. It’s
not like owning, say, a ball-bearing company in
the middle of the state, which I imagine would
be pretty easy to sell. To sell this? I don’t think
I could do it.
Because of all the sentimental value? Of

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course. First, it’s a great place to work, and then
there’s all the history. It’s almost a burden.
Do you have any hope your kids will take
this over one day? To me, it’s like... whatever you
want to do, you do. I don’t do that whole thing. It
doesn’t work anyway.
So if one of your daughters told you she
was, say, moving to California to surf, you’d
respond… how? Whatever you want to do.
Do you think either of them are interested
in taking this over? My one daughter is in the
restaurant business now, and my other is a
farmer, so… whatever they want to do.
Daughter Alex runs Mayer’s, the tavern
across the street which you opened together
last year. Was that experience what you were
expecting? Mayer’s was probably one of the
most fun projects I’ve ever done, and I’ve done a
lot of different things.
How come? I didn’t actually want to buy it.
And the guy who was trying to sell it to me kept
calling and calling. I told him I don’t need it and I
don’t want it. I don’t want to run another restaurant.
They’re a pain in the ass. All the people,
all the personalities — you get a good person in
there, then they quit. But he just kept calling.
Finally I said, “Well, here. Here is my offer.” The
guy took it and I was like… shit.
Yikes. After I got past that, it’s a really cool
property. It’s small and it’s got a great little deck.
So I started getting into it. I thought, “Yeah, this
will be alright, but I ain’t fucking running it, so
I’ll need to find someone else to lease it.” My
daughter — she worked for a top chef in New
York — said to me, “Before you lease it out, let’s
talk about it,” and it just happened. She did the
menu right, and she runs a really good operation
over there. I don’t help her at all.
Are there any misconceptions about The
Lobster House or your family? I don’t think so.
We are what we are. But we’re big, and a lot of
people may not like that.
How many seats DO you have? I don’t put
that out there just for that reason. Anything
big, people don’t like. If you’re small and quaint,
you’re great. If you’re big, you’re not. So I try not
to say that.
Okay, how about this: Do you know your
record day here, in terms of customers
served? No, not really.
Guesstimate? Not really
Ballpark? I’m not good at ballparks. You’re
pretty good at getting things out of me, but not
that.
You’ve had generations of people dine
and work here. What’s it like to watch families
grow up before your eyes? You end up putting
half the town through high school and college.
Everyone has worked here once. The ones that
really stick in your head are the ones who’ve
become wildly successful. You think to yourself,
man, he used to work in my fish market and now
he’s running around the harbor on an 80-foot
Viking.
Most famous customer? Harvey Keitel
came in a little while ago. And Taylor Swift.
Did you talk to her? No, I was in Philly that
night. But I wouldn’t do it anyway. I’m a little bit
shy. And what am I supposed to say? “Hi, I’m
Keith Laudeman?” Who cares?
What’s your day-to-day here? Are you ever,
say, washing dishes? I worked the takeout all
last weekend. I help pack fish. When it’s getting
ready to crumble, you have to jump in, because
if they see you working, they’ll keep working. It’s
not even that you’re doing that much, but when
they see you, they rally. It makes a difference. It
can crumble on you if don’t jump in.
What’s that tattoo on your forearm? It’s a
wave I just got in West Cape May a month ago.
It’s my first tattoo — I always wanted one.
Do you still get a chance to paddle out?
When there’s surf, I go surfing, even if it messes
work up a little bit.
What would you change about Cape May
if you could? When I grew up here, there were
a lot of families, a lot of kids, and it’s completely
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exit zero 41 july

changed now. You get a lot of outside influence,
which I guess is okay from a commercial standpoint.
But I’ve had instances where I’m running
a generator on a boat and someone from New
York who owns a condo is telling me to shut the
engine down because of the noise. All it takes it
one politically connected judge with a half-million-dollar
condo to be woken up in the morning.
That’s the kind of thing I don’t like.
What are your feelings about Yelp and Trip-
Advisor? I never read it, good or bad, because it
would just drive me crazy. First of all, you never
hear the good, and you shouldn’t. When you
come here and spend that kind of money for
dinner, it better be good, so you don’t owe anything.
It’s expected. So the only thing those sites
become a place for is bitching and complaining.
I look at my business and I can tell whether it’s
good or bad without Yelp. Luckily, my wife, Sue,
handles all our marketing and social media.
Do you have a personal Facebook page?
I’ve never been on it. I put up a page and what?
An old girlfriend from 12th grade says hello? I’m
going to read Donald Trump’s tweets? That guy’s
crazy. Nothing good comes from social media.
There are so many tchotchke and knickknacks
and cool pieces of decor in The Lobster
House. Are any of them the original pieces
your mother picked out? Well, we had a major
fire in the ’60s, so everything original to the
space was burnt. But we do have one-of-a-kind,
antique pieces.
Tell me about one with a good story. We
have mermaid figureheads in the dining room
that were once positioned on the front of ships.
In the ’90s, we got a long letter from a lady
calling us terrible and sexist, because the mermaids
don’t have anything covering them up on
top. My wife wrote back that these are original
figureheads from the 1800s. They’re a part of
American history.
The 1800s? Well, maybe! We never got a
response. Everybody’s got something to say.
And that giant lobster in the lobby? I
actually helped take it off the boat in ’85. It’s 35
pounds, I think, and I bet it’s the most photographed
lobster in the world.
What’s the piece that has the most personal
significance to you? In the dining room,
there’s an oil painting of a Coast Guard boat saving
the crew from an old eastern dragger that’s
going down. The seas are real rough, and the
boat is named Mockingbird. It was painted by
the captain of that Coast Guard boat, and it was
gifted to my dad. It’s a beautiful piece.
Can you give me a great piece of Lobster
House trivia? Hmm, like what?
I heard the schooner came from Nova
Scotia. That sounds interesting. The original
schooner did. My dad went to pick it up and my
mom didn’t let me go, and good thing, too. My
dad says he was lucky no one got killed on that
trip. He and a load of his friends flew up and
towed it back. My dad was a bit of a hellraiser,
and they were drinking the whole time, and the
seas were really rough. They almost lost the
boat.
They were drinking while navigating a ship?
They’d hired a company to tow it back, so the
captain was steering. They were always drinking,
though. That’s just want they did back then.
Well, I guess the restaurant industry will
do that to you. Yes,it will.
So what happened to the original schooner?
In the ’80s, she was so rotten and leaking
so bad that we took her out and sunk her. Then
we went to Virginia Beach and bought a new
one — I did go on that trip. That one rotted out
on us, too, so we got a permit from the state to
sink her as well. The mast shot out of her like
a torpedo — thank god no one was on top. All
the wood washed up in Avalon, and they were
calling us, all upset. The guy from the state that
issued the permit supposedly said that’s the last
wooden boat that will be sunk out there. Now
the current schooner is made of steel. It will last
forever, if there is such a thing.
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WOOD-FIRED BRICK OVEN PIZZA
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SPECIAL PROMOTION
HOW TO
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exit zero 45 july

THE EXIT ZERO DISCOUNT DECK 2019
USUALLY, something that seems too good to
be true is just that. Well, here’s the exception
to that rule! The Exit Zero Discount Deck,
from Exit Zero magazine, really IS everything
it appears to be... which is THE best way
to enjoy Cape May while saving a lot of money. To be
precise, you will save more than $400 if you use all the
cards in the elegantly designed pack of cards. And all you
pay is $20. Go for dinner at The Ebbitt Room, followed by
breakfast at SeaSalt the next morning and you already got
your money back! And unlike many other special offers,
there are no exceptions or blackout days. These cards are
good for every single day this year, through December 31,
2019. You can buy the Exit Zero Discount Deck from the
Exit Zero Filling Station, 110 Sunset Boulevard, at Collier’s
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Hall. Or call us on 609-770-8479 and pay by credit card.
You can also buy it online at ezstore.us.
Savings you can taste!
There are no hidden catches with your Discount Deck. For example,
you can save $10 off the cost of lunch or dinner at the Ugly Mug, with
a minimum spend of just $40! You can go any day of the week, even a
Saturday in sunny August. So get out there and use your deck to enjoy the
tantalizing Cape May eating experience!
} participating restaurants
Aleathea’s
Save $5 on breakfast/lunch — minimum spend $20.
Backstreet
Save $10 on dinner — minimum spend $75.
barefoot bar & Grill
Save $10 on minimum spend $35.
Blue Pig TAVERN
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CAPE MAY Brewing Company
Save $5 on a minimum spend of $30.
CAPE MAY Fish Market
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COFFEE TYME
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cold spring brewery
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delaney’s irish bar & grill
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THE Ebbitt Room
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exit zero filling station
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fins bar & grille
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Harpoons ON THE BAY
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Harry’s OCEAN BAR & GRILLE
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hawk haven vineyard
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washington inn
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THE EXIT ZERO DISCOUNT DECK 2019
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Savings that will inspire you
THE best thing about The Exit Zero Discount Deck?
It’s packed with the kind of establishments you
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Cape may peanut butter company
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Collier’s liquor store
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Flying Fish studio
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Good Scents
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red oak trading
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seaside Cheese
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spice cellar of cape may
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accent on Beauty
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Sea Spa at congress hall
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Cape may bird observatory
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Cape may trolley tours
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East Coast parasail, Jet ski & jet Boat
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historic cold spring village
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STEGER STANDUP PADDLEBOARD
Save $5 on paddleboard rental — minimum $30.
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HERE COMES THE: SUNRISE
RISE AND SHINE WITH A HEARTY BREAKFAST
Join us for seasonal signature dishes like our Huevos Rancheros, with black
beans, queso fresco, salsa verde, chorizo sausage, avocado, and fresh eggs
from our very own Beach Plum Farm. The warm weather has guests venturing
out onto our open-air patio under sunny skies for their favorite meal.
BREAKFAST • LUNCH • DINNER
RESERVATIONS 609.884.8422 • THEBLUEPIGTAVERN.COM
Located in Congress Hall 200 Congress Place
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a cape may moment
Around the beautiful beaches of Cool Cape May on May 26. Aleksey Moryakov
TO BEER OR NOT TO BEER, THAT IS THE QUESTION.
Free Entry
& Parking
For Brewery
Please check
Facebook for
Brewery Hours
and Information
Gift Cards
and
Growlers
Available!
All profits support HCSV Foundation - A non-profit living history museum
733 SeaShore road, Cape May, NJ
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HELLO
SUMMER
AT CONGRESS HALL | OPEN DAILY
Located in the lobby of Congress Hall, Tommy’s Folly Boutique showcases
fashion and accessories by up-and-coming and classic designers.
Shop our boutique for your summer wardrobe.
200 Congress Place | tommysfollycapemay.com | 609.884.6522
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THE ART OF CAPE MAY
From magical mural painters and pop art painters to virtuoso violinists
and folksy singers, a portfolio of inspiring local artists.
INTERVIEWS DIANE STOPYRA & JACK WRIGHT
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PHOTOGRAPHY SUZANNE KULPERGER

