New To Us

Aunt Chubby’s Luncheonette and Bakery Offers History, Top-Notch Food, and Friendship

It’s all about family at Aunt and what it meant to the arugula, caramelized onChubby’s in Hopewell. community.” ions, or bacon, sausage, or Family history, family Restoring the restaurant, pork roll. tradition, families coming which had essentially been Jersey Benedict features together — whether they closed for some years, was poached eggs, pork roll, are genetically related or a major undertaking, she hollandaise, and English through friendship and says. “We completely renomuffin, and the buttermilk reaching out to others, who vated the building, under the or buckwheat pancakes are then become “family.” guidance of Kevin Wilkes a sure-fire success, served of Princeton Design Guild, with butter, and pure maIT’S NEW and Pat Boyle of Hopewell Design Firm did the kitchen ple syrup. These are not “ordinary” pancakes, says To Us design. Pastry Department a breakfast fan. “They are large, fluffy, and fantastic.” “So many people helped Thin and Crisp “Our staff and customers are like family,” says Aunt Chubby’s owner, Lyn Farrugia. “We all take care of each other like family. We have had a great deal of help from so many people starting the business. Many of the Hopewell residents and longtime Aunt Chubby customers supported us, and continue to support us.” Aunt Chubby’s Luncheonette and Bakery, at 1 Railroad Place in Hopewell, is a true treasure. Its history is both unique and engaging. The building itself dates to 1903, when it was a general store and gathering place for the community, a tradition that continues today. us in the beginning. My daughter came from Arizona to design and set up the pastry department, and Michelle’s children were a part of it. “We had the help of so many Hopewell businesses and residents. Ruth Morpeth of the Morpeth Gallery supported us from the start, and resident Anne Wright Wilson has been involved since she first began coming years ago when Chubby was running it.” “I used to come for breakfast every Saturday after taking a walk,” recalls Wilson. “This was before my first baby was born, and she is now 36! Then, I brought my two children with me, Breakfast dishes are served throughout the day, and for many, they segue right into lunch. Other lunch choices include the Classic BLT on sourdough bread; Grilled Cheese, with cheddar and Swiss, on sourdough; Chubby’s Special Burger, with grass-fed beef, also a veggie burger; and the restaurant’s own popular chili. Salads include special house green salads with mixed lettuces, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, apples, pepitas, and white balsamic vinaigrette; and Greek salad featuring tomatoes, cucumber, red onions, olives, feta cheese, and herb vinaigrette. Sandwiches are

Evolving over the years, it and I still come for breakserved with salad or Chubcontinued to serve the comfast today.” by’s super French fries, thin munity, eventually becoming a luncheonette. Starting the day with breakfast at Aunt Chubby’s and crisp. A wide range of drinks

“Down-Home” is indeed a tradition for includes the very popular

Caroline Montello, aka many. In fact, numerous house lemonade, iced or hot “Aunt Chubby,” became a diners come at least once a tea (many varieties), sodas, fixture at the restaurant in week, and some even more and assorted coffees, from the 1970s, when she and often. Breakfast has always regular to expresso to cappartner Rose Sponholtz been an important part of puccino, and more. operated the restaurant. the luncheonette, and, over The pastry case is filled Initially known as Rose and time, the menu has evolved, with mouthwatering homeChubby’s, it later became points out Lyn Farrugia. It baked choices, such as Chubby’s Luncheonette. is more contemporary in a Polenta Cake, Chocolate

Diners came from all over number of ways, and feaGlazed Macaroons, Ginger the area for the “downtures many locally grown Cookies, and Lemon Bluehome” cooking and friendproducts. Chubby herself berry Yogurt Cake. An asly camaraderie. Chubby’s had supported local farm sortment of croissants is an legendary generosity and and sources, and this has added pleasure. “open-door” policy brought increased under Farrugia’s Prices cover a range, with her many fans. guidance. breakfast starting at $8 for

