Owners of Deal Lake Bar + Co. plan completely new experience
May opening planned for high-profile lakefront spot just outside of Asbury Park
A fresh start is on tap at the Deal Lake Bar + Co where owners Greg Bartz, Andrea Pappas and Phil Villapiano (shown left to right) plan a May opening now that the Village of Loch Arbour has granted preliminary site plan approval for their reconstruction.
The building — a restaurant and bar for decades overlooking Deal Lake — has been completely gutted, right down to the studs. The new owners say that they will be creating a new experience for customers as they rebuild with 14 foots ceilings with exposed rafters, a new open floor plan and an improved reconstructed outside bar. A completely new kitchen will also be constructed and installed.
“We mean it. It’s all new,” said Villapiano.
The Loch Arbour Planning Board gave preliminary site plan approval for the project on Dec. 17. The formalization with final site plan approval is scheduled for Jan. 15.
The site last housed McGuillicuddy’s Lakeside Tap House and restaurant.
The three owners will now simultaneously oversee the reconstruction of the building while they develop the menu which Villapiano describes as an “American style menu and a little fresher, with more made in house.”
Villapiano said the offerings will be “priced moderately.”
“We want everyone to have a good quality meal. We’re not trying to overdo the pricing. We want you to be able to bring your family, or sit through a football game,” he said.
As for the layout, there will no longer be a division between the bar and the dining room, as the space is meant to be more open, friendly and comfortable.
“The overall feel and layout are something I think people are going to really enjoy,” Villapiano said. “It’s going to be very open and flowing.”
The three owners — all in their late 30s — have left their jobs in the private sector to devote themselves full-time to their new business. Villapiano’s background has been in facilities management and operations. Pappas has extensive experience in employee recruitment in the food and beverage industry. And Bartz has worked in sales and marketing for marketing and distribution companies.
The entrance to the building will be shifted to the north side as you drive in from Main Street. Deal Lake Bar + Co will be open seven days a week for lunch, dinner and late night for the bar.
The proximity of the location on Deal Lake just outside Asbury Park was also a big draw for the owners. “You can’t get any closer (to Asbury),” Villapiano said. “We’re right there but with other benefits like parking with our 81 spaces.”
“We want to create a new experience for our customers and the community,” added Pappas.
—————————————————————————–
Follow the Asbury Park Sun on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The Asbury Park Sun is affiliated with the triCityNews newspaper.