Mike DeMusz (left) and his
uncle, Brian DeMusz, are
known for superlative mural
work and signage all over town.
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The Mural Maestros
Brian and Mike DeMusz, the uncle-and-nephew team who are painting the town all sorts of vivid colors
Brian, what was your first ever piece of art? A guy trying to harpoon
a whale, but the whale is biting him in half. I painted it on a canvas window
shade in our home, using some oil paints I found. I got in trouble — that was
the last time my parents left paint lying around.
How old were you? Seven.
It’s a disturbing image for a young boy to paint. I got the idea from an
old encyclopedia, and I think I had just watched Moby-Dick.
What about you, Mike? I remember drawing a lot of skulls when I was
little. Not much has changed — I still like to draw skulls.
Brian, did you go to school for art? No, just high school. Mr Weeks
was my art teacher at Lower. He was a good teacher.
And you, Mike? I went to Pennsylvania College of Art and Design in
Lancaster for a year and then I came back for the summer and worked
with Uncle Brian doing signs. I learned a lot that summer and decided I
could earn some decent money. Brian adds: Plus, they raised your tuition
fees by a few thousand!
So, Mike, you’re saying that working with Uncle Brian is better than
art school? I’ve learned a lot from him for sure.
Brian, what’s your favorite piece of art in the world? The first thing
I can remember that grabbed me is “The Third of May” by Goya. It shows
a Spanish guy being shot by a French firing squad during Napoleon times.
There’s just something about the guy’s eyes. I still love that painting.
Mike? I like a lot of Salvador Dali’s work, but “The Scream” by Munch
is my favorite. Such an awesome painting, and the fact that it’s been stolen
twice and recovered both times is cool, too.
Brian, when did you start the sign-painting business? In 1982. At the
time, I was working on a clam boat, owned by the Snow’s company. Did
that for about five years.
Was that tough work? It really was — no sleep, always cold and wet. It
was good money, but there was no future in it. Plus, I had just got married
and my wife Nancy didn’t like me going out for a week at a time.
What was one of your bigger jobs back then? I painted some gold
leaf at Star of the Sea church and a mural over the altar — took me almost
an entire winter. The statues used to freak me out when I was working late
at night — I kept thinking they were moving closer to me.
Mike, you started painting weekly color covers for Exit Zero in
2004. How did you enjoy painting covers every single week? It was
pretty awesome, but it also got a bit crazy with the deadlines.
Did it ever keep you awake at night, worrying what to paint? No,
because I was up working on them instead of worrying about them!
Mike, you then quit painting for a few years. Tell us about what you
did then. I took a job screenprinting T-shirts at Flying Fish Studio in West
Cape May for a couple of years, then I cooked for two years at Martini
Beach.
How did you like cooking in a restaurant? Hated every minute of it. I
swore I would never cook in a restaurant again. [Editor’s Note: Mike began
working for Exit Zero again in 2013 and was pretty much forced into being
the chef at the Exit Zero Cookhouse restaurant which opened in 2015. He
hated that, too, but did a great job with the curries.]
Brian, did you ever cook? Yep, I was a short order cook at a custard
stand called Erma Junction — made sandwiches.
Did you hate it as much as Mike? No, because a lot of pretty Canadian
girls used to come in at the time.
Was one of them your future wife? No, I married a North Jersey
Italian girl from Nutley.
Brian, back to working with Mike... did you miss him all that time he
was away from you? Oh yeah, he left me with a big workload.
So, when did you guys get back together again? And, Mike, is it just
like you’ve never been apart? Last summer. And, yes, for the most part,
though I’m still getting used to painting every single day because I haven’t
done that for a while.
What body parts get sore when you paint all the time? Everything!
Especially the last job we just did — we painted the drinks menu on to the
wall of Congress Hall for their veranda bar. We were one or two rungs on
a ladder standing like a statue because we had to be so precise because
the letters were small and the texture of the brick made it more difficult.
Brian adds: Standing there so long without barely moving. Your whole
body feels tense.
Brian, you’ve been painting for nearly 40 years. What piece of work
are you most proud of? If we’re talking murals, the walls here at Exit Zero
Filling Station.
C’mon now, everyone’s going to think I put you up to that! No, I
mean it. And it was a lot of fun to work on, too. Mike adds: Yeah, I’m pretty
damn proud of it, too.
What about your favorite sign you’ve painted, Brian? I probably
should refresh it before I say this, but I still really like the Southern Mansion
sign.
Brian, is there one spot on the whole planet where you would love
to do a mural? The Taj Muhal, but mainly because I would like to go there.
What about you, Mike? I guess the moon doesn’t count, so how
about a big huge billboard at mile zero in Key West. It’s always an exciting
ride when you get there, so if that was the first thing you saw, that would
be cool.
People are loving the mural you did for Flying Fish Studio in West
Cape May. Where did you get the inspiration for that? Were there any
hallucinogenic drugs involved in the creative process, Brian? No drugs
involved, just lots of bright colors. I love bright colors. Not everyone lets
you do that.
How are you guys able to recreate things so accurately just painting
by hand? It comes naturally to a point, but you do have to use geometry
to figure out the angles and the shapes.
Brian, if you weren’t an artist, what would you be? Antique car restoration
would be fun.
And you, Mike? Probably a landscape gardener because it’s creative
and peaceful, too.
Mike and Brian DeMusz finishing up the kaleidoscopic mural at the Flying Fish Studio in West Cape May. They ingeniously turned an air
conditioning unit into a Cheech and Chong car, and a tube for electrical wiring into a periscope. Says Flying Fish owner Sue Lotozo, “I just
gave them some ideas and words and let them run with it, which is the best thing to do since I trust them. I knew it would be spectacular.”
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The
Pop-Fusion
Painter
Sydnei Smith Jordan, an Ivy-League
educated native of North Carolina, calls
her work American Pop Fusion. She had
to invent her own category since there’s
nothing else like it.
What IS pop fusion exactly? It’s a blend
of traditional oil painting mixed with graphic
design, traditional media and pop media.
About every medium you can think of? It’s in
my art. You’re not supposed to mix oil painting
with collage, but I do it. I challenge authority. I
push the envelope, and it works.
How has Cape May informed the work
that you do? When I moved here from
California, where I owned an art gallery, I lived
in Baltimore for a short time, and I was kind of
stifled. I didn’t think anywhere could give me
the energy California did. But when I found
out about Cape May… the energy here is
amazing. The people have met me with open
arms. I’ve been all over the US and what exists
here I haven’t seen anywhere else.
You’ve said that the goal of your work
is liberation. What does that mean? Most
of us are broken. Nobody escapes this life
without pain in some form. And I want my art
to liberate people from that. I want to take
painful things and make them beautiful.
You’ve been outspoken about the abuse
you suffered as a kid. How come? Secrets
kill. What I’ve learned is that if I tell my story
through art and vocalization, it can’t hurt me
anymore. I choose to break the cycle.
Where can people see your work?
Usually, I show at the Mad Batter. But I do
have an art opening at Art Space in West
Cape May in July, and I’m a member with the
Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts in
Millville. In another year, my hope is to open a
gallery that will also offer classes for children
and seniors — something different than what
Cape May has seen.
What’s important to know about you? I
see the beauty in Cape May, and I’m so happy
Cape May sees the beauty in me.
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The Violinist
She’s only 22 years old, but Daisy Castro already spends half
the year touring the world — from Panama to Russia, Europe to
Australia — performing with the Daisy Castro Quartet and other
bands. When she’s not on the road, the Baltimore native plays
and lives in Cape May.
You released your first album at 11. That makes you a child
prodigy, right? I’ve always just considered myself a musician. I wouldn’t
say “child prodigy” because I don’t think that image fits me, but I have
been playing from the age of about six.
Having your kind of talent as a kid… was it always joy, or was it a
burden, too? Oh, I think most musicians feel like that when they have
something to offer. There’s pressure to share it with the world, but
there has to be balance — understanding that you’re young and you still
have time to live your life.
Was school even an option for you? I went to public school until
high school, when I dropped out to go my own way.
Given all the places you’ve seen, why Cape May? It’s peaceful,
which is the stark opposite of how traveling and tour life can be. To be
able to come back to a place like this and to be on the beach whenever
I want, to calm down, ground myself and remember who I am? That’s
very valuable. Also, this place has come to feel like home for me
because of all the artists, musicians and friends I’ve met here in the last
few years. I’ve found it to be a very supportive community creatively.
What project has you most excited right now? That’s hard to say.
The dreamy-folk duo I’m in in Cape May called Clavicles, for which
I also play cello, is allowing me to explore orchestral textures and
write from a different perspective than jazz, which is what I’m most
familiar with. My own quartet is exciting because I get to play what I’m
most deeply steeped in while leading a band. Recently, I’ve also been
working with Stephane Wrembel [a guitarist from New York who wrote
one of the songs for the Woody Allen movie Midnight in Paris].
What do you do for fun? Visual art — painting and comics, or
graphic-novel type illustrations. I have an exhibit at The Mad Batter
from July 11 through August 8 this summer.
What’s the long-term plan with music? I just want to have fun
with it. I don’t ever want to feel obligated. So no long-term plans — I’m
just happy to be offering something to the world that has the power to
touch people.
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The Songwriter
Les DeRose is a musician — think Brandi Carlile meets Norah
Jones — who plays gigs all over town. She’s also an artist, poet
and Fins bartender.
What kind of art are you working on these days? Lately I’ve been
painting on ukuleles and selling them on Etsy. And pet portraits, too.
My favorite thing is to paint the ocean, and I’m currently working on a
collection of wave pieces.
What do you say when people ask what you are? Singersongwriter.
How’d you get into it? My mom is a music teacher so I don’t ever
remember a time without music. She taught me piano at probably four
or five. But I didn’t pick up a guitar until my late 20s. I taught myself a
Jewel song and I’ve been playing ever since.
Does bartending inform your music at all, or is it just a way to
pay the bills? Pretty much a means to an end, but the interaction with
people from all walks of life does give me insight.
You wouldn’t sing in public until 2012. How’d you get over the
nerves? The pure agony of pushing through. It still happens. I played
Two Mile and the Crab House for the first time last weekend and was a
hot mess wondering if they’d like me. But this has given me the courage
to take on things I’m afraid to do in other areas of my life.
Any reason you choose to stay here, besides the fact that you’re
from this county? I never spent much time in Cape May until 2015
when I was part of the annual Singer-Songwriter event. I realized this
place is magical — so much art and music. From open mics in Philly, I’ve
learned just how many Philly musicians come down here because there
is so much more paying work to go around.
Do you enjoy playing some covers or would you rather do all
your own stuff? I love seeing how people react to my take on a song
that means something to them. That’s what is great about music, the
connection it provides.
With songwriting, do you ever wish you could just... shut it off?
Photography was like that for me. I could never be present in the
moment because I was always looking for that shot. But technology
makes it easier with songwriting. When an idea comes to me, I often
make a quick recording I can revisit later.
Who would you most like to collaborate with? Amos Lee.
What’s the dream? I don’t need to be rich or famous. I just
want my original music to be out there — I’m working on an EP with
producers in Philly — and hopefully people will like it.
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Once Upon A Time
On The Mall
An excerpt from Ben Miller’s best-selling history book, The First Resort, shows (and
tells) the fascinating story of Washington Street, long before the cars stopped.
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From its creation in 1832,
Washington Street has
been Cape May’s commercial
district. Rather
than the boutiques and
restaurants that line
today’s pedestrian walk,
Washington Street was populated with
traditional businesses like a mechanic’s
garage, beauty salon and a furniture store.
It was also the place to find other smalltown
staples like the town bank, pharmacy
and a movie theatre.
All that changed in 1970 when
city leaders commenced work on the
Washington Street Mall, the new economic
hub of their planned Victorian
Village. The new walkway would extend
along the three busiest blocks, from Perry
Street to Ocean Street. The project was
created to help revitalize downtown Cape
May and a federal Housing and Urban
Development grant was utilized.
“A key feature of the restoration project
will be development of a three-block
This 1917 picture shows Freihofer’s market at the corner of Washington and Union streets.
Cape May County Museum
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Above: Brown’s Millinery and Dry
Goods Store would later be home
to the first Casale’s shoe shop on
what is now the middle block of the
mall; Washington Street in 1970,
right before it was torn apart by
bulldozers to construct the mall.
Right: This 1960s picture was taken
in front of the old Merchant’s Bank
looking east towards Ocean Street.
Taken at the same time as the above
picture, the image below shows the
view looking west across Decatur
(note that wonderful Ugly Mug sign).
Cape May County Historical Museum,
Walt Campbell, Lew and Jane Kurland
HE YEAR
are likely to see.”
The First Resort
FIRST RESORT
Fun, Sun, Fire & War in Cape May, America’s Original Seaside Town
ity dwellers were descending
e Atlantic Ocean and the
vacation was born.
with renowned plantation
and. But the Civil War and
merica’s most famous resort
zy of national excitement...
uring two world wars, the
s when a German U-boat
took a bitter battle in the
Fun, Sun, Fire
& War in
Cape May,
America’s
Original
Seaside Town
BEN MILLER
«
n the country and some of
w Cape May went from
k.
BEN MILLER
The third edition of The First
Resort has been updated
with wonderful historical
photographs of Cape May,
along with new stories. This
beautiful, 304-page, full-color
coffee table book is available
for $35 from Exit Zero Filling
Station, from ezstore.us and
from Whale’s Tale, Cape
Atlantic Book Company,
Tommy’s Folly, West End
Garage and Sunset Beach.
exit zero 67 july

Work on the Washington Street Mall gets underway — each of these images are looking west from what is now the middle portion of the mall.
The Pink House is visible at its original location on Congress Place in the first two images. Lew and Jane Kurland
Mayor Frank Gauvry officially opens the new Washington Street Mall in Cape May in June of 1971. Also attending were councilmen Bernie
Berk and Mickey Blomkvest. Mayor Gauvry had fought long and hard to introduce the idea of an outdoor mall, a relatively new concept.
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Moonglow jewelry
Wear a picture of the moon
from the date of
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Corner of Jackson & Carpenters, Cape May
609-884-0014
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609-827-8320
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Washington Street saw a rededication ceremony in June of 2008 when the newly renovated
mall was officially re-opened. Mayor Jerry Inderwies cuts the ribbon, joined by former
mayors Mickey Blomkvest and Frank Gauvry, who officially opened the original mall in 1971.
Aleksey Moryakov
Opposite page: Cape May’s shopping centerpiece at the beginning of a fall day. Even during
cooler months the mall is thronged with visitors, thanks to the many events and festivals that
happen in town from September through December in particular. Charles Riter
mall on Washington Street, where such
store-front and other modernization as
had occurred in the last few decades will
be replaced by Victorian store facades,
tearing out of present sidewalks and converting
the street into an Old-World type
park mall,” explained the Decatur Daily
Review on October 30, 1967.
The city leaders were trying to attract
new vacationers to the city and they
believed that a Victorian-themed outdoor
mall would fit well in Cape May.
Merchants who owned stores along the
affected blocks of Washington Street were
not so sure. They fought the development
initially, believing that the mall would
take away customers and drive them out
of business.
By the time the project was completed,
on June 24, 1971, costs topped $3.8 million
and three blocks of the busy street
were turned into a thriving pedestrian
mall.
In a glowing feature, the Philadelphia
Inquirer reported on June 25, 1971,
“Except for the hot pants and bikinis it
was like band concert day in 1875 in Cape
May Thursday. Coast Guard musicians
ploomped away on trumpets, clarinets
and drums. U.S. Congressman Charles W.
Sandman offered some patriotic thoughts.
The town council lined up on a temporary
platform as Mayor Frank A. Gauvry
lauded the local populace. An outdoor
café did a rush business as the sun
warmed the 19th century store fronts…
Thursday’s occasion was the dedication of
a seven-year dream.”
The Washington Street Mall was
hailed as a huge success and, in the years
following its construction, the idea was
emulated in cities all around the country.
In Cape May, the flowers and trees, open
walkways and plentiful park benches were
well appreciated by visitors and locals.
For 36 years, the mall served the city
of Cape May well, though it had begun to
look a little worn with time. The trees had
grown tall and full, cracking their decorative
concrete planters and blotting out
the sun in spots. The walkways that were
constructed with a concrete and pebble
mixture had broken apart and shifted,
leaving cracks and uneven sidewalks that
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presented tripping hazards.
In early 2007 the city unveiled a
revamp for the mall. Designs called for
the excavation of all three blocks, virtually
wiping the slate clean.
After the underground public works
lines were replaced, the mall would be
reconstructed, better than before.
Once all the plans were finalized, work
began in November of 2007. The renovation
was done in phases to allow the businesses
to stay open throughout the sixmonth
project. By the end of February,
all underground work was completed and
the concrete foundation was laid.
Red brick pavers were positioned over
the concrete, oversized bench planters
were constructed on all three blocks, two
fountains were erected, a multitude of
new trees and plants were added in specially
built tree boxes that also feature
seating, and recessed lighting systems
were installed.
The only real setback occurred with
regard to the three electrical transformers
that were incorporated into the mall in
1971. Officials hoped to be able to relocate
them away from the main walkway,
but the plan was too expensive. Instead,
wooden pergolas were built to hide them
and vining plants were positioned at the
corners of the pergolas. By May of 2008,
work was complete and the new mall was
a big hit with visitors and local residents
alike.
In the years since the renovation, the
new trees have matured and grown while
the vining plants have spread across the
wooden planks of the pergolas with their
flowery blooms, creating the feel of a garden
paradise.
In 2012, the sidewalks on Carpenter’s
Lane and Lyle Lane, which run parallel to
the mall, were given their own renovation,
with the same brick pavers as the mall.
Natural rock facades and solid slabs of
granite were added to the bench planters
in spring of 2014.
The Washington Street Mall may feature
a new look, but it’s retained the
same congenial atmosphere as always,
with merchants interacting with customers,
diners enjoying food in a beautiful
outdoor setting and countless pedestrians
being offered samples of fudge.

