The Last Call for Harry: Why a Cape May Legend Is Choosing Grandkids Over Grille

For half a century, Harry's Ocean Bar & Grille has stood as more than just a landmark on Cape May's vibrant landscape; it’s been a beating heart, a genuine "Cheers" where everyone truly knew your name. And honestly, for anyone who’s ever pulled up a stool there, this news might just sting a little. Harry Howarth, the man, the myth, the legend behind it all, is stepping away.

But here’s the thing, and it’s a beautiful thing, really: he's not stepping away for the usual reasons, not for some cold, calculated corporate buyout. Oh no, Harry's reason is as warm and inviting as a summer evening on the Jersey Shore itself. He's choosing family, choosing precious, irreplaceable time with his six beloved grandchildren and his wife, Carol. You could say, for once, life truly came before business.

Think about that for a moment: fifty years. Five decades of sunrises over the Atlantic, countless shared stories, maybe even a few heartbreaks and triumphs witnessed from behind that very bar. Harry bought the place way back in 1975, and in truth, it became more than just a business; it was a living extension of him, a place built on the simple, yet profound, philosophy he lived by: "Work hard and be fair to people." A straightforward motto, wouldn’t you agree? Yet, it’s one that clearly resonated, creating a loyal following, generation after generation.

And yes, the anecdotes? They’re plentiful. Ask Harry what his favorite memory is, and he doesn’t point to a single big event or a famous face. Not really. Instead, he’ll tell you, with that characteristic twinkle, it’s "just seeing all the different people." Because that’s what it was, wasn't it? A mosaic of lives, intertwined, even if just for an evening, within those very walls.

His journey to becoming a Cape May fixture wasn't some overnight success story, either. Far from it. This man, he started young, genuinely young, at his father's liquor store when he was just 13. And by 21, he owned his own place, a liquor store, then a package goods store, and then, eventually, Harry's. You see, he built this — brick by brick, smile by smile, pour by pour.

So, who’s taking the reins of this cherished institution? Well, it’s a family affair of a different kind. The third generation of the Zonies family, the very folks behind Icona Resorts, are the new stewards. And for a bit, Harry will stick around, acting as a consultant, a guiding hand, if you will, ensuring that the spirit of Harry’s, that unique Cape May charm, remains perfectly intact.

But let's be clear, because Harry himself wants us to know: he's not exactly retiring. "Slowing down" is the phrase he prefers. And honestly, after half a century of dedication, of being the heart and soul of a community hub, who could blame him for wanting to ease off the accelerator just a little? It’s a transition, a beautiful, hard-earned pivot towards the joys of family life, away from the daily hustle and bustle. And for that, we raise a glass, not in farewell, but in celebration of a life well-lived, and a legacy truly cherished.