Barnaby’s Havertown reopens after closure
HAVERFORD » Sunday, Sept. 3, was a happy day for friends, family and patrons of Barnaby’s of America in Havertown. The popular local establishment reopened its doors to a large crowd after a closure of 14 weeks following a fire May 7 that destroyed the outside deck of the restaurant and caused serious damage to the building. Sunday’s celebration was the restaurant’s soft opening. Barnaby’s unlocked the doors on the following afternoon for the general public at 2 p.m. Labor Day and will now remain open during its usual hours, 11 a.m.-2 a.m., seven days a week.
The reconstructed Barnaby’s has all new floors, walls, ceilings, kitchen, booths and furniture, as well as three bars, three areas for private parties and a huge deck. The footprint size remains the same, but the interior is more efficient and now modernized, with new décor, new HAVAC and updated LED lighting. The front entry is redesigned and extra seating was added. More than 250 seats are now available on the main floor and deck. Downstairs, the private party rooms can fit about another 250 people comfortably.
“We couldn’t be more excited to be back open and show our new and improved restaurant to our loyal customers,” said Dan Hurst, general manager and executive chef at Barnaby’s Havertown. “The entire project took us 14 weeks from start to finish. We all worked tirelessly and we’re thrilled to be up and running in time for football season. The staff is happy to be back home and our customers keep telling us that they genuinely missed the place.”
Barnaby’s owner Bill Daley said the unwavering support of the entire staff, the customers and the community since the fire has been overwhelming and an experience that no one at Barnaby’s “will ever forget.”
“The story of what happened here is incredible,” Daley said. “We are like a family at Barnaby’s and nothing proved that more than the last few months.”
Barnaby’s story began on May 7 when five Haverford fire companies, as well as companies from Springfield, Marple and Narberth, responded to a two-alarm fire at the Havertown restaurant that was engulfed in flames at 5:30 a.m. The crews were able to get the blaze under control, but not before the flames and smoke heavily damaged the restaurant.
The deck, where the fire originated, was demolished and the interior of the restaurant sustained heavy smoke and water damage, with about 18 inches of water from sprinklers in the basement and about 2 to 3 inches on the first floor. To add insult to injury, the fire occurred only two weeks after Daley had completed renovations to about 90 percent of the restaurant.
Luckily, no one was at the restaurant when the fire broke out. After investigation, the fire was ruled accidental, and the cause was determined to be a lit cigar that had smoldered and caught fire after the last employees left shortly after 2 a.m.
“Needless to say, we now have a ‘No Cigars Allowed’ policy here,” Hurst said this week.
As news about the inferno spread, Daley and Hurst said that the parking lot began filling with employees and patrons of the restaurant. Barnaby’s Havertown has about 85 employees.
“Many were crying,” Daley remembered. “It was an emotional and devastating day for all of us.”
Daley vowed that morning that they would rebuild and said that he hoped to be up and running by summer’s end. He immediately got the ball rolling and hired McGonigle and Company Building Contractors in Media to get started for the major project which lasted 118 days.
“I can’t say enough about Matt McGonigle and his crew or my own staff who pitched in and got this job done and done right,” Daley said.
He credited Hurst for designing and leading much of the project and said that the general manager/head chef served as project manager.
“Dan led by example, working almost around the clock to get things done,” Daley stated. “We had a
successful formula for 20 years here. We wanted to tweak it and make improvements, but we didn’t want to change the key elements that our customers liked here. Thanks to a team effort, we still have the ambience of the former building, but with some much-appreciated updates.”
“Like this new sound system to go with our 52 brand new TVs,” Daley continued, “It makes you feel like you’re in a stadium. This is definitely the place to be for Eagles games, and all other sports for that matter!”
