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Old Oar Irish Pub in Millville, NJ Get a New Owner

The Old Oar House Irish Pub has a new owner, but things will stay very much the same at the North High Street business.

Brian Tomlin, who opened the Oar in 1998 as the first pub in Center City and turned it into an Irish pub two years ago, officially transferred ownership to city resident Todd Moore on Friday.

"It's not that I don't want to be in the business, but it's a young man's business," said Tomlin, 61. "When you're at that point and you're putting in those kinds of hours it's time to leave."

Moore, the former owner of Flying Tomato in Ocean View, said he will slightly alter the menu and provide more homemade foods, such as corned beef.

"We'll try to do more things from scratch," he said. "I will definitely start from the back and work my way forward. I'll get in the kitchen and work my way out."

But Moore said he will not change the essence of the establishment.

"I could have bought any bar or restaurant. There are a lot for sale," he said. "When I came here, I enjoyed it. If you're going to buy something, why not buy something people enjoy."

Moore graduated from the culinary school at Atlantic Cape Community College in 2003, and previously handled food preparation at Buena Vista Country Club.

Moore said he plans to keep the bar's Irish theme and open the outdoor Beer Garden by May 7. Eventually, the new owner said he'd like to tear down the wall that separates the two rooms.

"This is the end of High Street you want to be in," he said. "You don't need gimmicks. You just need good food, music and a good atmosphere."

Moore said he tried to acquire a loan from the city's Urban Enterprise Zone, but that has been put on hold due to uncertainty from Gov. Chris Christie about the future of the program.

Tomlin said he will remain at the Oar to help Moore and also develop business at the New Jersey Motorsports Park. Tomlin had a tent at the park's major events and sold pulled pork and sausage-and-pepper sandwiches.

Racing teams have frequented the Oar and the restaurant has catered during events at the track, Tomlin said.

"You can succeed in the restaurant business," he said. "You just have to work hard."

To read the full article by Joel Landau on The Daily Journal click here.

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