The announcement that a beloved bar and restaurant is closing after more than six decades has sent ripples through the community as residents contend with losing a local favorite.
Al and Mildred Ulrich opened the Tilton Inn in 1963.
Since then, it has been passed down in the family over the years. The announcement of its closure surprised many.
Christine Ulrich, an immediate family member who has been helping with the business, talks about the closing:
“It was time,” said Christine Ulrich, a family member who has been helping with the inn. “There were a lot of tears to come to this decision, but it is what is best for our family moving forward.”
She expressed her gratitude to the customers who have supported the Tilton.
The family is “grateful for the outpouring of support” and “they are all overwhelmed by the support and heartwarming stories customers share.”
Its welcoming atmosphere and diverse menu have made the Tilton a popular stop for locals and visitors.
From its famous French onion soup, loaded nachos and beer-battered onion rings to its gourmet salads and numbered list of burgers, the Tilton Inn has always offered something for everyone.
The closure marks the end of an era.
The final day of business is expected to be April 27.
As that day approaches, patrons meet at the Tilton Inn to enjoy one last meal and drink, and say their goodbyes.
The atmosphere is bittersweet as customers reminisce about the good times they’ve had while grappling with the reality of its closure.
Bartender Julie Frazier is having an emotional time leaving her job.
She feels like her patrons are all friends and family.
As she talks, people around the bar say yes and shake their heads in unison.
The Tilton Inn is more than just a restaurant and bar, it’s where memories are made, friendships are forged, and the community comes together.
Its closure will leave a void in the local dining scene, and its absence will be felt by all who knew and loved it.
As the Tilton Inn prepares to close its doors, the community wonders what will become of the property.
Will a new establishment take its place, or will the building remain vacant, a silent reminder of what once was? Only time will tell.
In the meantime, the community is left to reflect on the Tilton Inn's impact on Egg Harbor Township.
As we say goodbye to the Tilton Inn, we are reminded of the impermanence of things. Businesses come and go, but the memories they create can last a lifetime.
The Tilton Inn may be closing its doors, but the memories it has created will live on. And in the end, isn’t that what truly matters?
So, here’s to the Tilton Inn: to the memories it created, the community it served and the legacy it leaves behind. You will be missed.