MaryAnn’s
CONTEMPORARY & ESTATE JEWELRY
LOOK YOUR BEST
A Sampling of Our Vintage Sapphire
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511 WASHINGTON STREET MALL, CAPE MAY
(NEXT TO FUDGE KITCHEN) • 609-898-8786
Also at: 15 N. Black Horse Pike, Runnemede • 856-939-0230
CASALE’S SHOE STORE
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every board
tells a story
Noticed the myriad surfboards
decorating some of your favorite Cape
May places? They’re not just there to
add a splash of color...
article diane stopyra
photography aleksey moryakov
After Chris Monge graduated college in 2004, he traveled
to Costa Rica where he bought a Jeep Cherokee and
traveled the country (and nearby Panama) with friends.
In a little under three months, they surfed 20 different
breaks, sleeping in tents on the beach or in surf camps
and hostels. “The car broke down about 10 times,” he said. “So
we got stuck in some towns for five, six, sometimes seven days.”
It was a memorable adventure, but if you ask Chris what
board he was riding during this time, he’ll have to think about
it for a while. (“It was probably a six-foot-one Dan Taylor from
Southend Surf Shop,” he’ll finally decide.)
Between Chris and his dad, Chris Monge, Sr, with whom he
owns, along with mom Jeannie, Bella Vida café on Broadway in
West Cape May, they’ve ridden about 50 boards over the years,
and their current quiver contains around 20. It’s hard to keep
track of where each one is at any given time. Some are being
stored in Costa Rica, where the father-son surf duo travel with
friends and family multiple times a year for swell.
Other boards rotate onto the wall of Bella Vida.
Up there right now is a six-foot twin-fin Canyon, a fishstyle
board so named for its fish-shaped tail. It’s one that Chris
has lugged all over South Jersey, Costa Rica, California and
Hawaii.
Chris Monge has ridden around 50 boards over the years with his
father, Chris, Sr. Some of them are on the walls at the family’s
Bella Vida Café.
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“I rode it on the morning of my wedding
nine years ago in Kauai for four or five hours,”
he said. “They had to come get me out.”
Now, Chris is having two more boards
made by a Delaware-based shaper that will
serve as restaurant decor (one will bear
the Bella Vida logo). But he and his family
members will also take them off the wall and
to the beach whenever the swell is up and the
tide is right.
Recently, Chris has been focused on
sharing his stoke with his two kids, six-yearold
Koa and four-year-old Anela (“warrior”
and “angel,” respectively, in Hawaiian).
“They’re both surfing already,” he said.
“Not without my help, but both have been on
a surfboard. My son can stand up and ride
a wave and my daughter will get there this
summer I think. It probably won’t be too long
before it’s them grabbing boards off the wall
at Bella Vida.”
In the meantime, hanging these boards
in the restaurant is a nice reminder of what
Bella Vida stands for.
“Things can get pretty hectic doing this
job,” Chris said. “The boards help create that
laidback energy we’re striving for.”
Last fall, when it came time to find
artwork for the new Boarding House
hotel on Lafayette Street, owner
Jonathan Hirsch crowd-sourced the
local community for old surfboards.
Given the property’s overall vibe, which pays
homage to Cape May’s wave-sliding history
(see ‘Shack Attack’ on page 80 for more
information), this felt like an obvious choice.
But Jonathan came up dry.
“What we discovered,” he told us, “is that
if a surfer loves a board, it doesn’t matter if
it’s dinged up or broken in half — they’re not
getting rid of it. A lot of people repurpose
their boards as artwork in their own homes.
One local surfer we spoke with uses them
to line the fence in his backyard. So we had
a tough time finding anyone willing to give
them up.”
But Jonathan hadn’t totally wiped out
yet. He contacted Chris Sciarra of Kona
Surf Company, who makes boards in his
Wildwood shop and also partners with
custom shapers around the country. Working
with a South Jersey pro, Jonathan explained,
fits perfectly with the ethos of the hotel,
which has made a point of collaborating with
local entrepreneurs. (Boarding House coffee
comes from Jesse and Leigha Lambert over at
Coffee Tyme, and their bath products come
from Corinne Rietheimer of Shore Soaps.)
Together, around the beginning of last
November, Jonathan and Chris spent three
weeks designing fiberglass boards before
sending these designs to a custom shaper in
California.
Six months later, and just in time for a
grand opening, the finished products were
hung above each of the hotel’s king-size
beds. Four are mid-size at seven foot and
three (including one called the Lemon Head)
are short boards at five-foot-eight. Each
have been imprinted with the The Boarding
House logo, and each are the real deal.
“It was important to us that these aren’t
just artistic,” Jonathan said. “We wanted the
boards to be something you could, in theory,
take off the wall and into the water.”
Of course, guests shouldn’t actually do
this — the hotel offers board racks in each
room so you can BYOB (bring your own
board) or rent from a local shop.
Just don’t be surprised if you see Jonathan
paddling out beside you.
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and treat your body to an uplifting,
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richly-appointed ambiance of total comfort.
Book your appointment today
by calling 609.898.1003.
Massages • Facials • Manicures
Pedicures • Baths • Couple’s Packages
607 Jefferson Street • Cape May, NJ
www.CapeMayDaySpa.com 609.898.1003
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“We wanted the boards to be something you could, in theory, take off the wall and into the water,” says Boarding House’s Jonathan Hirsch.
exit zero 75 july

“If your board is broken, it means you had a good time,” says Big Wave Burritos owner Mickey Chew, whose boards adorn the ceiling.
“I’ve got an extra board in my garage,”
he said. “We’ll hold onto it in case one gets
damaged… or maybe I’ll attach some fins
and catch some waves myself.”
The surfboards on the walls and
ceiling of Big Wave Burritos have
had their 15 minutes of fame. In
2016, the movie Wetlands, starring
Heather Graham (Austin Powers) and
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (The Bourne
Identity), filmed in Cape May County. When
the production crew asked to rent the Big
Wave boards as props, owner Mickey Chew
obliged.
“I haven’t seen the movie,” he told us.
“But I’ve heard there’s a scene where they’re
doing drugs off my dad’s old longboard,
which is funny — he’s a retired cop.”
But the real action these boards have
seen didn’t happen in front of a camera — it
happened in the water. Locals have donated
a number of boards to Big Wave from their
surfing adventures around the globe. Other
boards Mickey made himself. Some he’s
used to chase waves to Africa, Australia, Asia
and South America.
Mickey grew up — and learned to
surf — on the Cape. In high school shop
class at Lower Cape May Regional, to the
wonderment of his teacher, he crafted
a surfboard out of LCMR’s old wooden
bleachers. (The final product broke the
window of his car before he even got it to
the beach, and now it serves as the window
counter at Big Wave.) But immediately
following graduation, he moved to Hawaii
for eight years where he worked odd jobs and
nearly drowned more than once.
On a custom board made for him by
exit zero 76 july
eccentric Hawaiian shaper Dick Brewer, he
paddled out at Pipeline on the North Shore,
the break that claims more lives annually
than anywhere else in the world.
“You’re dropping in on these two-story
buildings, but the water is only knee-to-waist
deep,” he said. “I was knocked unconscious,
out cold. When I came to, I was stuffed in the
cracks of the reef, jammed in this hole, with a
huge cut on my head and back.”
In a separate incident, he got caught
on the inside — that’s surfspeak for getting
caught in the washing-machine whitewater
of a broken set of waves. He was on a
ten-foot-ten Jeff Bushman board made
specifically for the 30-foot swells at Waimea
Bay. Somehow, in each case, he managed to
make it out alive.
Now, both these boards — a little worse
for wear — hang in Big Wave.

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Cabanas operating manager Payton Bowman with artist Mike DeMusz, who illustrated the bar’s famous surfboards.
Mickey describes the scene at his eatery
like a “surfboard graveyard.” Ninety-percent
of these fiberglass shapes are broken from
various liquid thrashings around the globe.
But, he adds, that’s what each one was made
for, and he’d never part with any.
“If your board is broken,” he said, “It
means you had a good time.”
Someone once swiped a surfboard
with Bob Marley’s face on it from
Cabanas Beach Bar and Grill on
Beach Avenue. It was brought back
after the bar put out a reward — a
$50 bar tab. “But then it was stolen again,”
said local artist Mike DeMusz. He’s the one
who repaired, sanded down, primed and
painted the musician’s likeness on the board.
“Last I heard, it was somewhere in Florida.”
At any given time, there are about 25
surfboards lining the walls, ceiling and
stage at Cabanas. Several of them have
been painted by Mike, including a second
Bob Marley board currently affixed to the
bar’s stage, where pro-surfer-turned-folkmusician
Donavon Frankenreiter performed
in August of 2015. Another has an image of
the Beatles on it, while others have beach
scenes. All together, Mike estimates these
commissions amount to two weeks worth of
work, spread out over the course of several
years beginning in 2009.
“I enjoy painting on boards, though you’re
limited with the scenes you can do because
of the shape,” Mike said. “You usually have
some kind of reference, whether that image
comes from a book or the internet. Then you
do several sketches and it changes as you go.
You make it your own.”
Some of the boards you see around
the bar were donated by local surfers,
including former Cabanas bartender Donnie
Piacentine and local musician Nathan
Cwik, who frequently plays the Cabanas
stage. The more vintage shapes from the
1970s were gifted by Southend Surf Shop
on Beach Avenue. Still others have come
from Cabanas operating manager, Payton
exit zero 78 july
Bowman, who calls himself a “non-serious,
hobbyist surfer.”
“When I was a college student at West
Chester University, friends and I traveled
a great deal to surf during breaks,” he
said. “I remember one time in Dana Point,
California, we found ourselves pushed out
of the lineup by professional surfers and
even some kids on boogie boards. The waves
weren’t even that big but the intimidation
factor was high. We still laugh about that.”
Having the boards around, he adds, is a
great reminder to do just that — reminisce.
“Those were fun times, but we were
never picture people,” Payton said. “We never
wanted to come out of a moment to take
photographs. But we can look at these boards
and remember this trip or that adventure.
They’re a good conversation piece.”
Just don’t ask to rent them out, which
Cabanas customers frequently do. “We used
to allow it — just take it off the wall and go,”
Payton said. “But now they’re all enjoying a
well-earned retirement.”

a cape may moment
The ribbon-cutting for the Old Grange Restaurant, under new ownership, at Historic Cold Spring Village on May 23. Aleksey Moryakov
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exit zero 79 july

SHACK ATTACK
A sneak peek inside the hip new hotel that’s
changing the way we stay in Cape May
INTERVIEW JACK WRIGHT
PHOTOGRAPHY JESSICA ORLOWICZ
BOARDING HOUSE

Jonathan Hirsch represents the third generation of the family to make a career out of the
hospitality business. His grandfather Harry, a Holocaust survivor, opened the Montreal Beach
Resort more than 50 years ago before handing the reins to his sons, Larry and Joe. We chatted
with Jonathan after the launch of the family’s boutique new hotel the Boarding House.
The Hirsch family has operated the
Montreal for more than 50 years. Why now
to launch the Boarding House? It’s been a
work in progress for almost 10 years for me.
After graduating from the School of Hospitality
at Boston, I always had the dream of
opening a new hotel within our family. But
when I joined the family business, I was
pretty lost. I came back to Cape May eager
and fresh with ideas from working in hotels
in Boston and Atlantic City, ready to show
my family how to, in my opinion, properly
run a hotel.
How did that go? Most of my ideas
failed miserably — my approach was all
wrong. This was a hotel operation that had
an unbelievably loyal customer base with
guests returning year after year for the same
dates and same guest rooms. It was an ideal
exit zero 82 july
scenario for any seasonal beach destination.
My father and uncle ran a tight ship and it
showed. We had long-standing staff, loyal
customers and a property that was beautifully
maintained. At that time, the only
operation that needed direction was food
and beverage, which I took over and still
enjoy doing today. Harry’s is a ton of fun
and keeps me plenty busy, but I’ve always
wanted to get back to the hotel side of hospitality
and I’m finally getting that opportunity
with the Boarding House.
How/when did the idea originate?
Was it planned or one of those things that
happen by chance? Our family used to be
involved in the self-storage business. We
had two properties in Cape May County
called A Safe Keeping. Around four years
ago, we were approached to sell by an investor
purchasing mini storage businesses
throughout the country. The offer was too
good to refuse. In the process, we got an
opportunity to buy the Cape Winds Motel.
It had been on the market for some time and
we originally looked into using it for housing
summer staff. However, a post-summer
trip to Montauk, up in Long Island, made me
push for the idea of renovating and rebranding
the property.
How did Montauk inspire you? It was
in the middle of an interesting transition.
There were a ton of mom-and-pop motels
being sold to hospitality groups and investors.
They took these motels, which were
old, beat-up and uninspiring and turned
them into amazing destinations. They had
great design, cool amenities and an emphasis
on creating a chill vibe. I loved how all

