One of Egg Harbor City's most historic buildings is about to get a new tenant. Social media postings are hinting at a new restaurant and bar opening soon in the old Egg Harbor City firehouse.

New signs are up on the building and a December opening is expected for the new Firehouse Bar & Grill at 105 Philadephia Avenue.

The previous establishment in the firehouse was also a restaurant and bar.

Leatherhead Pub, a gastropub opened in 2016 by famed South Jersey restaurateur and chef Lisa Savage, who had had previous success with her Savaradio restaurants and Sage and Lisa's in Ventnor, was an absolute joy with an interesting menu and a wide selection of draft beer.

At the time, Savage told the Press of Atlantic City she instantly knew she wanted to create a restaurant in the firehouse.

“I fell in love with this building as soon as I saw it. Even though it didn’t look anything like it does now, I knew exactly how I wanted it to look. “

Though Leatherhead Pub won critical acclaim and was well-received by the Egg Harbor City community, by August of 2020, Savage was forced to close the business, writing on Facebook, "Due to circumstances beyond our control we are temporarily closing Leatherhead."

The closure turned out to be permanent and the firehouse has sat vacant until now.

Anyone who tried Leatherhead Pub will remember what a beautiful space the firehouse building is, with gorgeous big windows and the original wainscoting, wooden interior, and tin ceiling all still intact.

A check with the records of the Egg Harbor City Historical Society tells a fascinating story.

The Firehouse was constructed in 1918 when it was decided to merge the city's three fire companies and a new building was needed to house the foreman's horsedrawn apparatus and hand pumpers.

In 1918, motorization was in its infancy, as was the city's water supply.

The Egg Harbor City firehouse remained in service until 1974 when the fire department moved to 631 Philadephia Ave.

We are now about to find out how the firehouse's latest occupant, The Firehouse Bar & Grill fares in the historic location. I can't wait to see for myself.

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