Soon-to-be Berwyn Tavern owners Sean McKeon and Drew Zuccarini outside The Valley House in Malvern, their first joint venture.
The landmark Berwyn Tavern – “the BT” to locals – is changing hands after 33 years.
“We had a great run,” says Henry Fischer, who bought the business back in 1992 as a silent investor. “I had a great managing partner in Joe Rexroat for the last 19 years. We collectively decided it was time.”
The new owners – Drew Zuccarini and Sean McKeon – are old hands in the bar biz.
A Bryn Mawr native and Archbishop Carroll alum, Zuccarini worked at Smokey Joe’s for the Ryan family and then for 23 years for the Hemchers at their Great American Pubs.
McKeon, who lives in Phoenixville and also brokers real estate, met Zuccarini ten years ago when they both worked at a Great American Pub.
“The Hemchers have been great mentors to us,” McKeon says.
When they officially take ownership in the next few weeks, the BT will be the partners’ second joint venture. Their first is The Valley House Bar & Restaurant, formerly The Office, on Morehall Rd. in Malvern. With The Valley House firmly established after three years, Zuccarini and McKeon were ready for a new challenge.
In Berwyn, they insist they won’t mess with success.
“We’re not gonna go wild with changes,” says McKeon. “We want to keep that local, fun neighborhood bar feel. Good food, good bar, good people.”
The name, of course, stays.
Only “light renovations” – primarily to the restrooms and outdoor areas – are planned with minimal or no closures.
One of the village’s oldest buildings, the BT dates back to 1876 when Berwyn was known as Reeseville and the Fritz family owned the property then known as the Maurice Lewis House. In 1946, the home became a tavern operated by Mary Capriola and Luigi DiMidio, who would later open long-running Luigi’s on Paoli Pike.
As for the food, the chef is staying on. which means the Smoked Meatloaf and Italian Pork sandwiches probably aren’t going anywhere.
The biggest change by far will be the absence of Joe Rexroat. The friendly veteran manager is so associated with the BT, even regulars think he owns the place.
“Joe’s been very helpful with the transition,” McKeon says, but he’ll move on when the deal closes.
Rexroat’s health may have figured into the decision to part ways. Four years ago, he suffered a massive heart attack at age 54 and couldn’t return to work for the better part of year. “Everyone knows what a grind managing a business like this can be,” Fischer observes.
Another factor: Fischer now spends most of his time in Jupiter, Florida – although he does maintain a home in Villanova.
At one time, his hospitality portfolio included the Muddy Duck on City Line, Tara’s and the Ford Street Tavern (now Gypsy Saloon) in Conshohocken, and the historic Wheel Pump Inn near Flourtown.
His last bar standing is the BT. Fischer tells us he never expected to hold onto it all these years.
“When Home Depot came around in the 90s – a few years after I bought the BT – I thought it would immediately put Fritz Lumber out of business and we’d be gone.”
Fischer was living in Gladwyne at the time. “Back then, Berwyn was considered far out west but, lo and behold, the business ended up doing really well. I’m sure the new owners will do really well, too. It just needs some updating, some new blood.”
When word of the deal started circulating, Valley House and BT customers and “people we don’t even know – people from all walks of life started coming up to congratulate us,” McKeon says.
“We’re really excited,” adds Zuccarini. “We’ve wanted to expand and the BT is such a great opportunity. We can’t wait to get started.”
Thanks for the news Caroline.