A Henny's Tradition

    Generation founders of Henny's were John and Louise Blum, who moved from Gloucester, New Jersey to Stone Harbor in 1931 and leased a restaurant.  They called it the "Tent" at 96th Street.  In 1935, they moved the restaurant to its current 97th and Third Avenue location.  John was an excellent chef whose recipes for clam chowder and snapper soup were wanted by a major soup manufacturer.  His deviled crab and deviled clam recipes are still used today.

After her husband's death, Louise took over the reins of the "Old Heidelburg" and in 1941, the name was changed to "Mom's Place."  She tended the bar until she was in her seventies.  Her son, Henry Sr., who was the second generation, worked for the Pennsylvanian Railroad.  He would take the summers off, and with his wife, Tillie, run the business for his mother.  Henry Sr. and his family moved from Camden to Stone Harbor permanently in 1948. 

In the late 1940s/early 50s, the third generation, Henny Jr. and Norman, came to work for their father.  In 1951, renovations were made to Henny's.  Two new decors were introduced in the dining room and a new bar was built.  The exterior of the restaurant was also refaced.

Henny Jr. and Norman assumed ownership and took over the business in 1963.  In 1964, the property next to the restaurant was purchased from Bill Diller, Sr., and a major renovation took place.  The dining room was enlarged and the Ship's Wheel Lounge was opened.  George Johnson appeared at the keyboard, entertaining customers for 23 years. 

Many of Henny's key personnel contributed to the success of the restaurant.  Bob Sullivan was chef for 30 years, just retiring in 1998.  Bartender Tom Jones spent 29 years behind the bar serving drinks.  Paul Gilligan has been serving Henny's customers at the bar since 1979.  People behind the scenes, such as Arlene McMonigle and Dot Doran worked in the kitchen for over 35 years.

In the late 70s, Steve and Gary came to work for their fathers.  In May 1993, the changing of the guards took place.  Henny Jr. and Norman stepped down and their sons, Gary and Steve, the fourth generation, became the new owners of the restaurant.  Under their management, Henny's underwent renovations to brighten up and enlarge the dining room in 2003.  Presently, Henny's is in the process of constructing a Seafood Take-Out, which is scheduled to open June 10th, 2005.

From John and Louise Blum in the 1930s, to Gary and Steve Blum in the present, Henny's has been a Stone Harbor favorite for over 70 years.  People come back year after year to experience the warm atmophere and the wonderful food at Henny's.  This is why Henny's will always be a "Stone Harbor Traditions."

Come Visit Paul Gilligan in the Ship's Wheel Lounge.