SJM_AroundTown_0819FINALreg 3_Dept 7 / 31 / 19 9 : 45 AM Page 1 S J M | A R O U N D T O W N A THE BROAD THEATRE Still WAY PITMAN OF Holding On DESPITE THE CHANGING ECONOMY AND TECH - DRIVEN BUSINESS LANDSCAPE , THESE SOUTH JERSEY ESTABLISHMENTS ARE PROVING THAT THERE IS SUCCESS IN NOSTALGIA . by Liz Hunter ll around South Jersey the physical landscape is changing . Intersections we once knew as traffic “ circles ” have disappeared , empty strip malls are being replaced by mixed - use developments and towns are embracing more walk - A able communities . While much of this change is for the better , it has rendered the area a bit unfamiliar . However , there are the holdouts in the bunch — establishments that remind us of our roots and a time when life moved just a bit slower . Even with all e changes around them , these businesses continue to provide locals with a healthy th dose of nostalgia , and we couldn’t imagine South Jersey without them . FAMOUS ’ S THE BARNSBORO INN WEBER BEER OT South Jersey can proudly lay claim to New Jersey’s longest - running business . The RO Barnsboro Inn was established as a tavern in 1776 by John Barnes , who owned a cabin ( built in 1720 ) at the intersection of several main roads in Mantua Township . All he had to do for the license was keep two spare beds for travelers and stabling for reminds us of a time before the multi - their horses and the license has been continuously renewed since . As the landscape plex took over the movie scene . Origi - evolved , so too did the Inn , which transitioned from boarding people and horses to nally opened in 1949 , the Drive - In , like only food and drink . The Inn has had some interesting names , including the Spread all drive - ins at the time , was an outlet Eagle and the Crooked Billet Inn , but Barnsboro has stuck the longest and seems only for suburban families in need of an right to pay homage to its founder . inexpensive night out . In fact , free baby Today , the Inn may be bigger than DELSEA DRIVE - IN bottle warming was a commonly adver - what Barnes first established , but its tised feature at the time . It did close in look still honors the cabin aesthetic 1987 but was re - opened in 2004 by new while continuing to serve locals or owners who added a second screen in those just passing through . 2008 , and both screens now use digital OF NOTE : The Inn’s current owner , projection . Among the other updates Tom Budd , is an ancestor of the orig - are the concession offerings , which inal log cabin’s builder , John Budd — boast more than popcorn — moviegoers a discovery made after he purchased can snack on sandwiches , pierogies , the business . Additionally , Teddy edamame and gluten - free and low - carb Roosevelt campaigned in the Inn’s options — all of which can be ordered parking lot in 1912 while running for via app from your car . Despite these president . modern conveniences , the Delsea Drive - In has remained true to the nos - DELSEA DRIVE - IN talgia of this American pastime . If you want to see a drive - in movie in OF NOTE : The first movies played here New Jersey , this theater in Vineland were The Drum with Sabu Dastagir , and is your only option . A relic of a dif - Midnight Serenade with Peggy Lee . ferent age , the Delsea Drive - In SOUTH JERSEY MAGAZINE volume 16 issue 5 SouthJerseyMagazine.com 68 |