Stove and Co, Four New Restaurants, Philadelphia Suburbs

One year ago restaurateurs Justin Weather and Joe Monnich were devastated as they shuttered the doors to their four restaurants as the pandemic took hold in the Philadelphia suburbs. Now, one year upon the anniversary of the first shut-down, Stove and Co. Restaurant Group looks to jump start the suburban restaurant business and nearly double their footprint in Pennsylvania's Montgomery, Delaware and Chester Counties. Stove and Co. Restaurant Group is proud to grand open their newest project Stove and Tap West Chester, their third concept for the brand and their first outing in the restaurant-rich West Chester. Hot on the heels of the doors in West Chester opening, Stove and Co. is proud to announce their first restaurant and a brand new concept Revival Pizza Pub coming to Chester Springs later this spring or early summer. Just days later, the duo are again lighting up the region's culinary scene with a new concept and a big name restaurant veteran who will partner with them on DePaul's Table: Modern Italian Steakhouse. Later this spring, the duo will announce another new concept and their second restaurant and bar set to open in West Chester later this summer. The new concepts and restaurants will join the existing restaurants that are currently open with Stove and Tap Malvern, Stove and Tap Lansdale (flagship) and Al Pastor.

The duo are also currently starting to explore options for expanding Al Pastor with new locations, as they did with their Stove and Tap brand. As the vaccine makes major progress and Pennsylvania aims towards reopening the bars and 75% dining capacity, it is full steam ahead with four projects that will take dining in the suburbs in Pennsylvania to new levels with these two industry vets leading the charge.

STOVE AND CO. RESTAURANT GROUP

Stove and Co. Restaurant Group was formed earlier in 2019, and houses Stove and Tap, Al Pastor and The Bercy. Weathers said, "We started a group as we want to be the cornerstone restaurant of the communities that we move in to. It is so important for us to provide a place for memories to be made while enjoying soulful food and great drinks. We formalized the group earlier in the year as we start to expand, but also as we want to make sure our values and style are consistent over whatever we create."

Back in late 2019, in the final days of the year, Justin Weathers and Joe Monnich celebrated the grand opening of Stove and Tap Malvern. The duo didn't even get three months off the ground in the cold of winter for their new market. The pandemic hit the Philadelphia suburbs first before the city, and the impact was nearly devastating. Montgomery and Delaware Counties for a time were ground zero in the region, and restaurants were locked down tight. Diners didn't leave their homes. Jobs were lost. The duo had four operating restaurants, with a fifth under partial construction. By April of 2020, Stove and Tap West Chester was nearly 70% complete - but pandemic delays would cause it to open nearly a year later.

STOVE AND TAP EXPANDS

Fast forward to current times, Weathers and Monnich recently threw open the doors and celebrated the long-overdue opening in their newest market. Stove and Tap West Chester is now grand open and serving for indoor dining at 50% capacity, with hope on the horizon from the governor to finally fill those bar seats up for the very first time with the return of bar business, and expand indoor seating to 75%.

"We are thrilled to announce the grand opening of Stove and Tap West Chester - our third Stove and Tap location and fifth new restaurant for Stove and Co. Restaurant Group," said Weathers. "Chef and his culinary team will bring our signature and beloved American classic favorites plus modern gastropub fare to a new area of the Philadelphia suburbs. We have been working on Stove and Tap Malvern since 2019 and faced some big set-backs during the pandemic. After all the challenges and nearly a year delay we are ready to rock and roll and we can not wait to get to know our neighbors and new patrons. We pride ourselves on being a great destination for food, drink and quality service - and we hope to become an active member of our new community."

Stove and Tap Wesy Chester is now open at 158 West Gay Street, with 6,000 square feet of space for the restaurant and bar. At 50% capacity at the moment, it features 70 seats. Inside, guests find a warm, comfortable and rustic Americana vibe featuring contrasting woods, Pennsylvania inspired decor, a stylish 46 feet long bar, and high and low top socially distanced seating. Monnich and his culinary team are firing up American classics, modern gastropub fare and scratch-made cuisine. For the first time ever, Stove and Tap offers Monnich's take on pizzas using the on-site pizza oven. Regular hours will be Sunday to Thursday, 4:00pm to 9:00pm, and Friday and Saturday, 4:00pm to 10:00pm. For more about Stove and Tap, call (484) 999-0922, or visit http://www.stoveandtap.com/. Reservations are now live on Open Table. Stove and Tap West Chester will launch with dinner, take-out, indoor dining and legal cocktails to go - with delivery, lunch, weekend brunch and outdoor seating to follow in coming weeks and months.

This grand opening for Stove and Tap West Chester represents the third expansion for their evolving Pennsylvania brand. The Stove and Tap brand focuses on fresh, local and delicious ingredients that delivers a product tailored for the community it serves. Scratch made American classics and chef driven dishes drive a seasonal menu, craft cocktails, great American wines, and a beer list that highlights local and nationally celebrated brews. Weathers said, "At Stove & Tap, we pride ourselves on being more than just a great restaurant. Our food menu is ever-changing using the freshest, local ingredients prepared to perfection. Our mission is simple... to provide our guests with a dynamic dining experience in an exciting environment filled with big flavor and big personality."