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exit zero 83 july

the hotels helped sell Montauk as a cool,
sleepy surf town. They were luxurious but
simplistic, like a high-end surf shack. Cape
May already had such a rich surf culture, but
there wasn’t any hotels that helped sell that
surf lifestyle. It seemed obvious that Cape
Winds was the perfect place to implement a
project like this.
How does the family dynamic work
when it comes to deciding on things like the
design and the name? Everything we do is
always a group effort, even including family
members who aren’t involved in the day-today
operations. My uncle Joe oversaw the
construction and building of the project. My
dad [Larry], who is the brains behind the
hotel operations of the Montreal, provided
his expertise in making sure the Boarding
House had the proper procedures and
requirements to operate. I handled more of
the design and strategy, helping direct the
initial vision of the hotel. I want to give my
dad and my uncle a lot of credit as they really
welcomed such a different concept and
direction to the project. I heard them say the
word “interesting” a lot during our development
and I know we haven’t always agreed,
but it’s inspiring to know that they trust me
and are willing to take a risk on me.
So what was the most “interesting” part
of the project? The hotel’s name. I received a
lot of pushback about The Boarding House.
I loved the play on words and I already had a
general idea of the logo and vibe of the hotel
in my mind — but not everyone agreed.
Once we received the renderings from the
interior design firm, it all started to make
more sense for everyone, but there were
still some hesitations. My thoughts were
that it’s a gamble we couldn’t lose. If people
loved the name, they would talk about
it. If they hated the name, they would talk
about it even more, but also become slightly
intrigued. Seems to be working so far…
It seems to me that the boarding house
is appealing to a younger demo that doesn’t
really have too many options right now in
Cape may. Is that fair to say? I would answer
that by saying yes and no. In no way do I want
to limit our customer base or have possible
exit zero 84 july
guests feel that they aren’t welcome. But I
think every developer wants their business
to attract younger customers. One thing I
learned from Harry’s is that people want to
spend time at the places that are places to be
seen. Most of those places attract a younger
crowd. Do we cater only to millennials and
younger groups? Definitely not. But many of
the trends that are important to our younger
customers are just as important to our other
guests.
Such as? Providing more tech-friendly
options, local amenities, options for the
active/healthy traveler, eco-friendly practices
or creating concierge-type services.
Our customer base is looking for more than
a cookie-cutter beach hotel or just a place
with a bed. They’re looking for a place that
they can get the perfect Instagram and Facebook
photo. I know plenty of Baby Boomers
who are on Facebook more than their millennial
children. They want a place that is
cool and trendy without breaking the bank.
Do you think this could be the start of
a new trend in Cape May? I’m thinking of

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the new Lokal that’s opening soon, and
what the Beach Shack is doing. I look at it
as the new age of B&Bs in Cape May. We
share many of the same qualities that make
the established B&Bs so special, from great
design to impeccable service. We just do it
in a slightly different manner. Instead of
wanting them to take a step back in time, we
want our guests to feel like they are staying
at their buddy’s beach cottage.
What’s the feedback been like so far?
Honestly, it’s been amazing. When we
first brought this project to the public, we
received mixed feelings, and understandably
so. Some people were confused by the
name, some were concerned with the idea
of the rooftop deck. We valued all their sentiments
and made sure to create an environment
that wouldn’t cause them concern.
That respect among your neighbors and city
officials goes a long way. It shows, because
the feedback we have received from them
and everyone else has totally exceeded our
expectations. So many people have told us
that it was exactly what Cape May needed;
something that was missing in town.
Tell us how you have been trying to integrate
the work of local artisans. This was
exit zero 86 july
one of my favorite parts about developing
the Boarding House. We were able to work
with a lot of amazing local artists and businesses.
We had custom surfboards made by
Kona Surf Co. Our in-room hand soaps are
created by Shore Soaps Cape May. We have
a signature Boarding House coffee blend by
Cape May Roasters, which has been getting
rave reviews. All of our hotel artwork
is done by local artist David Macomber and
photographer Kathy Fallon. David actually
put together a beautiful custom piece for our
lobby, too. We use local wineries, breweries
and distilleries for our guest Happy Hour.
Our architect even has a summer home
here in Cape May. We’re a small community
and the relationships we develop have
a huge impact on our business and hopefully
theirs as well. It’s not only cross-promoting,
but really it’s about selling Cape May to
our guests. Visitors want to be engulfed in
their vacation destination and having these
handcrafted, unique amenities help them
accomplish that.
Do you see this being a year round
accommodation? It’s definitely in our mindset.
Right now, we plan on staying open on
weekends until the beginning of December,
around the West Cape May Christmas
parade. With our location being so close to
the center of town, it really gives us a lot of
opportunities. We’re a block away from the
Washington Inn and a short walk to the
mall. With the renovation to the Lafayette
Street Park within the next couple of years,
our location will be even more ideal. It’s not
easy to fill a 70-room beachfront hotel in the
middle of winter, so the prospect of having
a year-round operation for the 11 rooms at
the Boarding House is exciting. We are now
in discussion with our team on several different
ideas and packages for the fall and
winter to coincide with all the events and
activities Cape May now offers in the shoulder
season.
What’s going on in the roof deck area
and what’s the view like from up there?
We had so much fun designing the rooftop
bar at Harry’s and saw how many people
enjoyed that space. We felt the Boarding
House needed some sort of gathering space.
A space that could feel like an extension of
their room as well as a location to enjoy the
natural beauty of Cape May. Unlike Harry’s,
there’s no bar or restaurant on the rooftop
or anywhere on property, so it’s a little more

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exit zero 87 july

peaceful. We have these big, bright yellow
umbrellas to help block the sun and some
fun lounge seating. It’s really a great place to
enjoy your morning coffee or a glass of wine
or beer. We are even hosting a number yoga
sessions on the roof this summer.
What’s the view like? Awesome! You
have a clear view of Cape Island Creek as
well as some of the beautiful Victorian
homes on Washington Street. We can’t wait
for the Lafayette Street park to be finished,
which will make the view even better.
Okay, switching gears here... what are
your favorite places to stay in the country
and the world? Well, the first thing my wife
Allyson would say is that every vacation
is a work vacation. When you work in the
hospitality industry, your work brain never
turns off. You can’t help but notice the intricate
details of the operational side of your
hotel plus the amenities they offer and the
design. You make mental notes and take
inventory of everything that really stood out
and what could be implemented back home.
The Boarding House is really a mix of many
trips that Allyson and I have taken. Since
the girls have been born, our trips are not
as lengthy or as far away as they used to be.
Places like Montauk, Newport, Nantucket,
Lewes and Rehoboth, Sonoma, Savannah
and Nashville all gave us inspiration for
the Boarding House. We try to stay away
from major hotel chains, focusing more on
smaller boutique hotels brands. One specific
hospitality group is Lark Hotels, which
operate primarily in New England. They’ve
really been able to take the template of converting
smaller properties into a string of
successful year-round and seasonal hotels.
After Allyson and I went to Thailand for our
honeymoon, we learned the true definition
exit zero 88 july
of customer service. We were treated like
royalty, whether we were at our resort or just
a small hole-in-the-wall noodle shop.
Now tell us the perfect day in Cape May
for you and the family. I’d like to say I’m an
early riser, but I’m far from it. I try to motivate
myself to work out in the morning, but
that obviously never happens. However, if
it’s my perfect day, I’m going to make the
impossible possible. I’d like to say that I’d
get up early with my golden retriever, Sadie,
to go paddle boarding. I just got this new
board that should be able to hold enough

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Take The Chill
Challenge!
Take an active role in demonstrating
that you care about Cape May by making
some energetic energy choices!
• Buy locally and invest in and use your own reusable grocery bags
• Invest in and use a reusable water bottle and coffee mug
• Use cloth towels instead of paper
• Conserve water in many ways – turn off completely when not in use
like when cleaning your teeth
• Cut your shower time and use cooler water
• Rinse and Recycle all that you can
• When you can, ride a bike or walk
• Be respectful of our trees
• Find local farmers markets and shop there – it’s fresh and fun
• Carry litter from the beach and use containers provided
• Dry towels and clothing on a clothes line when possible
• STOP idling your car
• Turn off lights when not in use/needed
• Use LED light bulbs and unplug electronics when not in use
• Grow your flower or vegetable garden with plants that attract bees
and butterflies, and require less water
• Tread lightly – explore local nature centers and trails
• Build responsibly – Support Green Energy!
ACT PERSONALLY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR THE
CAPE MAY COMMUNITY WE ALL LOVE!
Environmental Commission meets fourth Tuesday each month at
11am in City Hall. All are welcome. Get involved! THANK YOU!
weight to take her or my kids. My favorite place to paddleboard is the
docks near the Lobster House and Cape Island Creek. Afterwards,
I’d meet Allyson and the girls for breakfast at Uncle Bill’s — the girls
love the silver dollars and lots of bacon — or Red Store where I could
eat 10 orders of their pancakes. Emme, our oldest, loves animals,
so a trip to see the alpacas or the zoo would most likely be next on
our list. Lunch would consist of me devouring dozens of oysters and
stone crab claws at the Lobster House while the girls watch the boats
passing by. And on my perfect day I wouldn’t even have to wait for a
table. After dropping off the girls with their grandparents for naptime,
Ally and I would head over to Cape May Winery to sit outside
and enjoy some wine and live music. We’d also stop over for a drink
at Nauti Spirits before we head back home.
You left out dinner. Dinner with the girls would be at Mayer’s
Tavern. They have always been really accommodating and the fried
scallops are always delicious. My youngest, Addie, who’s 18 months
is my scallop-eating partner in crime. After dinner, we’d take the
girls to the boardwalk to play some skeeball and head across the
street to Fine Fellows for ice cream. It’s like walking into Willy Wonka’s,
and the look on the girls faces are priceless. By that point, if
were not in a food coma or if the girls actually go to sleep at a reasonable
time, we might be able to sneak out for a stiff drink at The Virginia
or the Washington Inn Wine Bar. I know I haven’t mentioned
Harry’s or the Boarding House, but to end my perfect day, I’d receive
my end-of-the-night reports letting me know we did 1200 covers
without a hitch at Harry’s and that we were sold out with happy
guests at the Boarding House. Then I can sleep easy.
exit zero 90 july

a cape may moment
Local dance legend Joanne Reagan celebrated 50 years in business with a party at Town Bank fire hall on June 2. Aleksey Moryakov
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Activities

GO PLAY! Historic Cold Spring
Village, just north of downtown
Cape May, is a great place for the
family, with events like a Civil War
recreation and many more.

GO FLY! Morey’s Piers in the
Wildwoods were voted the top
seaside amusement park in the
world. There are more than 100
rides, from gentle to G-force.
Family Activities
Cape May offers a kaleidoscopic variety
of activities that you can enjoy with the
family. Here is a big list of ideas to get you
started...
To the Boardwalk!
Morey’s Piers have been providing fun and
games to families on the Wildwood boardwalk
for decades. There’s a reason they were
voted Best Seaside Park in the World! (Yes,
the world.) Dare to take on some epic roller
coasters like the Sea Serpent, scare yourself
silly with the Ghost Ship attraction, or check
out the revival of the KONG ride 35 years later
as you soar 60 feet in the air circling the legendary
giant gorilla. From the Ferris wheel
to delicious curly fries you won’t leave disappointed.
Also for some cool activities on a
hot summer day visit their water parks Raging
Waters or Ocean Oasis. moreyspiers.com
Cape May-Lewes Ferry
Take a trip over to Lewes, Delaware, a small,
quaint seaside town, then make sure you
check out bustling Rehoboth Beach, the Fenwick
Island Lighthouse or Cape Henlopen
State Park. The CMLF offers special events
and boat rides, including musical boat cruises
like Rock the Boat and Tropical Tuesday
cruises (reservations required). You can also
take advantage of the tax-free shopping at
the outlets. Or just enjoy the quiet and vastness
of the bay on the deck of the ferry as you
watch for dolphins and whales. The Cape May
Terminal has free mini-golf and waterfront
dining at On the Rocks with live music every
night. Go for a family outing or enjoy drinks
on the waterfront. capemaylewesferry.com
Historic Cold Spring Village
Ever wonder what it was like to live in Cape
May 200 years ago? The answer can be found
at this open-air living history museum, a seven-minute
drive from town. Through interactive
upcoming events like Hands-On History,
Ghost Investigations, and Civil War, Time
Travel and Seafarer’s (pirates!) Weekends
you can experience different time periods and
have a great time. The many authentically
restored homes amid idyllic shaded areas
make it hard not to feel like Abe Lincoln’s in
office… and it’s even easier when the Civil
War re-enactment rolls into town. hcsv.org
exit zero 94 july
Whale and Dolphin Watching
Dolphins are fairly common in the waters off
Cape May, but it’s still a joy to see them. Cape
May Whale Watch and Research Center offers
you the chance to see them up close. You
might even see some whales. Tours take off at
Utsch’s Marina on Route 109 (previously on
Wilson Drive). There are also Teen Cruises,
Groove Cruises and wildlife tours, to get a
closer look at the beautiful birds and marine
life of Cape May. For directions or more information,
call 888-531-0055 or visit them on
the web at capemaywhalewatch.com. Cape
May Whale Watcher offers a a Sunset Cruise,
a Grand Lighthouse Cruise and weekend specials.
Located at the Miss Chris Marina on
Wilson Drive. Contact at 609-884-5445 capemaywhalewatcher.com
Cape May Family Treasure Hunt
Discover the fun of exploring Cape May and
uncovering its architectural elements from a
kid’s perspective. Packet includes a clue sheet
and map that will take you on a self-guided
discovery tour. Packets for the entire family
are available for a donation to MAC. capemaymac.org

a cape may moment
Competitors (some may call them nuts) taking part in the Escape the Cape triathlon on June 2. Aleksey Moryakov
Aviation Museum
at Cape May airport
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exit zero 95 july

