For 75 years, Morris County eatery served meals and memories. Can fans save it?
For 75 years, Bill’s Luncheonette has been a cherished fixture in the Chester-Randolph community, filling bellies — and sometimes selling stamps and fixing vacuum cleaners. But the eatery was forced to close last month due to financial struggles and faltering kitchen equipment.
That’s the bad news.
The good: An online fundraiser launched two weeks ago, seeking $30,000 to help turn things around, has already exceeded $41,000, giving its fans reason for hope.
Located on North Road in Chester Township, just across the border from the Ironia section of Randolph, Bill’s has been a Morris County institution since it opened during President Harry Truman’s administration. But it closed last month, when “a continued string of bad luck and unfortunate issues” forced the historic eatery to close, the proprietors explained on a GoFundMe page .
Bill’s Luncheonette during its grand re-opening following a remodeling of the circa-1860 building in 2014.
They are determined to re-open, and clearly the community has their back.
“We are so overwhelmed and incredibly grateful for the outpouring of love and support we’ve seen from our community in less than a week — Thank you, thank you!” fourth-generation owners Bruce and Meaghen Button wrote in an update last week. “We’ve had some good conversations regarding viable next steps, and are hopeful we can start to put plans in motion based on the amazing contributions far and wide.”
The long history of Bill’s Luncheonette
The eatery operated out of a two-story, home-like building built in 1860. The structure was owned by the Stryker family until Robert Crowley purchased it in 1941. Known at the time as “The Store,” Bill’s also doubled as the Ironia Post Office at the time.
Crowley’s grandson, Bill, took it over in 1949, doubling as cook and Ironia postmaster while butchering his own meat. With his name added to the sign outside the store, Crowley built a business that brought friends and neighbors together for decades.
“Bill’s is just a great Chester establishment that has been serving up hot breakfast and lunch for people in town for literally 75 years,” said former Chester Township Mayor Mike Inganamort, now an Assemblyman representing New Jersey’s 24th legislative district. “It would be a shame for that to come to an end, so personally, I’m excited [for them] to hopefully reopen and wish them a lot of success.”
The luncheonette also operated from time to time as a general store and a vacuum repair business. Over the years, Bill’s became “more than just a place to grab a quick bite to eat — it has been a cherished part of the community,” the Buttons wrote on their fundraising page. “A place where stories are shared, friendships are made, and generations have gathered around the same lunch counter.”
Bruce and Meaghan Button, the co-owners of Bill’s Luncheonette, celebrated the cherished eatery’s 65th anniversary in 2014. Financial challenges and aging equipment forced them to close last month, but a fundraising campaign has gathered $41,000 so far.
Inganamort said his go-to breakfast order was a Taylor Ham, Egg and Cheese — known at Bill’s as a “Bill McMutt” — on an everything bagel. “If they don’t have that, onion will do.”
The menu also was famous for its French toast, pancakes, egg sandwiches and breakfast platters. Lunch featured burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, salads and the signature Meg and Brew’s Chili.
Bill’s grandson, Bruce, has operated the establishment with his wife, Meaghen, since 2012.
“From making breakfast sandwiches and coffees to-go by candlelight during the week post-Superstorm Sandy, to masking up and serving heat-and-eat meals after indoor dining was suspended during the early stages of COVID, we have always worked hard to be resourceful and to be open for our community,” they wrote. “The Buttons have been honored to serve you and your families.”
COVID setbacks, equipment failures
Despite Bill’s popularity, the pandemic proved to be a serious setback, as it was for many small businesses. The building and its equipment also began to show the toll of years of wear and tear, leading to temporary closures earlier this year. Bill’s was forced to shut indefinitely on Aug. 23.
“Our equipment is old (some actual antiques), increasingly unreliable and constantly failing,” the Buttons said. Cost estimates for repair or replacement include up to $7,000 for a new griddle-broiler, $15,000 for a walk-in refrigerator and $7,000 for upgraded fire-safety systems.
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“We are reaching out to our communities and beyond, in a time of need,” they added, saying they were “determined to get Bill’s Luncheonette back open and running with opportunity for sustainability and longevity of the business. But we need funds to replace our inoperable equipment and make some immediate, essential updates and repairs, to ensure that we can continue to serve you to the best of our abilities.”
Inganamort added he would like to see state authorities step up to help small businesses facing similar struggles.
“It’s hard to operate a business in the state of New Jersey,” he said. “They are not alone in experiencing challenges.”
William Westhoven is a local reporter for DailyRecord.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Email: [email protected]
Twitter/X: @wwesthoven
This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Morris County fans rally to save Bill’s Luncheonette in Chester Twp
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