Moving forward, with this third Stove and Tap, Weathers explained that each location will have a slightly different menu based on the building, equipment and community needs. Some main staples and Stove & Tap signature dishes will cross-over. Also, the level of community involvement will differ and be unique to the community that the restaurant is located in.

Weathers explained, "Stove and Tap in Lansdale focuses on elevated comfort food and our big American classics, and Malvern was our first location that features our big hits on the menu plus woodfire smoke house comfort cuisine. For West Chester, look for your Stove and Tap favorites and elevated comfort food, but a menu leaning more towards modern gastropub fare."

For this project, Weathers and Monnich tapped the talent of Architect Niko Kotopoulos from Nest Studios LLC. Work began on Stove and Tap West Chester in 2019. The entire inside of the property was being re-done from top to bottom to bring patrons a top quality experience. Weathers explained that the duo brought the building down the studs and rebuilt from there - with all new floors, ceilings, decor and other elements.

The decor and vibe features rustic americana interior with rustic American pieces, taxidermy, wood and metal. Classic American rock and blues will keep the heads rocking while guests enjoy an always thoughtful presentation of food and fun service. Look for reclaimed wood and reclaimed aluminum ceilings, and reclaimed newly installed wooden floors.

"Stove and Tap West Chester has amazing large windows that bring in beautiful light during the daytime and we wanted to capitalize on that lightness in the design," said Weathers. "For this location, we also went out specially to find unique antiques and memorabilia that celebrates our local and Pennsylvania dutch heritage."

Weathers added, "Yes, there will of course be the large taxidermy bear like the famous bear at Landsdale. It wouldn't be Stove and Tap without him."

The bear at Lansdale - nicknamed Biff, after Stove and Tap's first chef who is now the owner and Chef at Ripplewood in Ardmore - was a surprise gift from interior designer Diana Schwartz. The tradition of having a bear in each location has carried on to Malvern and now to West Chester.

Stove and TapWestChester will create 42 new jobs to start with up to 70-80 jobs when indoor dining 100% capacity and outdoor dining begins.

REVIVAL PIZZA PUB ANNOUNCED
Hot on the heels of the grand opening of Stove and Tap West Chester, Stove and Co. Restaurant Group is thrilled to announce the very first details of their new concept and restaurant - coming to Chester Springs later this spring/summer. Weathers and Monnich will open Revival Pizza Pub at 240 Windgate Drive in Weatherstone Town Center. The new concept is in partnership with Hankin Group.
Weathers said, “The timing of the opening of Revival is a time where we will all relish in the rebuilding of post pandemic dining. This will be the Revival of dining out after a year of having to do things very differently. We call it a Pizza Pub because we want everyone to know that there is going to be a very real bar scene here.”
Revival Pizza Pub will be a Modern American Restaurant offering a variety of appetizers, salads, pizzas, sandwiches and large plates using fresh and local ingredients with a fun, family friendly atmosphere in Weatherstone Town Center. Revival will be open seven days a week and serving up lunch and dinner daily with brunch on Sunday. Programming will include happy hour, live music and more. A full bar featuring craft cocktails, drafts and natural wines will be available with outdoor dining in the spring & summer months.

The sweeping 6,700 square foot space will feature modern vibes, lush greenery, natural light and oversize windows, and expansive outdoor cafe seating. Dining room will feature a forty foot long L-shaped bar that is made from reclaimed aluminum and poured concrete. The layout will also feature semi-private party dining space for special events. Outdoor seating on a new patio front and back of the restaurant. Look for beautiful landscaping, beer garden decor, lush greenery and live music.
Revival Pizza Pub will be located in Weatherstone Town Center in Chester Springs, PA. Chester Springs is currently booming with new residential construction, young families moving in, and emerging retail and restaurants. Weatherstone itself is a walkable, mixed-use community with a diverse demographic. Weathers and Monnich are trying to create a new experience for all the young families moving into the area - and want to create a space they could see their own young families dining in and enjoying. They want to increase approachability for all ages. They also want to complement the existing restaurants in the area with an expanded cocktail and wine program.

“We see Chester Springs as a booming area with a lot of young families," said Weathers. "Revival is a place where all ages can comfortably come and have the experience they want 7 days a week. The two of us are both fathers to young children, so we sought to create something that we can bring our own families to.”
When opened, look for Revival Pizza Pub to create approximately 5 full time jobs and 55 part time positions for the opening phase.

DEPAUL'S TABLE ANNOUNCED
Hot on the heels of grand opening of Stove and Tap West Chester and news of Revival Pizza Pub coming to Chester Springs, Stove and Co. Restaurant Group is proud to announce a special new partnership with an industry veteran that will transform the former French brasserie into a modern spin on the fine-dining steakhouse.
DePaul’s Table: Modern Italian Steakhouse will bring Italian flavors, the finest cuts of steak, big chops, fresh seafood, seasonal vegetables, big salads, savory flatbreads and unparalleled service to 7E. Lancaster, in the former 10,000 square ft. home of the acclaimed restaurant The Bercy.