GO CLIMB! Cape May’s famous
lighthouse has 199 steps to the
top. It’s a hike, but the views of
the ocean and tranquil Cape May
Point make it worthwhile.
Physick Estate Scavenger Hunt
Go on a clues hunt and discover answers to
questions as you search the grounds of the
1879 Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington
Street. Purchase a packet for $5 that includes
a clue sheet and ponder the answers as you
explore the estate grounds as a family. Learn
together about Cape May’s only Victorian
House Museum — one of the best examples of
Victorian Stick Style architecture in the country.
Available daily (only one packet is needed
per family). www.capemaymac.org
Antiquing
For a different kind of treasure hunt, check
out the amazing variety of antique shops
that are available in Cape May — just don’t
get disheartened when you see your favorite
childhood toy selling for $100. Here are some
treasure troves (all 609 area code): Antiques
Emporia, 405 West Perry Street (898-
3332), Bridgetowne Antiques, Broadway
and Mechanic (884-8107), Out of The Past
Antiques, 394 Myrtle Avenue, corner of Perry
(884-3357), Cape May Antique Center, 1228
Route 109 (898-4449). And although it’s not
an actual antique store, do not miss West End
Garage, on West Perry Street. This shopping
mecca always has some great antiques from
various vendors.
Cape May Lighthouse, Oil House,
Museum Shop
The structure, built in 1859, has 199 steps
leading to the watch gallery with a panoramic
view of the Jersey Cape, Delaware Bay and
the Atlantic Ocean. Admission to the Visitors’
Orientation Center and the ground floor
of the lighthouse is free. Open daily. Tower
admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children
3-12. capemaymac.org
World War II Lookout Tower Museum
Fire Control Tower No. 23 on Sunset Boulevard
is New Jersey’s last freestanding World
War II tower, part of the immense Harbor
Defense of the Delaware system known as
Fort Miles. After the award-winning restoration,
visitors can now climb to the sixthfloor
spotting gallery while reliving the
homeland defense efforts during World War
II. The ground floor of the tower is fully accessible.
Open Saturdays and Sundays through
April 20 and daily beginning April 26 from
exit zero 96 july
11am-3pm. Open on Armed Forces Day May
18 10am-3pm. Entrance fee is $6 for adults
and $3 for children. capemaymac.org
Bay Springs Alpaca Farm
Near the end of beautiful New England Road,
Warren and Barbara Nuessle live what they
call the “alpaca lifestyle” — quiet and simple.
Visit them between 10am and 4pm on Saturdays
and Sundays ( you can also visit their
section in West End Garage on weekdays)
and see how alpaca fiber is spun into yarn, or
shop at their store, which carries many alpaca
related items (forget wool; go with an alpaca
sweater this winter!) Don’t forget to greet the
grazing alpacas. bayspringsalpacas.com
Beachcombing at the Cove
A naturalist from the Nature Center of Cape
May helps you explore the ocean, beach and
dunes of the Cove on Wednesdays from 8:30-
9:30am. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for
children (3 and under free) and can be purchased
at the Washington Street Mall Information
Booth, or on the day of the tour at the
Second Street Pavilion on the promenade.
njaudobon.org

exit zero 97 july

GO WILD! A short drive from
downtown Cape May is one of the
most highly rated zoos in America.
It’s also a beautiful country park.
Don’t miss it.
Aviation Museum
The Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation
Museum, a few minutes north of town, has a
wonderful collection of planes and helicopters
all set in a building. At its peak during WWII,
it accommodated 222 planes and 17,000
takeoffs and landings per month. Young or
old, the awe of flight will catch you like a net.
The museum is open daily from 9am-5pm.
Admission ($12 adult $10 children) will get
you a free tickets to Cold Spring Village during
the month of August! Also don’t miss the Airfest
event on Labor Day weekend! usnasw.org
Road Trip
It seems silly to suggest leaving Cape May, but
when the road calls, it’s hard not to answer.
Grab some gas and try out route 147 (Ocean
Drive). It runs through Wildwood Crest,
Stone Harbor and the Doo Wop-fashioned
hotels of Wildwood are a block away. It’s also
teeming with good eats; Two Mile Landing
Restaurant and Marina (609-522-1341), Harbor
View (609-884-5444) and H&H Seafood
(609-884-4555). All have a great selection of
food and fresh seafood you can only find at
the shore. Or why not explore Cumberland
County, home to bald eagles and Port Norris,
the one-time oyster capital of the world?
Make sure you don’t miss the A.J. Meerwald,
the lovely and historic Delaware Bay oyster
schooner in Cape May in August.
Cape May County Zoo
Recently voted the fifth best zoo in the United
States and 13th best in the world, Cape May
County Zoo is spectacular. It has 550 animals
representing 250 species from around the
globe and admission to the zoo and park is
free of charge. The zoo features a reptile room,
world of birds and an African Savanna within
its 200 acres of natural wooded areas. Pack
a lunch and get over there! Open daily from
10am-4:45pm, the zoo is just off Exit 11 on the
Parkway. While the zoo is free, donations at
the entrance are appreciated. cmczoo.com
Fisherman’s Wharf Tour
Take a guided tour of Fisherman’s Wharf at
the Lobster House Restaurant, and learn how
your seafood gets from the sea to your table
and discover how Cape May has become a
major fishing port. Tours are offered Tuesday
and Thursday at 11am beginning June 19.
exit zero 98 july
Admission is $10 adults and $7 children. capemaymac.org
Breakfast With the Pirates
Children hear a pirate story over breakfast and
then put on a pirate vest and eye patch to go
on a pirate-y treasure hunt on the grounds.
Wait … what is all that ruckus? It’s a band of
pirates! Offered July 11, July 25, August 8 and
22 at 9:30am. Admission is $18. Reservations
required. capemaymac.org
Harbor Safari
A marine biologist leads you through an
informational tour of Cape May’s beach and
marsh habitats and the ecosystems you’ll find
there. Tours are offered Tuesdays and Thursdays
at 10:30am-12 and begins at the Nature
Center of Cape May on Delaware Avenue. The
cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children. capemaymac.org
Breakfast in the Sky
Imagine a picnic in the sky complete with
white linens and china, along with culinary
delights created by Chef Wally Jurusz (formerly
of Pelican Club and Lucky Bones). Yes,

a cape may moment
The annual 12 Bars, No Cars bike tour stopped off at the C-View Tavern on June 1. Aleksey Moryakov
exit zero 99 july

Cape May
2019 Summer
ConCertS
caPe May cOnventiOn hall
Hit after hit all summer long
July 3
Pure Prairie league
and Orleans
“Aime” & “Still The One”
July 10
Max Weinberg’s JukebOx
Famed Springsteen Drummer
Performing Rock Classics
July 17
Jay and the aMericans
“Come A Little Bit Closer”
July 24
herMan’s herMits
starring Peter nOOne
“Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter”
July 31
Mavis staPles
“I’ll Take You There”
august 7
Jay siegel’s tOkens
“The Lion Sleeps Tonight”
august 14
the stylistics
“You Are Everything”
august 21
the drifters
“Under the Boardwalk”
all shOWs
begin at 8PM
Call 609.884.9565
or visit
capeMaycity.com
tickets: $ 48
there’s breakfast, then there’s THIS breakfast — aboard a Ferris wheel.
Advance reservation required. Up to four guests per car. For reservations
call 609-846-1624. Runs Saturday, Sunday and Monday from
July 23 through August 22. As a headsup, it costs $90 per car with two
guests, and $40 per additional person. moreyspiers.com
Miniature Golf
Nothing like putting around Cape May and working on your short
game and there are plenty of locations to do so. Cape May Miniature
Golf on Jackson Street features sculpted greens, lush landscape, and
real sand traps. There is also beachfront mini-golf available at Ocean
Putt, on the corner of Beach and Jackson. Check out the Stockton Inn’s
course on Beach amd Howard as well as a mini golf course at the shops
at Sunset Beach. To really up your game, visit the Starlux course in
Wildwood — it’s one of the most impressive courses around.
Emlen Physick Estate Guided Tour
A tour of the first two floors of the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate on
Washington Street with guides who relay the fascinating story of the
wealthy Philadelphians — the Physick family — who lived here, and
how the demands to save this house from destruction resulted in Cape
May becoming a National Historic Landmark City and a nationally
renowned tourist destination. This year, also learn about Victorian
food and foodways. Offered daily (except April 24). $15 adults and $8
children ages 3-12. capemaymac.org
Physick Estate Self-guided Tour
Explore the first two floors of the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate house on
your own and linger in the rooms that intrigue you, on this self-guided
tour of the Estate house. Photos welcome. Interpretive displays tell
you about important features in each room. A costumed interpreter
is available for questions. Try the fine audio tour! Saturdays through
April 20 and Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays beginning April 26,
1pm-4pm. capemaymac.org
Buy Fresh Produce
New Jersey is the Garden State for a good reason. There’s some great
farmland in the area. Markets like Duckie’s on Broadway, Central Park
on Central Avenue, No Frills Farm on Bayshore Road, Rea’s Farm Market,
Elfin Farm on Sunset Boulevard and Beach Plum Farm on Stevens
Street provide fresh local produce. Support local business and cook a
delicious meal with fresh ingredients!
Keeper’s on Duty
This entertaining session at the Education Center in Cape May Point
State Park is the perfect prelude to a climb of the Cape May Lighthouse.
Learn the historic beacon’s story, as told by one of the current keepers.
Sessions are free and offered Saturdays beginning May 25 at 1:15pm.
capemaymac.org
Parasail
You don’t need to be a daredevil to let your body rise 500 feet above the
ocean. Parasailing has become a popular pastime that lets you soar in
the air and see Cape May from a view many people never have. There
are two options to choose from: East Coast Parasail in Cape May at
Utsch’s Marina (609-898-8359), eastcoastparasail.com; and Atlantic
exit zero 100 july

new for 2019!
RUNAWAY TRAM
You thought the boardwalk tramcar was out of control,
wait until you ride this family friendly coaster!
Go to MoreysPiers.com for more information on
TripAdvisor’s Number 1 Destination on the Rise.

Parasail at the Two Mile Landing restaurant
and marina on Ocean Drive highway (609-
522-1869), atlanticparasail.com.
Lighthouse Storytime
Bring your young children to the Education
Center in Cape May Point State Park (adjacent
to the Cape May Lighthouse) to listen to
nautical tales and lighthouse adventure stories.
Story time is at 12:30pm every Saturday
beginning May 25, free. capemaymac.org
Sunset Beach
For a marvelous evening follow Sunset Boulevard
until it ends, then watch the sun sink
beyond the jutting concrete ship, the USS
Atlantus. “God Bless America” is played as
fallen veterans are honored while their casket
flags are lowered each evening from May
until September (a 40-year tradition). After
the ceremony, shop for souvenirs, or play a
round of mini-golf. You can always take a
peaceful walk along the beach strewn with
Cape May diamonds. sunsetbeachnj.com
Arcade
A trip to the beachfront is not the same without
a trip to the arcade. Grab your quarters
and treat the kids to games, lights and prizes
or relive beloved childhood memories. Skeeball
and photo booths? No one can turn that
down! Cape May Arcade has two locations,
one on Beach Avenue at Convention Hall
and the other at Beach Avenue and Jackson
Street.
Emlen Physick Estate Children’s Tour
This tour is set to let children find out what
life was like more than 125 years ago at the
Emlen Physick Estate that was built in 1879.
Tours run Mondays, beginning July 2 at 11am,
and tickets are $8 for all. capemaymac.org
West Cape May Farmers Market
The Farmers Market offers fresh local produce
and beautiful locally picked flowers.
You’ll also find live music, antiques, clothes,
trinkets, jewelry and much, much more.
Don’t forget the food from local venders and
businesses (the best BBQ you’ll every eat)!
Support local Cape May Businesses! Every
Tuesday from 3:30 to 7:30 pm from late June
to late August. Located in the Backyard Park
of West Cape May Municipal Complex.
Combination Trolley/Physick Estate Tour
Try out this guided tour of Cape May’s Historic
District, followed by a guided tour of
Cape May’s only Victorian house museum,
the Emlen Physick Estate, located at 1048
Washington Street. Offered daily except
April 24. Tickets are $25 for adults and $14
for children. capemaymac.org
Around Cape Island Boat Cruise
Board the Cape May Whale Watcher for a sightseeing
cruise around the island of Cape May.
See majestic Victorian architecture and hear
local legends and history. Offered 10am
daily through May 16, 10am and 6:30pm
daily beginning May 17. $35 for adults, $25
for children (ages 7-12). Purchase tickets in
advance at Washington Street Mall Information
Booth or Hill House office at the Physick
Estate, 1048 Washington St. Co-sponsored
by MAC and Cape May Whale Watcher. capemaymac.org
THE 1800S COME TO LIFE when you visit 27 restored, historic buildings on a 30-acre site where historically
clothed interpreters demonstrate blacksmithing, woodworking, printing, broom making, bookbinding, pottery,
tinsmithing and basket weaving. The Village is also home to a farm complete with a horse, chicken, sheep & more!
Enjoy special weekday family activities including horse-drawn wagon rides, crafts and historic games. Visitors will find
a Welcome Center, Country Store, Bakery, Ice Cream Parlor, Cold Spring Brewery and Cold Spring Grange Restaurant.
Special events are held every weekend from early June through mid-September.
Open Tuesday - Sunday from June 25 - September 1 from 10am-4:30pm
Please check Facebook
for hours and information
Free Entry & Parking For Brewery
Gift Cards and Growlers available!
Supported in part by a grant from New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism.
Kid & Pet Friendly
720 Route 9 Cape May NJ 08204 • WWW.HCSV.ORG • 609 898-2300
Cape May Whale & Dolphin Cruise
Board the 110-foot Cape May Whale Watcher
for a three-hour cruise and the chance to see
humpback whales, dozens of bottlenose dolexit
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The Robert Shackleton
Playhouse
405 Lafayette St. Cape May
609-770-8311
capemaystage.org
Cape May Stage's mission is to produce compelling impactful theatre that engages
audiences to enrich their lives.
Sylvia
By A.R. Gurney
Directed by Roy Steinberg
JUN 26-AUG 2
TUES-SAT | 8 PM
IN THIS HOWLING FUNNY COMEDY, GREG AND KATE RETURNED TO
LIVING IN THE CITY AND BEGIN THEIR LONG-AWAITED EMPTY NEST
YEARS. JUST AS EVERYTHING SEEMS PERFECT, GREG FINDS A SASSY
STRAY DOG NAMES SYLVIA AND EVERYTHING SUDDENLY CHANGES
Sidekicked
By Kim Powers
Directed by Roy Steinberg
AUG 7- SEP 20
TUES- SUN | 8 PM
It's the last night of filming "I Love Lucy" and America's favorite
sidekick - Ethel Mertz, played by Vivian Vance - has a lot to get
off her chest. This new play gives a glimpse into the behind the
scenes drama of "I Love Lucy" as well as incredible unheard
stories from Vivian Vance's extraordinary career.
8 PM
Steve
Ross
July 8th
Lucie
Arnaz
PRESENTS THE 2019 CAPE MAY STAGE
Broadway Series
Carole J.
Bufford
Will &
Anthony
Nunziata
July 15th Aug 12th Nov 30th
$50.00
each
After Party
Provided by The Washington Inn
Luxury Housing Provided by Cape Resorts
exit zero 103 july

