Robert Revives the Jersey Shore on Holiday: Impossible 2
Emile Wamsteker, 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.
"It's our biggest mission ever: two locations, three days, $50,000," Robert Irvine said of what he was about to take on in Ship Bottom, Long Island Beach, N.J. Just one year ago, that community was devastated — along with so many others along the Eastern Seaboard — when Hurricane Sandy smashed on shore with powerful winds and rain, plus multiple-feet-high storm surges. In the spirit of the season and true to Robert's selflessness, the Restaurant: Impossible host teamed up with Lexus for Holiday: Impossible 2 to give two Ship Bottom businesses that were nearly decimated by the storm a second chance to thrive. With the help of Lexus' generous donation of extra time and an increased budget, plus the commitment of his design and construction teams from Restaurant: Impossible, Robert transformed LBI Pancake House and Ship Bottom Volunteer Fire Company, both once waterlogged from the storm and in dire need of updates if they were to have any chance at lasting futures.
While it's rare for Robert to undertake a project of this magnitude, it's no surprise that he didn't let the feat stop him from completing it on time and with the very best results. After just a few days of work, he reopened LBI Pancake House for owners Bill and Carole Waldron as a vibrant, welcoming eatery worthy of the neighborhood, and he introduced a revitalized kitchen and lounge area at Ship Bottom Volunteer Fire Company President Dan English and Fire Chief Wade Bradley, as well as the company's 30 members. Read on below to hear from Carole and Dan, find out how their locations are doing today and see behind-the-scenes photos.
Emile Wamsteker, 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.
Carole says of the all-new LBI Pancake House: "Bill and I absolutely love the new design, the color [and] the brightness of the restaurant. My favorite is the mosaic wall." She notes that, in particular, customers "are thrilled the booths are back, plus they love the color combination" of the redone interior.
Given that this time of year is the off-season at the Shore, Bill and Carole haven't begun serving lunch yet at LBI Pancake House, but Carole explains, "We love the beach-to-go idea and are most anxious to advertise and execute it next season." Looking back on the transformation, Carole says, "Robert gave and exhibited such enthusiasm for the restaurant business and showed us that change is good." She adds, "His ideas were magnificent and we are excited to follow them out."
Emile Wamsteker, 2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.
At the fire company, "Everyone is just loving the new spaces," according to Dan. He also says that the "membership is getting better."
The team at the firehouse is taking full advantage of the updates, Dan says. "We have noticed that a lot more people are hanging out upstairs in the lounge .… Nobody ever hung out up there before." He explains: "Now we are holding our monthly meetings downstairs in the hall. Once [the] meeting is over we go straight upstairs to the Robert Irvine lounge … and cook and just hang out! Watching TV, playing pool, shuffleboard."
Dan offered sincere thanks to everyone who made the transformation possible, saying, "Words cannot express enough what it means to the members of the fire company. You have changed the whole morale and atmosphere here."