Support Soars To Save Iconic Morris Co. Restaurant Bill's Luncheonette

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — An old-school luncheonette that has served the Morris County community for over seven decades may not be closing its doors just yet.

Bill's Luncheonette, located at 455 North Road in Chester, announced last week that it would be closing for the foreseeable future, but it might now have a second chance.

A GoFundMe campaign launched to help alleviate the family-owned and operated business's financial troubles has raised nearly $30,000, supporters reported.

The funds, contributed by local patrons, are intended to help Bruce and Meaghan Button—owners of the restaurant and organizers of the fundraiser—cover necessary equipment upgrades and repairs.

"Our equipment is old, increasingly unreliable and constantly failing. A continued string of bad luck and unfortunate issues have interrupted our ability to open multiple times, and repairs are frequent and costly," the Buttons wrote. "The reality is, we are financially unable to continue without help."

Bill's Luncheonette has deep roots in the Morris County area. Originally built in 1860, the building first served as a general store and the Ironia Post Office from around 1871 until 1970. In 1941, Robert Crowley acquired the property from the Stryker family.

Eight years later, in 1949, Robert’s son, Bill Crowley, founded Bill’s Luncheonette and General Store. Since then, Bill's Luncheonette has been a beloved fixture on the border of Randolph and Chester, continuing to serve the community for 75 years.

"Bill’s has always been a place where stories are shared, friendships are made, and generations have gathered around the same lunch-counter," the Buttons wrote. "From making breakfast sandwiches and coffees to-go by candlelight during the week post-Superstorm Sandy, to masking up and serving heat-and-eat meals after indoor dining was suspended during the early stages of Covid, we have always worked hard to be resourceful and to be open for our community."

The fundraiser, which has raised $26,856 over the past two days, will be used for several crucial upgrades, the Buttons said. These include replacing the griddle and broiler, repairing the oven, fully replacing the walk-in refrigeration unit, updating the fire suppression systems, and replacing the road sign that was knocked down in February.

The Buttons shared that their ultimate goal is to reopen Bill’s Luncheonette with a focus on ensuring the business's sustainability and long-term success.

"It is so amazing to have the support of our community behind us, and while a lot still has to “go right” to make this work, we are going to do everything we can to reopen," the family wrote on social media.

To view the fundraiser, click here.