New Owners Take Over The Pop Shop In Collingswood

COLLINGSWOOD, NJ — One of South Jersey’s most famous children’s restaurants is under new ownership.

The Pop Shop, at 729 Haddon Avenue in Collingswood, changed hands Tuesday night, the previous owners announced on the restaurant’s Facebook page. The Pop Shop is closed through Sept. 11 for renovations.

Gary and Joanne Gardner, who operate a Pop Shop in Medford, are the new owners, according to the Courier Post. The value of the sale has not been made public.

“As we flip our last Betty, we reflect that the food was always just a part of The Pop Shop story. It’s so much more than that,” the previous owners said in the post. “All of you always knew that, you got it, and we can’t thank you enough for coming along for our ride for so many years.”

The story was detailed in a letter that was posted online. Stink Fisher and Connie Correia opened the restaurant on Sept. 20, 2005.

“Connie and I were told how hard the restaurant business was; how so many had failed within their first year and that the bench mark for a successful concept was passing the 3-year mark …well we did that …almost 5 times over,” Fisher wrote.

It became the place to go for children’s birthday parties or just a fun night out with the family. Along the way, people started to take notice. The Pop Shop was named Best of NJ, Best fo SJ, Best of Philly, Best Kid’s Menu in America numerous times and Nickelodeon’s Best Family Restaurant.

“Actually, we’ve been named many things over many years, and we are beyond thankful for all of it,” Fisher wrote. “And in between we just about Beat Bobby Flay on Food Network and also had another Food Network show about our inception to opening called Recipe For Success. The last 14 years have been nothing short of a crazy roller coaster ride with amazing turns, drops, curves, climbs and amazing thrills. Through it all, I think the thing that sticks out the most is the lives we touched. There isn’t a day that goes by where I am not approached by someone on the street or at the gym or at a red light where I am told of happy Pop Shop memories, the love for our food …for what we do, and most importantly for being there for the community at large.”

They fulfilled their goal of creating something that had longevity, created job opportunities and gave back to the community.

“Back in the day, Connie and I had always flirted with opening a restaurant that serviced not only adults that loved good comfort food but also catered to kids and their needs,” Fisher wrote. “We looked all over and couldn’t find one that truly had both elements.”

They loved living in Collingswood, but there were no restaurants they could bring their 2-and-a-half-year-old child to in the borough, Fisher wrote. So they decided to open one themselves in 2004.

“Hell, if we didn’t do it then someone else eventually would, and we would have to drive by it every day and say that could have been us,” Fisher wrote. “We were young(er) and had no idea what it would take to get our vision to fruition, so we both just agreed that we would, could pushing upwards and onwards until someone said stop. No one did. So while ownership may be changing hands after 14 years, Connie and I can drive down good ol’ 561 and look at 729 Haddon Ave and say nope, we did it, that’s our mark.”

In his letter, Fisher details all the work that went in to opening The Pop Shop on Sept. 20, 2005.

“When we wanted and old fashioned 1940’s - 1950’s vibe and bid on a fully outfitted counter, stools, backsplash and candy counter (our hostess counter today) and won it for 20% of what we had budgeted for it I thought …we might have a chance,” Fisher wrote. “When the Food Network started following us around as we built our baby and I was shooting Invincible I thought …this just might work.”

The opening almost didn’t happen, thanks to a gas meter that blew late the night before. PSE&G came through for them, and they opened on time. But no one came in, Fisher wrote.

“For over an hour Connie and I stood by the front door and waited for it to open. Nothing,” Fisher wrote. “And then it happened …our first customers had arrived. And then another one. And another one. And then total chaos, sometimes controlled, sometimes not, happened for the next 14 years.”

He wrote about the passion it took to keep things going. It was a great run, but the time has come to move on, he wrote.

“We have always known that this day would eventually come and it has, not without its fair share of tears and fears (not the band),” Fisher wrote. “We also knew from the get go that the food was always just part of The Pop Shop story, it’s so much more than that. All of you always knew that, you got it, and we can’t thank you enough for coming along for our ride, for believing in us, and enjoying what our passion created for so many years. Best of luck to the new owners. May they too find the success that we have been so lucky to share.”

Correia will remain with The Pop Shop, handling their public relations and marketing. Fisher and his wife, Jessica Floyd, will be opening Fox and Fish Catering. And the Pop Shop will continue to stand on the corner of Haddon Avenue as it has for the last 14 years.