When she became ill in In addition, there are now two eggs, lunch at $9 and 2015, it was Chubby’s wish vegetarian, vegan, and gluup for salads, and $11 and to spend her final moments ten-free dishes. up for sandwiches. in the restaurant, and that is “We have our own special Added Component what family and friends arrecipes, fresh ingredients, Of course, COVID-19 has ranged for her. She was inlocal sources, and we try been a factor in Aunt Chubdeed able to breathe her last to have eye-appealing preby’s business operation. Rein the place she loved and sentations,” points out Faropening the eatery in June, that meant so much to her. rugia. after being closed for on-site

Having been “surrogate” One of the most popudining since March, Farrumother to Lyn and Joanne lar breakfast choices is the gia is encouraged about Farrugia and Michelle FarRoasted Veggie Bowl, inwhat she and the staff and rugia (now Hamilton), she cluding roasted seasonal volunteers have been able bequeathed the restaurant vegetables and arugula, to achieve, while facing exto them in her will. topped with two eggs, says traordinary challenges.

“We thought it was imporFarrugia. The Egg Sand“We are a luncheonette tant to carry on Chubby’s wich, with cheddar cheese but with the added compotradition and serve the comand choice of bacon, pork nent of helping people in munity as she had,” explains roll, or house sausage, is need,” she explains. “Before Lyn Farrugia, who also has another favorite, as is the the pandemic, it was always a career in homeopathic French-Style Omelet, with my goal to make sure that medicine. “We all had grown gruyere or cheddar, herbs, people have food, especially up with the restaurant, and and an addition of mushif they were in financial difhave fond memories of it rooms, roasted tomatoes, ficulty.” That focus has not only continued, but increased, with so many people facing hardships during this time, and the restaurant has established specific foodrelated programs to help individuals. “Since the middle of March, the Chubby’s Project has delivered 1,500 meals to local folks who need it most,” explains Farrugia. “These meals are nutritious and made with love! We also deliver weekly grocery bags, with pantry staples and fresh DINING OUT: Aunt Chubby’s Luncheonette and Bakery is curproduce. Volunteers deliver rently offering outdoor dining for breakfast and lunch, Thursthe food, assist with houseday through Sunday. Wednesday night dinner is also now hold tasks and errands, and available. Shown are diners enjoying a pleasant September afternoon at the restaurant. provide human connection in this time of distance.”

“Part of our mission is to educate people about how food builds community and to help people who are foodinsecure,” adds Liz Maziarz, Aunt Chubby’s development director. “Before the pandemic, we were giving money to the Hopewell Council of Churches who would advise us about who could use a gift certificate to Chubby’s.

“The pastors know the people who need help, and at first, we were using the profits from the restaurant to help, but with the pandemic, there really haven’t been profits, so we have been raising money.

Generous and Willing

“We have had help from Calvary Baptist Church, HOMESTYLE: “The customers are so happy that we have rewhich received a grant from opened. They are coming all the time, even during the panthe Princeton Area Commudemic. They say they feel it’s like coming home because so nity Foundation specifically many people know each other.” Lyn Farrugia, owner of Aunt for the Chubby Project,” she continues. “We see that many folks need help — Chubby’s Luncheonette and Bakery in Hopewell, is enjoying one of the restaurant’s popular salads. younger people who have original, now restored, 1913 a Wednesday night dinner lost jobs, seniors who aren’t telephone booth. It is said from 5 to 8 p.m. All onleaving their house. And, we to be one of the first telesite dining is outdoors, with also see many people who phones in Hopewell. seating available for 40. No are very generous and very Positive Force reservations; first come, willing to help others. The volunteers have been bringing bags of food, including a bouquet of flowers three times a week. “The volunteers help in so many ways. When they Farrugia looks forward to continuing to serve the community, and is pleased to be able to provide a setting where everyone feels welcome. “I love seeing people come in and enjoy first served. Takeout and curbside pickup are also available, as is delivery in the area. F or more informa - tion about the res- taurant and also to deliver meals to people, it eating with us and being help volunteer or supmeans so much to them, together. We have accomport Aunt Chubby’s Projespecially the ones who are plished something together. ect, call (609) 466-1974. living alone. It’s a chance to I could not have done this Website: www.chubbys connect and talk to somewithout the staff, including luncheonette.com. one. our manager Olivia Boyle, —Jean Stratton

