Local Jersey Shore musician Tim McLoone opened his first
restaurant, McLoone's Rum Runner, overlooking the Shrewsbury
River in Sea Bright, New Jersey in 1987. He did it as much
to carve his niche as a restaurateur as well as to establish
a place for him and his musician friends to perform. And
perform they have, with such notables as friends Bruce
Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Southside Johnny, Bob Bandiera,
as well as his own band, Tim McLoone and The Shirleys,
making appearances over the years on the McLoone's stage.
It was also in that building that Tim's idea, Holiday
Express, was born in 1993. Holiday Express is an all
volunteer philanthropic group of over 100 professional
musicians and hundreds of other volunteers who create free
Holiday events for 50 organizations who are the most needy
between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve each year. Along with
those events, Holiday Express has also achieved national
acclaim from their appearances on the Rockefeller Center
Tree Lightings and the "Today Show" on NBC-TV, as well as
its trip to the Gulf after Hurricane Katrina.
Eventually, Tim felt it was time to begin to expand his
restaurant operations and opened the first McLoone's Pier
House on the beach in the redeveloping city of Long Branch,
New Jersey. It was at this time that the McLoone's concept
of "upscale dining for the entire family" was born. The
tremendous success of that seaside location led to yet
another venture as McLoone's Asbury Grille and Tim McLoone's
Supper Club opened on the beach in yet another re-emerging
city, Asbury Park, in 2008. "We are so excited to be part of
the rebirth of one of America's iconic locations," commented
Tim.
McLoone's brand also spread to Woodbridge, New Jersey in
a completely different venture, an off-track wagering
facility in partnership with the state. This was something
of a natural partnership for Tim as his family had been
involved in horseracing for decades and, in fact, his father
had at one time headed both Freehold Raceway in New Jersey
as well as the now-defunct Bowie Racecourse in Maryland.
The opening of McLoone's Pier House in National Harbor
was the McLoone family's first venture outside of New Jersey
and has been an exciting experience to date. The spectacular
views of the Potomac were a natural match-up with the
company's other waterfront locations and they are pleased to
bring their vision of contemporary American cuisine to this
stunning location.
With another waterfront venture, McLoone's Boathouse,
about to open on the shores of the reservoir with the South
Mountain Recreation Complex's the McLoone's brand continues
to evolve and develop under Tim's leadership.
Stay tuned... there is always something on the horizon!
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