SOMERS POINT — Come Memorial Day weekend, Webster’s Tavern will be a new neighborhood pub where locals and visitors can gather to enjoy food, drinks, each other’s company and watch sports on 38 large-screen TVs.
The clues have been there for a few weeks as construction crews have been revamping the interior of the former Windjammer Cafe along MacArthur Boulevard in Somers Point.
The sign for the new location already is in place.
Chris Webb, a hospitality veteran from Somers Point, is the man behind this neighborhood pub. It’s his first independent venture and he is hands-on; Webb was moving boxes and overseeing the work being done during his interview with the Sentinel.
“We’re hoping this becomes a legacy bar where the community comes together, just like everywhere else in this town. There’s enough people in this neighborhood for everybody to be busy, so we hope to be part of it.”
Webb said the interior of the Windjammer wasn’t in bad shape, but for his concept, which involves the big-screen televisions, he needed to redo it to arrange the high-tops and booths so patrons have good views of the screens featuring NFL Ticket and other sports packages.
“I have lived in Somers Point for about four years. Every time I drove by here, I always through it would be a great place, a prime location to open,” Webb said.
When he heard the restaurant was for sale, he walked in, met the owners “and basically had a handshake deal the next day.”
In his work in the hospitality industry, Webb said he has opened neighborhood pubs, a steakhouse, wine bar and things like that. He believes the pub concept is a great fit for Somers Point but he will be combining aspects from a few concepts.
As Webb put it in a release about the opening, “Somers Point is on fire right now, and it’s only going to get better. It’s one of the premier year-round bar and restaurant towns from Brigantine to Cape May. We’re excited to be joining some of the best legacy bars at the shore and hope to add our own style to the already great energy and sense of community by the bay in Somers Point.”
Webster’s Tavern is going to have — as the name implies — “modern tavern classics” on the menu, handcrafted cocktails, local craft beers and a curated selection of wines by the glass. There will be a happy hour, late-night menu and a wing night.
“We’re going to have a great happy hour,” Webb told the Sentinel.
His bar menu will include some great crush cocktails, tequila drinks, a whole spritz menu and a lot of espresso drinks.
Webb said he was close to full staff on seasonal hires getting ready for the busy summer here at the shore, but is now looking for year-round servers and bartenders. (Applications can be filed online at https://websterstavernsp.com/)
“We’re excited to be part of the community,” Webb said. “Every person in the township we’ve had to deal with has been amazing,” he added. “Local bar owners have been great, stopping over for tours. It really feels like everybody has rolled out the red carpet and we’re excited to be part of the community.”
Webb noted the name of his tavern has a familiar derivation. “My cousins call me Webster … so I just ran with it,” he said, smiling.
And just like that, Webb was back to work to get Webster’s Tavern open by the Thursday before Memorial Day weekend (May 22).
– By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
