On March 7, Rory and Aaron Philipson, owners of the Blue Bottle Café in Hopewell Borough posted the following on the restaurant’s Facebook page to “Friends, Guests, and Patrons of Blue Bottle:”
“It’s the end of an era. After 19 incredible years, The Blue Bottle Café will close its doors on Saturday, April 19. We are so grateful for all the memories we have helped create and share with each of vou. In the meantime. we will continue to take reservations through the 19th, so be sure to book a spot and enjoy a last supper with us. Thank you for 19 amazing years; we couldn’t have done it without you.”
Although the Hopewell restaurant scene has experienced many significant changes since Covid, this closing is especially poignant due to Blue Bottle’s important community history.
Previously known as a charming, sleepy town, Hopewell Borough began cultivating a reputation as a dining destination largely due to Blue Bottle’s introduction of seasonal upscale cuisine to the mix. Antimo Iovine, who has owned Antimo’s Italian Kitchen in Hopewell Boro for 27 years, said: “They raised the game and put Hopewell Boro on the map.”
BBC’s closing is not particularly surprising since Rory and Aaron, parents of 2 young children, had long signaled that they feared missing important family milestones by spendings afternoons and evenings running the restaurant. Further, BBC landlords Charlie and Lucia Huebner have spent years seeking a buyer for the property. Yet, best-laid plans coming to fruition have proven bittersweet.
Rory recalled that BBC was open for take-out only on New Year’s Eve for 2021 due to Covid restrictions: “We got out by 9 p.m. because everyone picked up by 7:30 p.m. Everything was pick it up and put it in a box so there weren’t even dishes to wash…and it was like, ‘Oh my God! This is what it’s like to have a life!’”
Their kids are now 9 and 11. Rory was unequivocal that they are the reason she wants to stop working nights. She said that Facebook sent her a photo of her eldest pulling her brother in wagon. “He had a binkie in and we had just moved to Bucks. Don’t blink or you miss it. We have already missed a lot.”
The property had been listed for years, and several deals fell through. Each time that a deal collapsed, Rory and Aaron felt like they were getting “teased with the possibility of getting to go home to be with their kids.” Fortunately, a previous buyer came back and will be closing on the building at the end of March.
“I’ve worked nights for 32 years. My entire wardrobe is black. I don’t know what I am going to do with that. But, I know, at the end of the day, we get to go home to our kids,” she said.
The next chapter for Rory and Aaron is still unfolding. Rory returned to teaching for Mercer County Community College in September 2020. The job enabled them to afford closing BBC on Tuesdays. Rory loves teaching, and may expand her role.
Aaron plans to take the summer off to unwind and consider his future options. They’d like to limit evening work and are searching for “something during the day so that we can both be home with our kids, cuz that has been like the ultimate goal for us.” They said that opportunities like Princeton University Prospect House seem ideal. As Aaron is a Culinary Institute of America-trained chef and experienced restaurateur, any place would be lucky to have him in their kitchen.
I asked what they would miss most. “Everything and everyone,” Rory cried, now unable to contain her tears, “It’s crazy. This is an extension of me and my husband and everything that we have ever known. It’s been almost 20 years. I am going to miss being a part of this. The camaraderie, the customers, and creating those special moments.”
People call and say, “We wouldn’t think of anyone else to come celebrate with! They become like your family and want to say thank you to Blue Bottle…Thank you to you! Thank you for making these the greatest 19 years of my life. I’m so proud of what we did.”
My final question was about legacy. Their answer was twofold. Namely, making good food accessible and contributing inspiration to the next generation of independent eateries.
“The only thing I care about when someone comes to BBC is that they eat. We had a table come in who paid in rolled change and shared that this is how they created their fancy dining budget. I felt so special that they picked us.
“We don’t have a wine list. We won’t try to sell you Caymas over Rodney Strong so it doesn’t matter what you do, who you know, or how much you make. That’s always been such a big part of this place, that we try not to be pretentious jerks.”
While our previous discussion focused on BBC’s customers and food, our remaining time was spent discussing the importance of their associated students, proteges, and colleagues in the restaurant industry. For example, BBC’s former sous chef became the owner of Acacia.
When Rory and Kenny Garcia of Kenny’s Meals met as judges at a pie contest hosted by MBCJ Eateries, Kenny conveyed that he was her former student.
Michelle and Barry Klein own Peasant Grill, and recalled that “18 years ago, when we came to town, Rory and Aaron were the first people to really make us feel welcome as another restaurant.”
“We have always supported each other and it’s never felt competitive,” Barry continued. “It’s sad to see them go. We’ve shopped each other’s walk-ins. Rory was my instructor when I needed to renew ServSafe (food-handling certification.) I helped them out when BBC had an issue with their grease trap. Over the years, we banded together when there were issues. Let them know we love them.”
Antimo Iovine offered similar sentiment. “During stressful times, we were there for each other and figured out how to get through it,” he said. Daniella Iovine added: “They provided moral support and were fun to be around.”
The Iovines reminisced about bartering pizza and food and getting together after restaurant closing time. “Tell them, we’ll miss our Friday get-togethers.”
As customers, friends, and colleagues share their memories and well wishes, the Philipsons wanted to return the favor by giving something back.
Since their love language is food, they shared their renown Blue Bottle Salad vinaigrette recipe. Enjoy!