Daley who also owns Barnaby’s of America in Ridley Township, Aston and West Chester, was able to give the Havertown location’s employees, who would have been temporarily out of work during the construction period, jobs at the other restaurants. His friends and peers, who own restaurants and taverns, also absorbed some of the workers, giving them temporary employment until Barnaby’s reopened again. Daley says that he felt good to know that everyone still earned a paycheck during reconstruction.
“We’re all the same when it comes to our livelihood,” Daley said. “I knew how important it was for our employees to have work until we reopened. Most of my employees have been faithful and dedicated for 10, 15, or 20 years here. I knew I had to do something for them and that this was not the time to let anyone down.
“Local bar and restaurant owners have been unbelievable in their support since this happened,” Daley, who has been in the restaurant/tavern business for 47 years, said. “Immediately after the fire, I began receiving text messages, emails and phone calls, asking me what they could do to help me out. I have been overwhelmed and really touched by the caring and supportive actions of so many.”
Daley said most of his employees have been there for a 10-15 year average, and many put hard hats on and worked during renovations.
“We have a very low turnover rate here,” Daley commented. “The majority of the staff here began at Barnaby’s as their very first job and they stayed.”
Patrons have been giving the new place a 100 percent approval rating.
“Everything is very tastefully done,” commented Arij Faruqi of Springfield, who comes to Barnaby’s about three times per week and almost every Sunday during football season. “This is like Barnaby’s 2.0. It feels like the same place, but it is much, much better.”
Kevin Waldron of Radnor, perched next to Faruqi on a bar stool, was quick to agree. “Everyone did a wonderful job on these renovations,” Waldron, who stops in about three times a week said. “It was amazing how quickly they got all this work done.”
Mike Fee of Richboro, a four-times-per-week patron, agreed.
“I like the new clean smell here,” Fee said. “I was really impressed with the speedy Humpty Dumpty time that it took them to put this all back together again. I was also very impressed with how they took care of their staff during the rebuilding. That’s a testimony to how it is here and how staff truly is treated like family. Bill was sensitive to the distress felt by employees and he took care of everyone while he rebuilt. You don’t often hear of people doing something like that anymore.”
Ron Garofalo of Havertown said he has been a regular patron of Barnaby’s “forever.” He attended the soft opening Sunday and will begin stopping in two or three times a week, just like he had always done before the fire and the four-month closure. He complimented the new improved look and happily offered reasons why Barnaby’s is his hang-out of choice.
“The food is consistently good, they have great beer specials and it’s just fun to sit out on the deck or to meet friends here,” he explained with a smile. “It’s a terrific place to watch games and it’s a go-to Delco spot where they always have some Delco Lager on tap. Who wouldn’t want to be here at one of the best bars in Delco? I am happy to be back!”
Daley and Hurst said that all of the features of the restaurant and bar that were in place before the fire will remain the same now that the establishment has reopened for business. The restaurant will continue to offer 30 craft beers on tap, a full line of freshly-made cocktails and homemade food, including popular in-demand signature menu items like ribs, crab cakes, burgers, tacos and cheesesteak egg rolls.
“Our staff is highly trained, professional and friendly and we offer quality food,” Hurst reiterated.
Jim Dougherty of Newtown Square was at the soft opening on Sunday and back for lunch on Thursday. He’s been a regular customer for years, saying he grew up in Upper Darby with Daley. Dougherty said the renovated place looks great, but the major reason that he returns again and again is to watch all types of sports and because the food is excellent.
“I come a few times a week because the food is really good here,” he said as he enjoyed a crock of soup for lunch. “I’m so happy Barnaby’s is back.”
Daley, who’s a lifelong county resident, said, “I just love Delaware County and its residents so much. I appreciate how much they missed us and I will do everything in my power to please our patrons as much as we have in the past. This overwhelming community support is what got me through every day of the past four months. We are just so happy to be open again and serving the customers who are so important to us.”
For more information on Barnaby’s, 1901 Old West Chester Pike , Havertown , or to book a banquet or private party, call 610-789 1885 or visit www.barnabysofamerica. com.