phins, unusual sea birds or rare sea turtles. Guaranteed marine mammal
sightings! Offered 1pm Saturday and Sunday through April 14,
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 19-21, and daily beginning April 24.
Purchase tickets in advance at the Washington Street Mall Information
Booth. $50 for adults, $35 for children (ages 7-12). Co-sponsored by
MAC and the Cape May Whale Watcher. capemaymac.org
Romantic Activities
Here are a few ideas for activities that you and your loved one
can enjoy together. You will notice that some of these events
are family-friendly, too — we’ll let you be the judge of that.
Carriage Ride
Forget about the car, bike or your own two feet; let the clip-clop of a
horse’s trot guide you through the town in style. Taking a carriage is
a truly unique, historic and romantic way to see the town. Besides,
it beats parking. Cape May Carriage Company is based at Ocean
and Washington Street. Call 609-884-4466 for more information.
capemaycarriage.com
Moonlight Trolley Ride
Take this romantic trolley ride through the moonlit streets of Cape
May as a guide tells tales of Victorian romance. Tours are offered
Friday, April 19 at 8pm and Saturday, May 18 at 8:45pm. Adult tickets
are $15 and $12 for children. capemaymac.org
Breweries and Distilleries
Head over to Cape May Brewery for free tours, tasting and tour
package deals or just to enjoy a cold one. There are always at least
20 beers to try at any one time. On a hot, summer’s day, the Bog
(cranberry shandy) is a great call. And the Honey Porter is wonderful
any time! If you’re a hops fan, the Cape May IPA has won
awards, and the Coastal Evacuation is a double IPA. Call 609-889-
9933 or visit capemaybrewery.com. Make an afternoon of it by
visiting Cold Spring Brewery, next to Historic Cold Spring Village;
7 Mile Brewery in Rio Grande (609-365-7777) and Slack Tide in
Clermont, just north of Cape May Court House (609-478-2343).
And don’t miss the brand-new distillery in North Cape May, Nauti
Spirits (609-770-3381).
Wineries
Southern Jersey is emerging as a serious wine-growing region —
even The New York Times says so. The lovely Cape May Winery, on
Townbank Road has a weekly Grill Night, Oyster Sundays, tastings
and tours. Hawk Haven Vineyard and Winery in Rio Grande has
a beautiful wine bar and offers tastings and food pairings. Turdo
Vineyards is yet another option with tasting 12-5 daily. Call 609-
884-1169 for Cape May Winery or visit capemaywinery.com. Call
609-846-7347 for Hawk Haven or visit Hawkhavenvineyard.com.
Call 609-884-5591 for Turdo Vineyards, or visit turdovineyards.
com. For Willow Creek Winery, call 609-770 8782. Jessie Creek is a
little further north, in Cape May Court House, call 609-536-2023.
Moonlight Trolley Ride
Take this romantic trolley ride through the moonlit streets of Cape
May as a guide tells tales of Victorian romance. Tours are offered
exit zero 104 july

Tuesday, May 29, Thursday, June 28 and Friday,
July 27 at 8:45pm. Adult tickets are $12
and $8 for children. capemaymac.org
Get a Massage
Although Cape May is already relaxing, why
not make it even MORE relaxing? Try these
local miracle workers: Cape May Day Spa
(898-1003), Accent On Beauty (884-7040),
Sea Spa at Congress Hall (884-6543), The
Well (884-3177), Evolution (889-6900).
Theatre
Cape May Stage, based in a beautifully renovated
church in the center of town, is the
city’s premier Equity professional group and
features a season that’s packed with drama,
comedy, music and superb performances.
Call 609-884-1341 or visit capemaystage.
com. East Lynne Theater specializes in Early
American Theater and is well worth a visit.
They operate out of the First Presbyterian
Church on Hughes Street. Call 609-884-
5898 or visit eastlynnecompany.org. For a
bag of laughs, you can’t go wrong at Elaine’s
Dinner Theater, on Lafayette Street — call
609-884-5898 for reservations.
Sporty Activities
Cape May doesn’t just have to be about
relaxing. There are a lot of physical
activities to get out and try. You may
even lose a few calories. Good thing
given that lovely dinner you’re dreaming
about tonight.
Golf
Cape May National Golf Club has “three
of the best holes in New Jersey” according
to The Jersey Golfer and is nestled in 50
acres of private bird sanctuary. Visit Cape
May National at cmngc.com or call 609-
884-1563. But, if it’s your wedge that needs
some work, Cape May Par 3 will let you play
18 holes for just $15.95. No bag? No problem.
Cape May Par 3 rents clubs for just $2.
Visit them at capemaypar3.com or call 609-
889-2600. Laguna Oaks is another beautiful
200-acre course off exit 10 of the Garden
State Parkway. For more information call
609-465-4560 or visit lagunaoaksgolf.com
Bike Ride
It’s no secret to tourists and locals alike:
Cape May is a biking town. Have you even
tried to navigate the streets of Cape May
during rush hour? It’s enough to make you
want to start jogging places. But have no
fear; there are bike rentals that beat braking
(and braking again, then honking, then
braking once more). Cape Island Bike 727
Beach Avenue or 135 Sunset Boulevard
(609-884-8011), Shields Bike Rentals 11
Gurney Street (609-898-1818), Village
Bicycle 605 Lafayette Street (609-884-
8011), Congress Hall Bike Shop (888-944-
1816).
Nature Trails
Near the lighthouse in the Cape May
Point State Park are several trails weaving
through ponds, dunes, marsh and forest.
There are different levels of difficulty
marked by colors, and most of the trails
have wooden walkways. Even on the longest
trails, breathtaking scenes in a tranquil
setting will make you wish it were longer.
Make sure you bring comfortable shoes.
Yoga
Join the Gypsy Yogini Karen Bosna for
classes all over Cape May. Call 609-827-
exit zero 105 july

Benefits those living with paralysis in Cape May,
Atlantic, Ocean and Cumberland Counties.
Sunday, August 18th
16 Mile Crossing
from
Cape Henelopen, DE
to Cape May, NJ
4 Mile Recreational
Paddle from
Cape May Point, NJ
to Cape May, NJ
After Party/Awards: Harry’s Ocean Bar and Grille 2:00-6:00pm
They Will
Surf Again
August 4th
Wildwood, NJ
DeSatnick Foundation is a 501(c)3 Non-profit
www.DeSatnickFoundation.org info@DeSatnickFoundation.org
exit zero 106 july

8886 or visit yogacapemay.com. Classes
are also offered on the lawn of grand old
Congress Hall. The classes start at 8:30am
daily and pre-registration is required. Stop
by the front desk of Congress Hall or call
609-884-8421. For indoors, visit Balance
Pilates, located at 600 Park Boulevard in
West Cape May. Call Judy Heany at 609-
884-3001.
Tennis
The William J. Moore Tennis Club — named
after the first black (as well as the oldest)
tennis pro in America — rents rackets, balls,
and courts. It’s located next to the Emlen
Physick Estate on Washington Street and
there are always a variety of local characters
up for a game, match, or set. The courts are
open to the public daily for just $15 per hour
and a half. Call 609-884-8986.
Horseback Riding
At Hidden Valley Ranch, you can take lessons
in the pastimes of heroes and kings
under the watchful gaze of Nancy, the
toughest, but ultimately most lovable
instructor you could ever hope for. Call
Hidden Valley Ranch at 609-884-8205 for
more information.
Fishing
Cape May is one of the busiest commercial
fishing ports in the US. The sport fishing is
big business, too... AND lots of fun. South
Jersey Marina boasts a top-notch selection
of boats with crews who know these waters
better than anyone. Try the experienced,
knowledgeable team of Stalker Fishing
Charters (609-972-5218) or the Miss Chris
fleet (609-884-3939). For all your bait and
tackle needs, stop by Jim’s Bait and Tackle
on Route 109 by the harbor (609-884-
3900).
Tidal Marsh Tour by Kayak
Explore Cape May County’s most beautiful
and untouched salt marsh via sit-ontop
kayaks. It’s a great way to see nesting
ospreys, herons, egrets, and assorted crabs.
There are two options to choose from:
Aqua Trails at 1600 Delaware Avenue in the
Nature Center (609-884-5600), aquatrails.
com) and Miss Chris Marina (609-884-
3351, misschrismarina.com).
Stand Up Paddleboarding
See the beauty of Cape May from a different
perspective, while giving your core the
workout of its life. Paddle around the island
with friends or family. There are plenty of
places to rent or take a tour. Steger Beach
Service offer rentals, tours and rentals at
Utsch’s Marina — visit stegerbeachservice.
com. Aqua Trails offer tours and rentals at
the Nature Center of Cape May, 1600 Delaware
Avenue — visit aquatrails.com.
Parasail
You don’t need to be a daredevil to let your
body rise 500 feet above the ocean, nor do
you need wings. Parasailing has become a
popular pastime that lets you soar in the air
and see Cape May from a view many people
never have. It may be a view to die for, but
we can assure you that you won’t be risking
anything — the boat captains are Coast
Guard certified and extremely safe. There
are two options to choose from: East Coast
Parasail in Cape May at Utsch’s Marina
(898-8359) and Atlantic Parasail at the
Two Mile Landing restaurant and marina
on Ocean Drive highway (522-1869).
A spectacular harbor setting
CORINTHIAN
YACHT CLUB
of CAPE MAY
for your special event
Our traditional clubhouse,
gorgeous sunset views and
exceptional cuisine lend a
memorable, distinctive touch to
any gathering. Relax around our
firepit before and after!
1819 DELAWARE AVENUE, CAPE MAY
609-884-8000 • cyccm.com / capemaybeachwedding.com
exit zero 107 july

Drink the Cape

The definitive guide to local
wineries, breweries, distilleries
The tasting room at Cape May
Winery on Town Bank Road attracts
a good crowd year-round.

At Cape May Winery, enjoy awardwinning
vintages while sipping on
the deck overlooking the vines. It’s
a win-win!
Local beer, wine and spirits have gone from a boomtown rush to an
established part of the Jersey Cape landscape, and the expansion does
not look over yet. Local beers are on tap in bars throughout town and
throughout the region and cans from Cape May Brewery and 7 Mile
are chilling in the cold sections of local retail outlets. Local wineries
started first and have grown into important tourist attractions as well
as producing award-winning vintages year after year. Here’s our suggestions
for what to sample when you explore the local beverage scene.
But definitely don’t take our word for it — go out and try something you
think you’ll like. — BILL BARLOW
That is on the high end of their line, at
about $40 a bottle. They also offer some
more affordable wines, including their Flying
Press red, which he described as a fun,
pizza or burger wine compared to some of
their more serious efforts. White, red and
rosé Flying Press go for $10 to $15 a bottle.
Third generation Cape locals, Ken and Todd
decided about 20 years ago to plant wine
grapes on land their grandfather had cultivated
in the 1940s. The winery opened about
10 years after that. Along with tours and
tastings, the winery offers numerous special
events, including the Rootstock music series.
Wineries
Cape May Winery and Vineyard
711 Town Bank Road, North Cape May
What to Drink: Sauvignon Blanc
Like arguing over the best guitarist in history
(Jimi Hendrix, of course), choosing a “best”
wine is a pointless but entertaining exercise.
And if you made the wine, it’s all the
more personal. So it’s no surprise that Cape
May Winery owner Toby Craig balked when
asked which of his wines he’d recommend.
He wanted to suggest trying them all, but
then again so did every other winery owner.
He recommended the sauvignon blanc, new
last year and very good, he said. Every year’s
chardonnay is good, he added, mentioned
the Isaac Smith Reserve and the cabernet
sauvignon for the red drinkers.
Hawk Haven Vineyard and Winery
600 South Railroad Avenue, Rio Grande
What to Drink: Cabernet Franc
Hawk Haven’s wines have always done well
in competition, according to Todd Wuerker,
who founded the winery with his brother
Ken. But the winery’s 2012 Cabernet Franc
took a medal as the best in the state.
exit zero 110 july
Willow Creek Winery and Farm
160-168 Stevens Street, West Cape May
What to Drink: Wilde Cock Red
A visit to the Willow Creek tasting room
includes braving a series of rough dirt roads
before the view opens to the vineyards, where
once stood a disused lima bean field, and the
winery and tasting room, a purpose-built
structure with a huge interior space for weddings,
events and concerts.
Owned by Barbara Wilde, who also owns
the Southern Mansion, the winery offers
overnight stays and an extensive menu.
Willow Creek planted the first vines in

