Brookhaven landmark may soon change ownership
Would-be owners vow to preserve name, traditions of Tom Jones Restaurant
BROOKHAVEN >> For the past few weeks, the talk of the town has been the rumored sale of the Tom Jones Restaurant on Edgmont Avenue.
A landmark in the borough, throughout its more than 45 year existence, Tom Jones has been the go-to gathering place for locals following proms, funerals, movies, church services, and many other activities.
According to Antonia Giannopoulos, owner of the popular Antonia’s Restaurant in Swarthmore, she and her sister, Elini Giannopoulos, have started the process of purchasing the Brookhaven landmark.
“Nothing is finalized and there has been a tremendous amount of misinformation on the Internet, so I am happy to get some of this cleared up,” said Antonia. “The rumors have been somewhat overwhelming.”
Antonia said if the sale goes through — and it’s about 90 percent complete — the restaurant will definitely keep the name Tom Jones. In addition, the popular Blue Ribbon specials will still be on the menu.
And Antonia’s in Swarthmore is staying in business.
“There have been so many people calling me to ask if Antonia’s is closing, and we are absolutely not closing,” Antonia said. “Our restaurant has been in our family for generations. As far as Tom Jones goes, like many people, I have been going there since I was a child. I always said if the place became available, I wanted to buy it. There are still a few things that need to be done, like appraisals and environmental studies, but we are very excited. I want nothing more than to continue the Tom Jones legacy.”
Locals have been visiting Tom Jones since its opening in 1970 and have been enjoying sandwiches like the “Tombo and “Jobo,” as well as making great memories of eating ice cream sundaes dedicated to area high schools.
Upper Chichester resident Marie Dewees said she and her friends spent nearly every Friday and Saturday night at the restaurant and is happy to see it will remain in the community.
“We went there every single weekend,” Dewees said. “I loved their toasted cinnamon buns. I remember how upset we all were when Tom Jones caught on fire. It was like losing an old friend. When the restaurant was rebuilt, the configuration was different, but it was like it came back to life, and so did our childhood.”
The restaurant suffered a devastating fire on Sept. 24, 1976, and as Dewees said, to many it was like losing an old friend. Prior to the blaze, the cooking area was at the front of the restaurant, but was moved to the side during reconstruction.
Margie Culbert Kwapisz, in the mid 1970s, also spent many am evening at Tom Jones with her close friends from Notre Dame High School. Her good friend Jack Koury, a student at St. James at the time, was a cook and, before the fire, he could be seen in the front window flipping burgers and steaks.
“Jack and I stood on Edgmont Avenue and watched the fire,” Kwapisz said. “We were devastated, but so happy when the owners decided to rebuild. Tom Jones was a big part of our growing up. We were there all the time. It was well before cell phones and social media and there was really no planning involved. We just showed up there at 9:30 or 10 p.m. We knew everybody would be there.”
Kwapisz said she has lasting memories of turkey clubs and butter brickle ice cream, but it is the camaraderie that is most special.
“We went there after ever single prom,” she said. “The funny part is that even if we went to dinner with our families to a fancy restaurant, we always wound up at Tom Jones later in the evening. We all loved it there.”
Brookhaven officials are very pleased that the landmark restaurant will remain open and keep its name.
“As not only the mayor but as a 38 year resident, I am so grateful for the role the Tom Jones Restaurant has played in our community and for its past support,” Brookhaven Mayor Mike Hess said. “We look forward to working with the new owners and are very pleased that the great legacy with continue. We certainly welcome them to our community of unity.”