Despite Fire, Renovation Plan On Track For NJ’s Oldest Restaurant

MENDHAM, NJ — Renovations at the Garden State’s oldest restaurant, which dates back to before the Revolutionary War, will continue on schedule despite a recent fire that tore through parts of the structure this week.

Black Horse Tavern & Pub, located at 1 W. Main Street in Mendham, caught fire just before 4 a.m. Monday, according to a Facebook post from the Mendham Fire Department.

The blaze, which originated in the wall between the basement and the first floor, was extinguished by Morris County fire crews without any injuries, as the building was unoccupied at the time, officials said.

Firefighters remained on scene Monday for about two and a half hours to check for extension and extinguish any potential hot spots, according to officials.

The iconic eatery, which dates back to 1742 and is New Jersey's longest continually-running restaurant, has been closed since March 4 for a revamp of its kitchen, interior, and exterior space, with plans to reopen later this fall.

Along with the refreshed interior design that will highlight the town's history, NJBiz.com previously reported that Black Horse will also debut a new menu when it returns in the fall.

Despite the fire, the team at Black Horse Tavern & Pub stated in an update that they have no plans to alter the schedule for the planned renovations.

"We are working closely with our team to address the damage to the Tavern and continue our exciting updates," the team wrote on social media. "We cannot thank you enough for your support and we look forward to welcoming you back to a revitalized Black Horse Pub in late fall."

The eatery also expressed its appreciation for the first responders on Facebook hours after the fire, noting that it was "feeling extra patriotic" as it raised an American flag on Labor Day to honor the hard work of first responders in Mendham and surrounding towns.

"We are immensely grateful to the brave first responders who acted swiftly to contain the situation. Their prompt response helped minimize the damage that started in the basement of the building," the post read.

An investigation into the fire’s cause is ongoing, led by the Mendham Borough Police and the Mendham Fire Department.