New Owner For North Wall Mainstay

For this installment of Spotlight On Wall we've gone old and new. Stewart's Root Beer has sat at the top of the Collingswood Circle for more than 20 years. But new owner Stephanie Francolla has recently taken the reins of the North Wall Mainstay. We caught up with her for a short talk about burgers and root beer.

Stewart’s Root Beer, as a franchise, has been around quite some
time, right? People think of another drive-in restaurant in town as
being the oldest, but hasn’t Stewart’s been around longer? Tell us
about the history, if you could.

Yes, Stewarts Root Beer was actually founded in 1924 in Mansfield, Ohio. You can check out all the cool franchise info at www.Stewartsrestaurantsinc.com

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Business/Organization Name: Stewart’s Root Beer
How Long In Wall Location: 20-plus years.
Owner: Stephanie Francolla
Address: 5012 Routes 33/34
Hours: Mon 11-4; Tue-Fri 11-5; Sat 11-6; Sun 11-5. Hours will extend as the weather heats up.
Phone: 732-919-0014
Email: Stephfrancolla@gmail.com
Facebook: Stewarts in Wall

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The restaurant is known for its root beer. Is there a difference between the bottled Stewart's and the experience of getting it right from the source, so to speak?

I believe our Stewarts Root Beer on tap is the best. It's hard to bottle that goodness. The bottles are great but in a nice frosty mug on a hot summer day, there’s nothing better! 

Tell us about your location, up there way in the north of town.
What’s the appeal of that neighborhood?

Our location is very close the historic Collingswood Auction, a very cool my mom used to take me to as a kid! Plus you don’t have to fight the beach traffic!

If Bruce Springsteen, or some other local dignitary, was coming in
to your restaurant, what would you make him for lunch? In other words, give us your best recommendation from among your fare and why you chose those items.

OOOOHHH that’s a tough one!!!! Our Thumann’s hotdogs of course are the best but I would have to say a nice juicy 8oz Bacon Cheeseburger. We have the freshest burgers straight from the butcher. They are not frozen and they are just so delicious. Of course I would pair that with some cheese fries and a Stewarts Root Beer Ice Cream Float in a frosty mug!

What is it about this community that made you want to invest so
much to stay in it? 

Well, I bought this Stewart’s last April. I worked as a waitress and a cook for the former owners for 15 years. I love the neighborhood and this Stewart’s. I plan on being here for a long time so this can be a place my kids can work take over when they’re ready.