Well, despite the swirling rumors about the Plumstead being sold, I'm afraid it's now true. It looks like the last formality and official statement of "nothing's been signed", has now been, well, signed. That means you have about 90 days until the Plumstead closes for good, which takes us to about the end of the year.
Looks like Brick and Brew of Havertown will be the new occupiers. I don't think they've yet made an announcement. Either way, expect extensive renovations to begin sometime early next year. I'm hearing they are looking to gut the whole place to bring yet another brick oven pizza and microbrew format.
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| Plumstead Inn on State Street - Media, PA |
It wasn't just that though, during special Phillies games Chuck would make a sign out of cardboard announcing dollar hotdogs during the game. What a deal! Especially when Phillies where deep in the playoffs that led to a World Series. Wow, did we have a good time, especially with the boxing-ring bell that people would wail on. Or the great community generosity that the Plumstead was known for. Want to have a special party on a Sunday for a big event? Bring in the crockpots, hoagies and desserts, the Plumstead handled the rest because that's
how much appreciation there was for the community.
Well, it didn't hit me until someone sent me a text, that I knew what it was I was looking for to describe my favorite Media establishment. The message said, "It's the last place in Media I felt at home at." And that folks, perfectly describes what this place was and how much Media is changing.
There's always John's
ReplyDeleteNot quite the same.
DeleteNot quite the same
DeleteNO NOT John's NEVER NO WAY, John's !! Go to The Sterling Pig, Iron Hill or Diego's Cantina but NOT JOHN'S !!!!!
DeleteThis is the best place in Media, hands down! I can't believe it's not going to be here anymore. I am so tired of this town changing. Let's tear down the beautiful Victorians, bring in 20 $500,000 town houses. I'm sick of this. The Plumstead is the best place. The bartender's and barmaids are like family.
ReplyDeleteSame thing happened to the Little Inn, they had the best crab cakes
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ReplyDeleteWhen Jimmy died, John's went south pretty quick. I was a regular there and at The Plumstead. It's sad to see The Plumstead go as well since it is one of the few places I can get a cheap lunch and a beer or 5. The location is amazing though for any business so hopefully the next place isn't terrible, but I hear their prices are higher than Picasso's.
ReplyDeleteSometimes you need to go where everybody knows your name
ReplyDeleteI am sorry but this is the best place in Media? You felt at home here? Does you house smell like the Plumstead?Give me a break! The Plumstead is a "OK" dive bar at best, Change is a good thing when its in a positive direction. I have been to the Brick and Brew in Havertown several times and have left impressed and satisfied each time. The menu and staff are amazing! I found the service is much better than every restaurant in Media. I love media I live, work and raise my kids here. Brick and Brew is owned buy a couple Delaware county guys not some big corporation. The Change in Media has been nothing but for the better in the last 10 years Good Luck Brick and Brew I can wait until you guys Open Its going to be awesome!!!
ReplyDeleteLife long Delaware County Resident and Media Business Owner
Why not leave your name? or at least your Business Name, so we can support our local Businesses?
DeleteWhy not say your Name or at least your Business name so we can support our Local Businesses?
DeleteApparently anonymous didn't grow up in Media. Then they might get it. It is sad how nothing stays the same. At least we have our memories, it was definitely a good ole, local, yocal bar.
DeleteNothing ever stays the same. That is the best part of life.
DeleteBrick and Brew is great!
ReplyDeleteif you like hipster bars and prices
Deleteif you like hipster bars and prices
DeleteReally? The Plumstead is the best bar in America? I'm a little sad to see it go because of it's history, but let's not be overdramatic here. It's a dive bar at best. The great part about Media is every place knows your name, no matter where you go: Pinocchio's, Quotations, Iron Hill...wherever. All you have to do is try new places and get out of your groove.
ReplyDeleteBrick and Brew is great. It's locally owned and they will embrace the community. A pizza bar is coming to town, not the plague. Let's welcome them and embrace them and not be resistant to change so much.
The Plumstead was hardly the greatest bar in the world, but it was ours, and it was the last unpretentious place in Media to get a drink. Sure, there's Johns, but I'd never meet my grandfather in John's the way I used to at the Plumstead.
ReplyDeleteState Street used to have bars and a hardware store. Now there's 120 specialty stores and a bunch of craft restaurants.
Thumbs down. There's already enough overpriced, "gourmet" bar food. Might as well be on the Main Line.
What a great addition to our community! So excited to have that menu come to town so I do not have to travel to Havertown on a weekly basis anymore.
ReplyDeleteSeriously?
DeleteSeriously?