2004, and 2010 was the first bottled vintage.
Staff members said they can’t keep up with
demand. The first-taste suggestion: Wilde
Cock Red, a dry red from merlot and petite
shiraz grapes at $26 a bottle.
Turdo Vineyards and Winery
3911 Bayshore Road, North Cape May
What to Drink: Nero D’Avola
Nero D’Avola, the black grape of Avola in
southeast Sicily, is rarely cultivated in the
United States, but called one of the most
important grapes in Sicilian wines. So it
makes sense that Salvatore Turdo, originally
from Sicily, would have some on hand when
he started a winery.
His son Luca Turdo, an owner and one of
the winemakers, said his parents were both
born in Sicily. His mom was from the city,
but Salvatore — usually shorted to Turi there
rather than Sal — grew up in the country,
growing lemons, grapes, olives and wheat,
and always, always making wine.
“He learned from his grandfather in
Sicily, and when he moved to the States in
the early ’70s, he used to make wine in the
garage,” said Luca. He started the winery in
1999 and opened the tasting room in 2002.
Turdo is best known for their Italian
styles, including prizewinning Barbera and
Sangiovese wines. They also make white
wine from another Sicilian grape, Grillo, and
according to Luca, as far as they can tell they
are the only commercial winery growing it
in the US. He suggested the Nero D’Avola as
the best starting point to experience Turdo
wines. They describe the finished wine as
very elegant, showing lots of fruit. Bottle
prices range from $17 to $35.
Natali Vineyards
221 North Delsea Drive, Goshen
What to Drink: Albariño
Alfred Natali had a career on Wall Street
before he bought an old horse farm on Route
47 in the Goshen section of Middle Township
in 2000. He said he spent a year getting
the soil ready for the vines before planting.
He also attended UC Davis in northern California,
one of the top viticulture schools in
the country. He has 22 acres on the site.
If you like white wine, he recommends
his Albariño, a grape that thrives in northwest
Spain and Portugal, or Viognier. For
red, he’s going with their Nebiollo. He says
he’s got 15 kinds of grapes on four different
root stocks, with varietals from throughout
Europe. In the European style of winemaking,
a vineyard or a region typically cultivates
a single type of vinefra, not a dozen, but
Natali points out that in those areas they’ve
had hundreds of years of experience telling
them which grape does best where. In Cape
May, he said, wine makers have had 20. To
make a winery work, he said, a vintner needs
three things from his grapes: they have to
survive the winter, they need to have enough
yield per acre to make it worthwhile, and
ultimately they have to produce a good wine.
Jessie Creek Winery
1 North Delsea Drive, Cape May Court House
What to Drink: Stratus
Every vineyard starts with a story, and Jessie
Creek’s starts with Dr. Bruce Morrison
riding his Harley Road King along the back
roads of Cape May County and onto a vineyard
off Route 47. He was looking to buy a
vineyard, and he said he and former owner
Joe Yuzzi just hit it off from the start. Yuzzi
grew grapes for other wineries in the area,
and there was a house built in the 1800s on
the site. The name is a combination of Yuzzi’s
mother’s name and Dias Creek.
Morrison, a family practice doctor in
Huntington Valley, PA, has long dreamed of
owning a vineyard. A bed and breakfast inn
Award-winning Cape May Brewing
Company has more than 100
flagship, seasonal and small-batch
brews under their umbrella.
exit zero 111 july

opened on the site in 2010, and the winery
opened in 2012. They produce fruit wine,
including apple and blueberry, and whites
and reds in several varieties. “The winery is
definitely moving in the right direction,” said
Morrison. They offer a summer gris, which
he described as light with notes of raspberry,
and their Dias Creek is a best seller.
His recommendation? Their Stratus, half
Chambourcin, French-American hybrid that
seems to thrive on the Cape, and a quarter
each of Merlot and Cabernet. It’s listed at
$25 a bottle.
G&W Winery
1034 Route 47 South, Rio Grande
What to Drink: Merlot
The area’s newest winery is also its smallest.
“We don’t have a nice, big building. You can’t
come in and buy a glass,” said Jerry Hellman,
one of the three partners in the vineyard.
“We are a small farm winery.” He said
the winery is open on weekends, and people
who come by will probably find the owners
working among the vines. They can stop for
a tasting, and buy a bottle, and the winery
has a waiting list for its very limited release
each year, 1,000 bottles all told. They’re $20,
except for a blend, which is $23.
Hellman, Dennis Hasson and Travis
Thomas all work in the Haddonfield school
district. Two are teachers and have time off
in the summer. Hellman is the school psychologist,
and doesn’t, but he said he’s getting
close to retirement and asked to become
part of the business. Hellman said the cabernet
franc seems to thrive on the cape, and
they offer a chardonnay and a pinot.
He suggested trying the merlot. The
vines have been in for six or seven years, and
they’ve been making wine for three.
The winery gets its name from the initials
of Grace and Willow, daughters of Marie and
Dennis Hasson.
Breweries
Cape May Brewing Company
1288 Hornet Road, Cape May Airport
What to Drink: Always Ready
If Cape May Brewing Company’s tasting
room at the Cape May Airport is open, whatever
time of year, there’s almost always a
crowd. There’s a good chance some in that
crowd will be drinking the beloved Coastal
Evacuation IPA, a bright, citrusy beer that
goes down happy and hoppy. And owner
Ryan Krill is proud of the numerous fruit
beers on offer, including the 8 percent Apple
Bomb. But when the days start heating up,
the crew at Cape May Brewing Company
recommends a recent addition to the extensive
lineup, named in honor of the Coast
Guard’s motto. Always Ready is a northeast
pale ale with a relatively low alcohol by
volume, coming in at 4.8 ABV. Head brewer
Brian Hink said it took a few tries to zero in
on the Goldilocks zone, getting feedback on
the first couple batches to get the right balance
of hops, flavor, feel and bitterness.
MudHen Brewing Company
127 W. Rio Grande Ave., Wildwood
What to Drink: Pike Pole Pilsner
Once upon a time, the first train to carry visitors
to Wildwood was called the mud hen.
The West Jersey Railroad ran from Cape
May Court House to Anglesea through the
marsh and over a precarious bridge. Owner
Brendan Sciarra liked the sense of history
and decided to take that name for his latest
venture, MudHen Brewing Company, which
opened its doors this spring to much fanfare.
Unlike the many other breweries on this
list, MudHen is a brew pub — an unusual
designation in New Jersey and unique in
Cape May County. Among other things, that
means MudHen can offer a full menu. The
other breweries can sell their beers on site
but cannot by law have a kitchen. The project
was in the works for about two years,
according to Russ Simmons, the marketing
director. The business is set for crowds this
summer, with three bars, extensive seating
and an outdoor area just for hanging out with
friends around the firepits. The names of the
beers reflect local history. It’s early days, but
the 7.4 percent 1883 IPA has stood out as the
mainstay for the brew pub. Simmons recommended
the Captain Doug Porter, which he
described as a smooth ride. For a little added
history, brewmaster Tony Cunha is a descendant
of Captain Doug Wilson, who sailed out
of Cape May for about 20 years.
Ludlam Island Brewing
9 Stoney Court, Ocean View
What to Drink: Harry’s Coffee Pale Ale
Off the beaten track, in the same well-camexit
zero 112 july
Cold Spring Brewery
7233 Seashore Road, Cold Spring
What to Drink: Cold Spring Red
Cold Spring Brewery started with four beers:
an American wheat, a German wheat, a red
ale and a porter. The brewery and tasting
room is in a renovated 200-or-so-year-old
barn moved from the Palermo section of
Upper Township to the current site on Seashore
Road, a project that started with HCSV
board approval in 2014. The offerings include
a rotating series of limited edition brews,
along with the dark brown Dennisville Inn
Porter and Cold Spring Red, the brewery’s
most popular offering and our recommendation
for your first pint at the brewery.
7 Mile Brewery
3156 Route 9, Rio Grande
What to Drink: 7 Suns Double IPA
On Route 9 in Rio Grande, 7 Mile Brewery is
about the easiest craft brewery in the county
to find, which founders Pete Beyda and Chris
Collette say is not an accident. An off-season
Friday evening saw the place hopping, with
a thirsty and welcoming crowd and at least
one friendly mixed breed dog greeting those
heading to the bar. The owners say their 7
Sons Double IPA is their most popular of the
numerous beers on tap, and it’s easy to see
why. Brewing beer is a kind of alchemy, part
art, part science, part magic, and for 7 Sons,
what might have been a palate-blowing
hops blast comes in with a nice balance and
a great bitter finish. It’s 7.5 percent alcohol,
with a whopping 90 IBU, the International
Bittering Units scale. For comparison, a Bud,
Miller or Coors would come in about a 10.
Slack Tide
1072 Route 83, Clermont
What to Drink: Angry Osprey IPA
Slack Tide brewery was barely open when it
started reeling in the beer awards, including
honors at the Philadelphia Inquirer Brewvitational
and a best of Craft Beer award in
Bend, Oregon last year. On a brewery tour,
a group of friends dug into two loaded tasting
flights, the small glasses a spectrum from
deep black to light amber. Some showed real
love for the Knockdown Black IPA, but it was
the Angry Osprey that emptied first. At 6.8
percent alcohol, its goes down nicely, but the
well-balanced hops call out for seconds. Or
thirds, if you’ve got an Uber.

Nauti Spirits Distillery won a
gold medal for their vodka at
the San Francisco World Spirits
Competition.
ouflaged Ocean View warehouse that was
once home to Tuckahoe Brewing, Ludlam
Island offers several styles, including several
IPAs and a Kolsh, but I suggest you ask
for Harry’s Coffee Pale Ale. Combining their
Foundation Rye Pale Ale and coffee from
Harry and Beans next door, the crew at Ludlam
resisted the usual math of coffee-plusbeer-equals
porter and provided a unique
and delicious surprise. Rye beers seem to
be a growing trend, and their 5.2 percent
version works fine on its own, but the coffee
adds a nice, buzzy foreground.
Bucket Brigade Brewery
205 North Main Street, Cape May
Court House
What to Drink: Pike Pole Pilsner
The Bucket Brigade Brewery on Route 9 in
Cape May Court House has red ales, Belgian
beers, an IPA and black ale, but brewery
President Karl Hughes recommends starting
with the pilsner. “It’s light and easy drinking
and what most people are used to.” He
and Kurt Hughes – his identical twin and
the main brewer – were homebrewers and
firemen who wanted to take things to the
next level, joining with lifelong friend Mark
McPherson to form the brewing company
in 2016. They bought the old H.B Christman
and Sons building and began their extensive
renovations, opening the doors last year.
Distilleries
Nauti Spirits
916 Shunpike Road, Cold Spring
What to Drink: Rum Daiquiri
“I would get a daiquiri,” suggests Brendan
Wheatley, the vice president and head distiller
at Nauti Spirits, just north of the Cape
May canal. He suggested that more people
drinking daiquiris would clearly bring summer
faster. It stands to reason, right? The
drink includes Nauti Spirits rum, fresh lime
juice and sugar. The distillery has been open
just over a year, serving locally made vodka,
gin and rum, with bourbon on the way. That
one needs more time to mature. The distillery
uses locally grown herbs and produce in
its line of cocktails and grows its own sweet
potatoes that becomes the base for their distilled
spirits.
The company took a long-fallow field,
one Wheatley said needed some love, and
grew 27,000 pounds of sweet potatoes last
year. “It’s a little bit of tilting at windmills,
but it’s the right thing to do,” he said, helping
keep sustainable farming in the area. The
exit zero 113 july
locally distilled liquors have been collecting
awards at competitions, including at the San
Francisco World Spirits Competition, and
Wheatley plans to begin a line of liqueurs for
inclusion in their cocktails.
Cape May Distillery
371 Route 47, Cape May Court House
What to Drink: Double Barrel Honey
On a lonely stretch of Route 47, in the far
corner of Middle Township, sits Cape May
Distillery. It’s been open for four years. It
was the first distillery in Cape May County
and the second in the state. It’s meant to
resemble a Victorian speakeasy. Customers
enter through a vestibule that looks like an
old-fashioned phone booth leading to a cozy
bar. On offer are several rums, including
blueberry rums and coconut rum, gin, bourbon
and the Double Barrel Honey, distilled
from the handiwork of local bees. In the glass
and on the tongue, it resembles a whiskey,
with the honey flavor standing quietly in the
background until the after taste. It weighs
in at 80 proof, which is 40 percent alcohol,
and the owners said it mixes well, but sipped
neat, the liquor gets a chance to open up in
the mouth, unveiling each flavor in turn.

If you haven’t seen those cute trolleys rolling
through the streets of Cape May, there are one
of two explanations: You’re not paying attention,
or this is your first time visiting America’s
Original Seaside Resort. In any event, here is a
handy guide that tells you the what, when and
why of trolley tours. For more information, get in
touch with the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts
and Humanities, who run the trolleys, as well as
other fun things. Visit them at capemaymac.org.
The Definitive Trolley Guide
CAPE MAYHEM & VICTORIAN ODDITIES
Where It Goes: Through Cape May’s historic
district.
How Long It Runs: Thirty minutes.
When It Runs: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays
(except July 4) at various times in the evening
with additional tours Friday evenings beginning
July 5.
What It Is: Headless photography? Electric
corsets? Coffin torpedoes? You won’t believe
some of the strange beliefs, oddities, fads and
superstitions of the Victorians. This trolley tour
explores them. Hear stories from Cape May’s
history that are bizarre, unexplained or just
plain weird.
Who It’s For: You’re drawn to the macabre. Philadelphia’s
Mutter Museum — it’s on your fav list.
GHOSTS OF THE LIGHTHOUSE
Where It Goes: Begins and ends at Washington
Street Mall Information Booth, traveling through
parts of West Cape May to the lighthouse.
How Long It Runs: One hour.
When It Runs: Tuesdays and Thursdays at
8:45pm (except July 4, July 16 and August 15).
What It Is: The 1859 Cape May Lighthouse has
a frightfully lonely visage at night — the perfect
setting for the ghostly tales unearthed by psychic
medium and Cape May ghostwriter Craig
McManus. Your guide will share Craig’s findings
as you travel through West Cape May and end
at the lighthouse for a night climb to the top.
Hear about lonely maids who continue to wander
inns, ghostly pirates still desperately digging
for treasure, and more.
Who It’s For: Those who enjoy a tantalizing tale.
Cape May’s Wild side
Where It Goes: Throughout Cape Island to the
area’s natural “hotspots.”
How Long It Lasts: About two hours.
When It Runs: Wednesdays at 8:30am.
What It Is: Beyond the charming Victorian
homes and sandy beaches, Cape May is world
famous for its birdwatching, monarch migration
and natural history. Join Cape May Bird
Observatory naturalists on a trolley tour to local
“hotspots” with exits at several stops along the
way, learning about the diversity, abundance —
millions of birds pass through each year — geography
and extensive history of this amazing natural
spectacle. You’ll learn why Cape May has
been called the birding capital of North America.
Co-sponsored by New Jersey Audubon’s
Cape May Bird Observatory.
Who It’s For: Early birds and those who love
learning about Cape May’s natural wonders.
children’s ride
Where It Goes: Through the streets of Cape
May, departing from Washington Street Mall
Info Booth.
How Long It Lasts: Thirty minutes.
When It Runs: Sundays through Thursdays, late
afternoon (except July 4).
What It Is: Board MAC’s red trolley for a guided
tour of Cape May’s Historic District created
especially for children. Funny, informational,
smart-alecky, just like your kids!
Who It’s For: Kids 3-7, accompanied by a parent
or guardian. Parents or guardians accompanied
by kids aged 3-7. You missed the Historic District
Trolley Tour and you aren’t bothered by squeals
and such.
underground railroad
Where It Goes: Throughout Cape May
How Long It Lasts: About 45 minutes.
When It Runs: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
at 10am.
What It Is: Cape May was part of the Underground
Railroad and this new trolley tour tells
the stories of those dangerous days. Hear how,
fleeing their chains in Maryland, Delaware and
Virginia, African-American slaves braved strong
currents and stormy seas, guided by the beacon
at the Cape May Lighthouse. Hear how legendary
anti-slavery fighter, Harriet Tubman, walked
these streets, as did businessman and former
slave, Stephen Smith, whose railroad cars carexit
zero 114 july
GHOSTS OF CAPE MAY
Where It Goes: Through the streets of Cape
May.
How Long It Runs: Thirty minutes.
When It Runs: Nightly (except July 4).
What It Is: What was that? The undead of Cape
May come back to settle their scores? Just be
grateful you’re in a trolley with an experienced
guide to tell you about the many hauntings discovered
by Cape May author and medium Craig
McManus on this trolley tour through the Historic
District.
Who It’s For: Those who enjoy a good ghost
story.
Mansions by the Sea
Where It Goes: Along Beach Avenue, through
the early 20th century East Cape May development
areas
How Long It Lasts: About 40 minutes.
When It Runs: Daily in early afternoon (except
August 4, 11 and 18).
What It Is: You’ll be green with envy when you
see how the rich lived in the early 20th century.
When $1 million really meant something. Also,
see new, beachfront, second homes, which run
the gamut from the mere wealthy to the fabulously
rich.
Who It’s For: Anyone who’s curious how the
one-quarter of one percent lives.

