Merryman’s Pub – Pitman’s first pub – located in the heart of downtown has a rich history dating back to the town’s First National Bank which was built in 1911.
It was in 2020 Bill Merryman and his partner Vito Mannino had a vision and believed that the bank building, which had been closed for more than 20 years at the time, could undergo extensive renovation and permitting and become a thriving business.
It did take a major investment, of money, time, and labor. And with a great deal of foresight as well as support/approval from Pitman’s former mayor, Russ Johnson, former clerk, Judy O’Donnell, and Pitman’s town council, Merryman and Mannino and their team “turned one of the most beautiful buildings in Gloucester County into a warm, welcoming, and cozy pub.”
The innovative plan was to use Merryman’s 40 years of business experience and Mannino’s 35 years of restaurant and building expertise to open the doors of Merryman’s Pub in March 2020. Well, we all know that wasn’t the most perfect timing because of the COVID-19 pandemic!
After saving the beautiful building from demolition, and keeping the original look and historical integrity, Merryman’s Pub opened for inside seating in the fall of 2020. This was the first liquor license in a town that was historically dry. The process was extremely stressful and faced many challenges, but in the end, they proudly persevered.
“We are a lot like Cheers, the popular TV show about an inviting bar where everybody knows your name and they’re always glad you came,” Merryman said. “Our staff and our guests are all like family.
“Everyone told me that we were a bit crazy to embark on this journey,” he explained, “but I’ve always been a bit of a dreamer, and I also surround myself with extremely smart people who know their business.”
Along with the Broadway Theatre, the pub has been a major part of making the downtown a sought-after destination. With its small-town charm it is close to Rowan University, Philadelphia, and Wilmington, Delaware – making it a prime locale.
The popular watering hole and restaurant has helped to revitalize downtown Pitman with its creative American-European cuisine has been hosting a wide variety of special events from the beginning.
Mannino, whose favorite menu items include the short rib French onion soup, burgers, and the chicken pickle sandwich, explained that every item on the menu, except for the ice cream, is made from scratch.
Looking back more than four year, Mannino said that he is proud that Merryman and he were able to finish their project and overcame money, resources, red tape and elbow grease.
“It was the hardest thing that I’ve ever done, but we were able to complete the building and keep the structure intact,” he said. “Guests who come here say they have never seen anything like this structure before.”
Merryman’s personal history with Pitman goes way back. His paternal grandparents came to Pitman in the 1920s for the summer months to The Grove; a Methodist community, which consisted of a group of small houses where they lived and worshipped and spent bonding time as a family.
“I believed that the town could grow, so I bought a flower shop 19 years ago, and things snowballed from there,” he said. “Vito and I now have four buildings in town. I believed in the town and the people of Pitman, and I prayed that it would work.”
And work, it has!
“My message is that Pitman is small-town America; a place where people want to live, work, and enjoy with their families and friends,” Merryman added. “Over the years the town has become more vibrant with homes selling before they hit the market.”
Guests are frequently found having their photos taken outside the historic building and say that they appreciate that the history from 115 years ago remains. The once-quiet small town of Pitman is now bustling and the pub is surrounded by thriving businesses such as the successful Broadway Theater run by Pete Slack, clothing boutiques, restaurants, realtors, insurance agencies, ice cream shops, hair salons, and more – all in a walkable downtown destination.
“The key to a successful business is to have a hard-working and dedicated staff, which includes the pub’s managers, waiters, cooks, kitchen staff, waitresses, and bartenders,” Merryman explained. “I am proud to say that most of our staff has been with us from the beginning. I believe that service is everything and that our guests love our staff.
One example is George Del Duca, the pub’s attentive bar manager, who in February 2024 officiated over the marriage of a couple of regulars. The couple came in and was joking around with Del Duca.
“I told them they should let me know when they got engaged and that I could marry them,” he recalled. “I got ordained because my niece wanted me to preside over her wedding. When they were ready, they asked me and I was happy to do it. We did a unity shot – red and blue that became purple. They still come into the pub.”
Del Duca said a favorite cocktail he makes and serves is the white peach hibiscus Margarita, made with fresh peach syrup, Tequila, triple sec, and limes.
“We are a close-knit group of servers, who know one another from other jobs,” he said. “So, everybody has been together for a while, one way or another.”
Pub General Manager Peggy Grossmick said she loves that the beautiful building has “so much character. There is really nothing like it. When people walk in, their first reaction is to say,‘Wow!’”
Grossmick, whose favorite menu items are the buffalo chicken cheesesteak and the roasted red pepper bruschetta, appreciates all of the repeat guests.
“Our customers are loyal because we are involved in the community,” she said. “We are constantly out there. We always treat them like friends away from home. We are here to make our guests happy.”
The regulars, tourists, and other guests who frequent the pub are always eager to try out the myriad of menu items, including favorites such as juicy burgers, Guinness short rib pot pie, chicken cutlet, pulled pork, crispy fish ‘n’ chips, tacos, nachos, signature sandwiches, wings with a choice of six sauces, brick oven flatbreads, and other scrumptious pub food.
The pub also offers an array of signature cocktails, including a variety of mules made with top-shelf spirits, drafts, local brews, holiday cocktails, and much more. Whether someone is looking for a casual drink with friends or a place to have lunch or dinner, Merryman’s Pub quickly became the perfect choice.
“There is truly something for everyone,” Merryman said. “It’s one of those places where you walk in and before you know it a few hours have passed.
“Sometimes friends and family members will order a big German Bavarian pretzel and a beer or a basket of wings and enjoy watching the Phillies or Eagles together. We were packed for the most recent St. Patrick’s Day Race and other special town events.”
Merryman’s Pub is a true family business, and Merryman says that he credits his wife Cathy and daughters, Abby and Gabby, with bringing their creativity to the social media posts and special events such as karaoke and trivia nights. Abby handles all the marketing and In-House events for the organization.
Among these many well-attended special events are dinner with The Grinch, dinner with Santa, graduations, family gatherings, birthday and anniversary parties, class reunions, charitable events, and a variety of local festivals that the community looks forward to. These include Fourth Fridays, local parades, community events sponsored by Uptown Pitman, and craft fairs that bring some 5,000 to 10,000 visitors at a time to the downtown.
“Any business you are involved with has its challenges, but downtown Pitman is becoming a destination, in which everyone wants to spend time here,” Merryman said. “This certainly doesn’t happen overnight. I felt that if you build it, they will come, and it is happening. It is all about serving the local community.
“Nearly six years ago, we embarked on this adventure and started building Merryman’s Pub because we wanted to give back to the town, and next year we will be celebrating our fifth anniversary of being open,” he said.
“When I walk into the pub and see so many people smiling, laughing, and having a drink or a meal and a good time, I know it was all worth it.
“We look forward to a big fifth anniversary celebration. In the meantime, eat, drink, and be merry!”
Merryman’s Pub is located at 106 S. Broadway Pitman.
Hours: Sunday to Wednesday 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Thursday to Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