DeleteI'm gonna miss the plummy it really make me sad to think that it's really going.. Every Friday night growing up I went there with my parents to eat dinner and Helen was our waitress she knew us all by our first names and the food was great. After I turned 21 it was myself and my friends that ended up there every Friday... Chuck best of luck to you hope you enjoy more time with your family. Dom and Fran I'm gonna miss you too
ReplyDeleteAfter five plus years of going to the plummy I was having a quiet beer one day with Chuck behind the bar and Leroy back in the kitchen cleaning up after lunch. Chuck and I had a chat that slowly warmed and after a bit I let on that my dad, a county prosecutor, had been his regular for years and that I had come to the bar as a kid before it was moved to the present location. Chuck and I discussed old times and that change of venue for the Plummy. As a town, Media made it past that change in part because the needs of the town were inherently honored in the deal; The walkway was created which allowed the construction of the garage which enabled more large countywide community events to be held, all while allowing the plummy to continue in its rightful place in the community. The guy harping on here about the new place coming being awesome, is a harbinger of what a bad deal the passing of the plummy is for Media: to have jerks like that disrespecting us so much that he would tell me he so glad he wont have to go to Havertown anymore, clearly shows he knows nothing of the town or how insulting his shameless promotion of the new place really is: what a great way to get it off on the wrong foot! Every little town needs a meeting place where sleeves get rolled up and passable food without frills is fairly priced, and where the interest of the locals is the first interest of the barkeep. Johns and the Plumstead have filled this role for decades. it is no coincidence that two cousins Jimmy and Chuck had the businesses: they were genetically compelled to be regular hardworking guys whose passion was providing the backdrop for the life stories of the locals. They did not run formulaic brew pubs whose offerings are designed to be acceptable to a visitor with more jingle in their pockets. Such establishments are not primarily designed to express such a passion. If Media is a book then John's and the plummy and to some degree maybe Packy's were the thing which bound and held the story together. Packy's imploded after the cocaine 90's. And with Jimmy now having passed away, John's has a new owner whose disinterest in the town and its people is the stuff that motel 6 franchise revocations are made of : a cirrhotic liver fogs the brain of any manager. Having watched his cousin pass, who can blame Chuck for selling the plumstead and having more time to raise a late life kid? And who can blame the plummy patrons who say "NOT JOHN'S!!!" as they are rightfully grieving their loss of both Jimmy and Chuck. John's COULD be the place if the owner were to hire an imaginative manager who could offer a hideaway for locals without breaking the bank. the truth is that with the passing of the Plummy the Media Market NEEDS a good dive to semi dive bar and the owner of John's needs to step up his game and bring in management with the kind of passion for town and people that Jimmy and Chuck both had. Thank you Jimmy! thank you Chuck! how blessed you are to have touched so many lives and heard so many stories! May Medians find a new place to share them!
ReplyDeleteThis makes me so sad! Last year at Dining under the stars we were told that our dog was not welcome or allowed on State street. The owner of the Plumstead called us overy to tell us our dog was welcome there, even providing a food and water dish. I'll never forget that kindness, and the food is really good too!
ReplyDeleteA dump with a bunch of smokers outside. Time for a change and brick and brew will be great for state street
ReplyDeleteI agree. Cart before the horse management. The building needs to be dropped although that would create an environmental hazard. Good bye
DeletePlumstead!!
My husband introduced me to Media and the Plumstead many years ago. One Christmas eve a bunch of us enjoyed the most delicious crown royal Manhattans! Thanks Chuck, Dom, and Fran for many happy memories!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't consider myself a Plumstead fan, but I will miss it when it leaves Media. One thing I'm not quite understanding is why everyone is complaining about yet another gastropub-like restaurant coming to Media, and how these new establishments are almost ruining Media. It seems like too many people are blaming these businesses that want to enter Media. Everyone needs to remember, the Plumstead is making their own decision to sell! If they cared as much about Media as everyone on this blog is making them out to appear, perhaps they would have done more to ensure they next owners kept the Plumstead as is. I know sometimes things are out of their hands, but John's did it, why couldn't the Plumstead. It disappoints me that THEY are selling out to the highest bidder.
ReplyDeleteThis is such EXCITING NEWS!!!! Brick and Brew is one of my favorite local establishments in the area. I go to the one in Havertown at least once per month - Great menu in a relaxing/chill atmosphere. I couldn't be happier! I know this news has "rocked some of your worlds" but the world will still turn. Mine, on the other hand, will turn with a burger and beer in my hand!
ReplyDeleteSo this past Monday night, the bartender told me himself that it's not officially sold, therefore they don't know what's going to happen or when anything is going to happen. So who's telling the true story here?
ReplyDeleteAny idea when they're closing?
ReplyDeleteThey had a "Last Call" banner up awhile ago but that's gone now. I went there on Jan. 18 and it was open and it didn't seem like anything was changing soon.
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