Explore Amazing Things...
NATURE CENTER
OF CAPE MAY
ADULT, FAMILY AND CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS YEAR-ROUND
Kayaking Trips • Cycling Tours • Family Hikes • Private Garden Tours
Beginner Birding Field Trips • Wildlife-Friendly Gardening Programs.
1600 DELAWARE AVENUE, CAPE MAY
(609) 898-8848 • NJAUDUBON.ORG/CENTERS/NCCM

A healthy pet
has lots
to smile about.
ried hundreds to freedom. Co-sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for
the Arts and Humanities and the Center for Community Arts.
Who It’s For: Anyone and everyone who seeks to understand our nation’s
history.
Historic District
Where It Goes: Through the historic district.
How Long It Lasts: About 45 minutes.
When It Runs: Daily; hours vary.
What It Is: It’s beautiful. It’s charming. Cape May — one of the few places
you can wander through and feel that it’s more than 100 years ago. Tour
guides will explain how and why it survived.
Who It’s For: Anyone and everyone who finds Cape May charming.
Insider Tip: Combine this tour with a guided tour of the Emlen Physick
Estate and save $5.
Robert Panaccio, VMD
Robert Moffatt, VMD
Nancy Reilly, VMD
694 Petticoat Creek Lane • 884-1729 • capemayvet.com
YOGA ON THE BEACH
Flow this Summer
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« Cape May Point State Park
«Convention Hall Beach
«David Douglass Memorial Park
PLUS!
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& Cape May City Pool
Tai Chi @ Convention Hall Beach
Plenty of free parking!
Welcome to Cape May
Where It Goes: Throughout Cape May
How Long It Lasts: About 45 minutes.
When It Runs: Daily — hours vary.
What It Is: The best introduction to Cape May for first-timers. Find the
hidden gems and little-known treasures as well as natural and cultural
points of interest.
Who It’s For: You just arrived to Cape May and can’t wait to see the town.
You’ve been to Cape May before, but it’s been awhile. You’re a local,
but you’ve never taken this delightful tour that celebrates your ever-socharming
hometown.
Moonlight ride
Where It Goes: Along Beach Avenue and through the Historic District.
How Long It Lasts: About 30 minutes.
When It Runs: Tuesday, July 16 and Thursday, August 15 at 8:45pm.
What It Is: Victorians tended to sentimentalize even the most mundane
of things, from teacups to toothbrushes. Take this romantic trolley ride
along the beachfront under the light of the full moon, through the heart of
the Historic District, and you’ll hear tales of Victorian courtship. Snuggle
up and imagine the simmering passions of Victorian couples courting, as
they strolled the promenade.
Who It’s For: Romantics.
Visit yogacapemay.com
for a complete schedule
or call Karen at 609-827-8886
Rain or Shine... there is Shelter
from the Storm with Ocean Views
Psychic medium Craig McManus inspired the Ghosts of Cape May tour
exit zero 116 july

Cherishing Life’s Moments
Serving Cape May & Lower Township
609-884-3793
spilkerfuneralhome.com
DENNIS J. SPILKER Manager/Funeral Director NJ # 4038 • KEVIN J. BEARE Funeral Director NJ # 3806
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609-486-5025 | 2033 US 9 NORTH, CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE, NJ 08210
exit zero 117 july

Property

Creating A New Rhythm
Lu Rexhepi, Amy Kao and their baby boy Oliver at Rhythm of the Sea, the beachfront inn they took over this past winter.
INTERVIEW JACK WRIGHT
PHOTOS ALEKSEY MORYAKOV
We caught up with the new owners
of Rhythm of the Sea, an Arts and
Crafts bed-and-breakfast inn on the
beachfront. Amy Kao and Lu Rexhepi
formerly worked at SeaSalt, the
restaurant in Ocean Club Hotel, as
general manager and executive chef.
Amy, when did you and Lu first register
an interest in Rhythm of the Sea?
Last spring, around the same time when
we found out we were expecting, and
when the opportunity of working together
with an investor arose. Our friend Mara
Lamanna, who’s worked with us for years,
actually brought it to our attention. She
grew up here and has always been secretly
in love with the place, coincidentally, and
she noticed it for sale in the paper. Lots
of new possibilities occurred at once, it
seemed. She now helps oversee the inn,
and is working with us to develop our
other projects.
What was it that attracted you to it?
The inn sits directly across from the ocean,
and the views are incredible. The unique
architecture, the historical details and the
Arts and Crafts aesthetic all spoke to me.
The building has this timeless feel to it. I
also just loved the name, Rhythm of the
Sea. Ultimately, it offered the possibilities
exit zero 120 july
of a beautiful space in a prime location
that would allow us to do what we love
to do, which is entertain people in a great
atmosphere.
Before that, had you ever considered
going into the accommodations
business? Yes. We’ve both been working
in hospitality for years, but on the food
and beverage end, so it’s a natural progression.
We went to Roatán, Honduras,
to learn to scuba dive, and we stayed at
a guest house situated on a small farm
overlooking the ocean. It seemed unreal,
and yet this was someone’s way of life.
The trip inspired us to dream of opening
a little bed and breakfast/dive shop somewhere
abroad. So it just happened a little

402 Lincoln Avenue
Cape May Point Historic Home circa 1876
The Dr. Isaac S. Fogg Cottage
Presented by CHRISTINA P. CLEMANS
BROKER/OWNER
chris@chrisclemanssir.com
Featured
Sale Listing
326 Portsmouth Road
Tranquility
Listed by CHARITY R. CLARK
BROKER SALESPERSON GRI, ABR
609.408.2192 - charitycapemay@gmail.com
Advice. Experience. Results.
Christina P. Clemans Licensed Real Estate Broker
1159 Washington Street Cape May, NJ 08204 609-884-3332 www.chrisclemanssir.com
exit zero 121 july

Chef Lu in the kitchen at Rhythm of the Sea, where he’s working on innovative Chef’s Dinners for guests of the inn.
closer to home, minus the diving aspect.
Although we haven’t been able to lately,
we love to travel, so we especially enjoy
having a hand in making someone’s travel
experience a memorable one.
Before this, you were general manager
at SeaSalt restaurant here in Cape
May. How long were you working there?
Seven years. Time flies!
What brought you to Cape May Joining
my husband. Plus the ability to work on
a seasonal basis in order to visit family on
the West Coast and travel in the off season.
Also, the beach location was a welcome
departure from the city.
Where were you brought up? Portland,
Oregon.
Did you meet Lu at SeaSalt. Was it his
cooking that won your heart? We actually
met in Manhattan at the 60 Thompson
Hotel in Soho, where he became the chef
at Kittichai. I was the bar manager at A60
and Thom Bar, and then also the restaurant
manager of Kittichai. His cooking and
knowledge of food from different cultures
was impressive, because he’s had the
opportunity to travel and learn to cook in
various countries. But I’d say it was really
his ability to always make things happen
— his commitment to maintain all that he
was doing at that time. That building was
a beast — he had breakfast, lunch, dinner,
a lounge, a rooftop bar, weekend brunch,
and 24-hour room service all coming out
of a cramped basement kitchen in an old
New York building that flooded constantly
and had no storage or service elevator.
Basically, the kitchen never closed for one
minute. He is the guy to make all of that
happen.
What was Lu’s path to Cape May?
He was asked to come help open SeaSalt
restaurant as the executive chef and managing
partner.
What changes are you making to
Rhythm of the Sea? We’re excited to put
our own stamp on the place and get creative
with all that could be possible within
the space. We’re looking forward to building
upon the dining aspect. Lu’s vision
exit zero 122 july
of offering Chef’s Dinners for our guests
will be happening very soon. But the previous
owners of 21 years, Robyn and the
late Wolfgang Wendt, created quite a legacy.
They had guests who’d been staying
with them for as long as 10 to 20 years,
and we’ve been fortunate enough to have
many of these same guests join us since
we’ve taken over. I mean, there are diehard
Rhythm of the Sea fans out there —
it’s amazing. Very often I get a phone call,
email or a visit from a former guest inquiring
about Robyn or sharing a funny story
of their experiences at the inn. Some have
stayed in every single room, know the ins
and outs of the building and have jokingly
offered to show me around or help serve
breakfast if I ever need an extra hand.
That speaks a lot to how comfortable and
welcomed their guests felt, and we intend
to keep that feeling going as we move forward.
Tell us about what Lu is bringing to
the table — literally. He wants to continue
with staying simple, seasonal and fresh,

exit zero 123 july

Amy Kao with innkeeper Mara Lamanna, who had been a longtime fan of Rhythm of the Sea and inspired Amy and Lu to make their move.
of course. Yesterday he did breakfast
tacos. Today, waffles with white peaches
and cream. Lots of fresh veggie scrambles
incorporating fresh herbs from our garden.
He makes delicious homemade granola,
brioche French toast, and the best breakfast
potatoes, hands down. Breakfasts at
Rhythm of the Sea have been a highlight of
our guests’ experience so far. With the the
Chef’s Dinners, the ingredients and flavors
will get more innovative for sure.
You’ve also recently taken over Zoe’s
Cape Café. How did that come about?
Our neighbor plays golf with the owner
and mentioned it in passing. Being able to
do something casual and low key was very
appealing.
Any changes you are making there?
Lu will be keeping all of the popular Zoe’s
staples and also lighten things up a bit to
balance it out. Definitely a larger variety of
salads and a ceviche for the summertime.
Next door to Zoe’s is an annex space, and
we will be opening an Asian eatery called
Foo Bao, which loosely translates as “lucky
bun.” They are basically Asian sliders —
open-faced, steamed buns with a variety
of savory fillings.
That sounds amazing. I love the
steamed buns! Lu has a background in
Asian food, and Asian street food is a
concept he’s wanted to do for quite some
time. We hope it’s a welcome addition to
the Cape May food culture.
And to top it all off, you guys just had
a baby. Tell us how that’s going? Yes! My
son Oliver was born over the winter, so
it’s been quite an adventure getting multiple
things off the ground with a newborn
to boot. We are lucky to have the help
of both of our mothers. Everyone keeps
reminding me how quickly they grow up
and to savor all of the precious moments,
so I’m trying really hard to take a step back
and do that. He’s literally changing by the
second!
Between all this, how are you planning
on sleeping? No plans to sleep anytime
soon.
What’s you and Lu’s idea of a perfect
day in Cape May? At this point in time,
sleeping!
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Operating a beachfront inn is a dream
come true for Amy and husband Lu.

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Property of the Month 921 Kearney Avenue, Cape May
This 3-story modern Victorian reflects is turnkey ready. Located just two
short blocks to the Atlantic Ocean and six easy-to-stroll blocks to the
Washington Street Mall, this property is elegantly appointed throughout.
Offers an eat-in center island kitchen with Viking stove, Bosch
dishwasher, stainless steel appliances and loads of granite countertop
space in a cook’s dream kitchen.
Built-in bookcase in living room provides for hours of joyful reading.
This 5 bedroom, 4 full bath home has 2 master bedroom en-suites with
private bathrooms, sitting areas and multiple walk-in closets. There is a
full bathroom with walk-in shower on the first floor, a full bath with tub/
shower on the second floor hall and an outdoor shower for use after
a restful day at the beach. A breeze-filled front porch, two screened-in
back porches and a hot tub provide for hours of relaxation. The spacious
dining room accommodates 14 with bar-stool seating.
The exterior is professionally landscaped with brick pavers on patio,
driveway and walkway. A natural gas Weber grill and patio dining set
provide for enjoyable outdoor entertaining. Convenient living features
include in-ground sprinklers, professional outdoor lighting and smart
home controls. Property is offered as turnkey ready with furnishings,
fully equipped kitchen, flat-screen TVs throughout and a fabulous yearround
vacation home rental history. Recent updates include new Azek
composite front porch and exterior stairways, newly repainted interior
and new carpeting.
Items excluded in the sale — grandfather clock in entryway, antique
empire secretary desk with bookcase in office, floor lamp in office, small
dresser with mirror and bench seat in 2nd floor bedroom on right, floor
lamp with mosaic glass in 2nd floor bedroom at end of hall.
Listed at $1,678,000.
For more information, contact Bill Bezaire of Coldwell Banker Sol Needles on 609-827-3513
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Sol Needles Real Estate
Serving the Cape May area for 118 years
for all of your Sales & Rental needs!
« over 350 vacation rentals
« open 7 days a week
credit card & online payments accepted
Please visit our website at CBcapemay.com
for more details and all of our listings!
512 Washington Street Mall, Cape May - 609-884-8428
lynn gleeson/william bezaire, owners

picture of the month By Charles Riter
Our Lady Star of the Sea church on the Washington Street Mall.
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just health insurance
Plans for independent contractors, families, individuals & groups
AT COMPETITIVE RATES
unparalleled industry expertise & uncommonly personalized service
610-222-9400
millennium-tpa.com

WOOD-FIRED BRICK OVEN PIZZA
Start your night underground at the Boiler Room, where locals
dine on made-to-order pizza, cold beers, and more, featuring
fresh ingredients from our very own Beach Plum Farm.
BEER & COCKTAILS • LIVE ENTERTAINMENT • 12 HDTVS FEATURING SPORTS
BOILERROOMCAPEMAY.COM
LUNCH, DINNER, LATE-NIGHT MENUS AND TAKEOUT | 609.884.6507 | 200 CONGRESS PLACE