Varsity Inn legacy lives on with change of ownership

The historic Varsity Inn begins a new chapter in its 53-year history after a grand re-opening ribbon cutting on Friday, Feb. 10.

The ceremony recognized the retirement of long-time owner Keith Symonds and transition to new owners, Chris and Marsha McCarthy.

bill McMahon, president of the Ocean City regional Chamber of Commerce, recognized Symonds for his 53 years of service to the Ocean City community by giving him a ceremonial “piece of the boardwalk.”

Council President Pete Madden, Council Vice President Karen bergman, Councilman Terry Crowley, Jody Levchuk, Tomaso rotondi, and Tony Policini were all on hand for the celebration.

“From the College Inn days on the b oardwalk to the Varsity Inn on 8th Street, the Symonds family has been involved in the Ocean City community since the 1960s,” said Symonds. “I selected a family to continue my family's Varsity Inn traditions, from my parents, my Aunt Helen to me, including my baked tomato soup.”

Since the Symonds family’s first summer of ownership in 1970, the historic building has served many generations of Ocean City locals and visitors alike. The McCarthy family is committed to the preservation of both Symonds’ legacy and the Varsity’s beloved traditions. Veteran Varsity kitchen and servers are joined by a few new staff members.

“The Varsity Inn is known for family, friends and good vibes. We are so thankful to Keith for selecting my family to lead the next chapter in the Varsity Inn’s long and continuing history,” said new owner Chris McCarthy. “After 53 memorable years, great days still start here.”

The Varsity Inn building was built in 1905 and has served as a Methodist retreat, a one room schoolhouse, The Florida Inn, and a private residence. In 1969, the Symonds Family purchased the property and the Varsity Inn restaurant celebrated its first summer in 1970. The Varsity Inn was renovated in 2006, and again in early 2023. The Varsity Inn is known for its caring service, great American food and local favorites, like baked Jersey Tomato Soup.

For more information regarding the Varsity Inn´s next chapter, please visit varsityinnocnj.org

Views from the Shore

By Brian Cahill

In early March 2020, there was a mysterious buzz felt around the Somers Point bar scene. The inaugural Somers Paddy Crawl was about a week away, and rumor had it there would be a “Master Crawler” leading the crowds from bar to bar making sure everyone had a great time along the way.

The “Master Crawler’s” name? Mikal Joedon.

As the Somers Paddy Crawl began March 7, 2020, chatter could be heard from the bar stools at Gregory’s to the decorative taps at Josie Kelly’s all about this peculiar fellow. What would he look like? What type of accent did he have? How many wings at Charlie’s would he eat?

As the day went on, and dusk turned to dark, the crawlers kept looking and asking questions, but they never got answers. Mikal Joedon disappeared into the night, like the sounds of music and laughter off the deck of Caroline’s.