INSIDE THIS WEEK: After Dam Fails, Flood Waters Wash Out Road & Bridge in Pemberton - Pg. 6
PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE www.pinebarrenstribune.com
Vol. 2 – No. 26
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February 24, 2018 – March 2, 2018
Continuing the Legacy PHOTO BY RYAN MARCHESE
Red Lion Diner in Southampton Township.
Lontorfos Family Retires After Serving Community for 45 Years By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer
SOUTHAMPTON—It was the beginning of a new era on Thursday at the Red Lion Diner in Southampton Township. Jimmy and Cynthia Lontorfos retired shortly after lunchtime and transferred ownership of the famed family-oriented restaurant to Andy Linardos, Paul Tsiknakis and Steve Tsiknakis (see separate story introducing the new owners). “It has been a privilege to have served the community for four and half decades,” said Cynthia Lontorfos, Jimmy’s wife. “It is only because of our loyal customers and employees that the diner could succeed.” The diner was built at the Red Lion Circle, where Routes 206 and 70 come together, in 1971 by Lynn Contravo. Contravo, who built a series of diners throughout the state, called the restaurant Red Lion Town & Country Diner when he opened its doors for business. The diner, like many others built from the 50s
to 80s, was constructed on a foundation of diner cars, welded together. The cars already had booths, counters, plumbing and electrical lines in them. “Since the 50s, of the three largest diner car manufacturers in the country, two are in North Jersey,” Cynthia Lontorfos said. “Once the trailers arrived on site, it was like putting a puzzle together.” Contravo sold the diner to Lontokal Inc. on Sept. 17, 1973. “Lontokal” stood for a combination of partners last names: Jimmy Lontorfos; Nick Lontorfos, Jimmy ’s father; and Alex Kalaitzis, Jimmy’s brother-in-law. John Lontorfos, Jimmy’s brother, became a partner when Nick Lontorfos retired. “The original diner had less than half the seats as the one today,” Cynthia Lontorfos said. “The original diner only consisted of a diner front and small, middle dining room.” The Lontorfos and Kalaitzis families made the first of many changes to the diner in 1978.
DINER>>PAGE 20
Philanthropic Family Assumes Ownership of 47-Year-Old Landmark Diner By Douglas D. Melegari Staff Writer
SOUTHAMPTON—A family with a long history of inspiring devotion in others and successful entrepreneurship has taken the reins of the Red Lion Diner in Southampton Township. The 47-year-old landmark in the Pine Barrens of Southern New Jersey, where thousands of folks gather for breakfast, lunch and dinner on a weekly basis, was sold to a trio of business partners on Thursday morning, Feb. 22. Co-owning the Red Lion Diner is a dream come true for 32-year-old Paul Tsiknakis, who will be the diner’s primary operator. “My whole life, I remember seeing the Red Lion Diner going to the shore,” he said. “It was at the top of my list to visit and possibly own one day as it is a landmark and staple.” The 32-year old entrepreneur has quite a story to tell. After graduating Holy Cross High School in
Delran and La Salle University in Philadelphia, he became a financial analyst with Merrill Lynch. Throughout his time as a financial analyst, Paul Tsiknakis said he gravitated towards owning his own business. Shortly after taking the job with Merrill Lynch, opportunity knocked on the Columbus resident’s door at age 22 when he was offered a chance to co-own his first diner. “I bought the original Ponzios of Brooklawn with partners,” he said. “That is where I learned the whole business and I had great mentors there.” Paul Tsiknakis, and his partners; Andy Linardos, father-in-law; and Steve Tsiknakis; his father, sold the award-winning Ponzios of Brooklawn, now called the Metro Diner, in 2014 after they purchased the 350-seat capacity Lamp Post Diner in 2013. Under the trio’s leadership, the Lamp Post Diner
FAMILY>>PAGE 16
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