Newport House Restaurant

Established, August 1973

Open Year Round

THE HISTORY OF THE NEWPORT HOUSE RESTAURANT

On the edge of a well worked farmfield on the remote fringes of the salt meadows of lower Cumberland County, New Jersey, there stands a structure which was initially used for the first half of the 1900's, to house the seasonal migrant workers, during the growing season here in Newport.

 As the labor intensive crops made way for the more mechanized grain crops, the need for labor housing dwindled. The "farm labor" house, as it was referred to, was maintained as a "vacation" or "getaway" cottage into the 1950's. During the late 1950's, the original building was often used as a weekend retreat by the son of movie actor Claude Raines, who loved to gain his thoughts in peaceful surroundings.

 This peacefulness is still an integral part of the Newport House and continues as it was intended by its creators.

Tiffany Lamps Throughout The Restaurant,

                              Contribute To The Warm Romantic Glow  

In August of 1973, both the late Don Pappas and Jim Kelly decided to turn the former migrant worker's shack into a Pizza Parlor and call it The Newport Pizza Cottage. The menu consisited of sandwiches, many different pasta variations, and of course...Pizza. Those were the days when a platter of Spaghetti and meatballs sold for $1.75, a large Pizza cost about $2.50 and sandwiches were 90 cents each. This was the Township's only year-round restaurant and was open 7 days a week from Noon to Midnight. The front room is the original building. It had a circular lunch counter with stools and tables which seated 4 persons at each. There was even a juke box which offered 3 selections for a quarter. Tiffany shades were hanging everywhere and still are.

The Newport House,         

Features 4 Fireplaces

As the Newport House grew, it began to attract patrons from a 50 mile radius and it became obvious, more space was needed. Jim Kelly designed and built the Dining Room, and a primitive "terrace room" with the help of friends who shared his special skills. His partner, Don Pappas worked on the decor. Most of the changes took place in 1976. A full dinner menu was added...Pizza was reluctantly discontinued...and the name was changed to Newport House Restaurant. The Newport House has been in continuous year round operation ever since.

           The Palm Terrace