“Also, since March, we and the volunteers. We are have offered groceries, and this has been a big success. We have fresh produce, local a true team. ”We want to continue to be a positive force in the GIVE YOUR TREES AND SHRUBS A WINTER COAT meats, milk, coffee, flour, yeast (it’s hard to get now), toilet paper, etc. We deliver community and bring people together. It meant so much when an area man, with Pepper deTuro WOODWINDS ASSOCIATES in Hopewell and the area. now retired, started coming

“In addition, anyone who in again after his wife had knows someone who is in died, and he said to us: ‘You need can give us their name, have given me my life back.’ and we will do our best to “Of course, we look forward help them. People can also to things getting back to sponsor someone who needs normal again, when people help.” can come and eat inside, but

Willingness to help is eviin the meantime, our main dent from all ages, points challenge is to keep the out Lyn Farrugia, and one is prices as reasonable as we never too young. “A gentlecan, and still pay the bills. man recently stopped in and We always want to be the You can’t buy this coat at a told us his 9-year-old grandplace where families can aflocal department store, but it will son was collecting money ford to eat. shield your valuable evergreens for Aunt Chubby’s Project to help people. “We want to be a community center, the place where from fierce and frosty winter winds. “We have also recently added an outdoor free pantry, which Pat Boyle built for us. Volunteers fill it with donated canned soup, cereal, diapers, paper products, and other items. People can come and take what they need.” A visit to Aunt Chubby’s is a pleasure on so many levels, including savoring the friendly down-to-earth everyone can feel welcome, whatever their circumstances. I was so happy the other day when there was so much community spirit at Chubby’s, with neighbors helping neighbors. Kids getting community service hours weeding for us, friends and families enjoying meals together, and 33 lunches sent out! Everyone outside enjoying the lovely weather. Azalea, Rhododendron, Holly, Southern Magnolia, Andromeda, Laurel and similar species are especially susceptible. Frozen ground inhibits the intake of water through the roots, while icy winds accelerate the process of transpiration (the passage of water out of a plant in the form of vapor) through leaves and stems, resulting in a wilting and browning condition known as winter kill. atmosphere. Before the pandemic — and after, hopefully — the lunch counter inside “It’s a beautiful place and project, and I am so glad that it exists for everyone.” A strong root system is vital to maintaining happy, healthy, sustainable plants. Fall had its own fan club. HangFor so many, in a diffibiofertilization for your key trees ing above it is a painting cult time, Aunt Chubby’s is will encourage root growth and depicting a man enjoying showing the way life should give them additional protection a cup of coffee at the very be lived. and a head start for spring. same counter — and Farrugia reports that he is still a regular. Aunt Chubby’s is currently open Thursday through Sunday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for Winter proofing with antidesiccant spray to evergreen leaves and stems, forms

The building itself is inbreakfast and lunch, and in a colorless, wax-like film, triguing, including the addition, it recently added reducing excessive water loss but does not cut off oxygen and sunshine, therefore, there is no inhibition of plant growth. Ideally, plantings should be sprayed with an anti-desiccant material once in early to mid winter. Anti-desiccant spraying is environmentally friendly s)NNOVATIVE$ESIGN Innovative Design • Expert Installation and safe for your garden and community.

Ph 908-284-4944 Fx 908-788-5226 jgreenscapes@gmail.com License #13VH06981800 s%XPERT)NSTALLATION s0ROFESSIONAL#ARE Professional Care Call WOODWINDS (609) 924-3500 or email treecare@woodwinds.biz to schedule an assessment