Anthony DePaul, formerly from The Chophouse and Marc Forgione’s American Cut Steakhouse, will bring a pedigree of industry insight and knowledge to this exciting new concept. DePaul aims to bring back the long lost artform of the Maitre D’ with elevated customer service and extra attention to detail. While the pandemic may have changed the state of dining for months and maybe years to come, DePaul and team looks to bring back all the things we have missed this last year about an exceptional dining experience. In the kitchen, DePaul has tapped New Jersey-native Executive Chef Jose Galicia (The Chophouse).

“To me, family is everything,” said DePaul. “I want DePaul’s Table to reflect the values that I’ve come to love and adore from my 20+ years’ experience in restaurants: there is nothing more important to me than top notch service, the freshness of ingredients, and a dedication to our food and drink offerings. Ardmore is a community filled with diverse tastes, wants, and needs. I look forward to encompassing myself in the local neighborhood while adding to the numerous contributions that Ardmore continues to maintain as it grows and expands its restaurant offerings.”

DePaul’s Table will take over the former historic home of Haverford Trust Bank dating back to the early 1900s. The prominent location sits majestically overlooking the intersection of Station Road and Lancaster Avenue. After a grand rehab, The Bercy occupied the space until renovations began this week for DePaul’s Table.

Inside look for 190 seats total between the dining rooms and the bar. The 40-seat bar features an extended raw bar that will feature displays of fresh oysters, shrimp cocktails, and as well as several flatbreads that will come right from the wood fired oven. Look for a mix of two and four tops, plus banquets. Three spaces for private dining and parties. Outside look for up to 20 seats on Lancaster Avenue and along Station Road.

Look for DePaul’s Table to launch with indoor, outdoor, dinner, happy hour, bar service, take-out cocktails to go and catering. Down the road, look for lunch, brunch and late night. The menu will feature signature dishes such as a 48 ounce Tomahawk Rib-Eye, Sea Scallops with a Porcini Dusting, 28 Day Dry Aged Pat La Freida NY Strip, Wood-Fired Flat Breads, Bone-In Veal Milanese, Seafood Tower and more.

DePaul’s Table will launch with an estimated 30-35 PT positions and 8-10 FT positions. Once up and running, with the addition of expanded hours, lunch and brunch, look for up to 30-40 PT positions and 12-15 FT positions.

DePaul added, "Stove and Co. Restaurant Group is on fire and taking over the Philadelphia suburbs! Justin Weathers and Joe Monnich have been reshaping the suburban restaurant scene since before the pandemic. After being true survivors out here during the last year, they came back strong and their restaurants are thriving and the weather just started breaking. Stove and Tap and Al Pastor are amazing concepts for families in the Philadelphia suburbs. Congrats to them on the grand opening of Stove and Tap West Chester and news of their newest concept, Revival Pizza Pub! I couldn’t think of a duo better suited to partner with me on my first restaurant - together we have big things coming to Ardmore and the Main Line. I am excited for our journey together."

WEST CHESTER NEWS COMING SOON
Later this spring, look for the announcement of a second concept for the West Chester market that will be located adjacent to Stove and Tap Wester. The new concept will be an underground restaurant and bar, with a focus on the exceptional beverage program. Details are coming soon, with a potential summer opening date. This new concept in West Chester will be brand new and fresh, and be something completely new for Weathers and Monnich.
Weathers said, “We are flush with concepts, but only certain concepts match the community. We look at the people, what they want, what is there, and what will drive growth. We have a concept in mind, and we are taking in all the info from the Stove and Tap opening to ensure its the right fit for our new community. We want to focus on perfecting Stove and Tap, and then when the time is right share details of our newest venture."

FUTURE EXPANSION
Stove and Co. Restaurant Group is currently open and exploring options for Al Pastor as they might want to replicate the success they had in expanding the Stove and Tap brand. When asked about Revival Pizza Pub expanding to new locations, Weathers said, "Never say never.When we create a new concept we at first want to think of it as an individual restaurant we are pouring our heart and soul into - and that matches the personality of the community we are in. However, there is always the possibility of expansion as we saw with Stove and Tap. We definitely are open to options and plan to focus on Al Pastor's future after this flurry of exciting growth. With Revival Pizza Pub, our first goal is to open the door and to perfect our new brand. Then we will sit back and look ahead to what is next. Nothing is off the table."
As seen from a complete turn-around of shut-downs, and then COVID19 related opening delays, it is full steam ahead for Stove and Co. - and truly nothing is off the table or out of reach with all the exciting news for Suburban diners.

HOSPITALITY JOBS
The four new concepts above are expected to create (at launch of each project) approximately 150 new full and part time jobs. Once fully opened and capacity increases, these new restaurants could add as many as up to 200 jobs to the hospitality market in the Philly suburbs and Pennsylvania.