By Sara Martino

All aboard! This phrase from the past comes to mind as you view the Dining Car Depot from across the train tracks. You can imagine the passengers waiting to depart for their destinations….Philadelphia, Atlantic City, etc. Today, the would-be passengers are traveling inside the depot to enjoy breakfast and lunch.

Owner Mustafa Ozturk has remodeled the depot since taking over two years ago. He previously ran the Family Fireside Restaurant in Pitman. Pictures of old train stations and railroad cars line the freshly painted walls. Diners can even enjoy railroad scenes on the table covers as they eat their meals.

Breakfast specials served Monday through Friday from 7 to 11am are listed on the board and greet you as you enter. Friendly waitresses serve you the eggs, home fries, short stacks of pancakes, toast, coffee or tea for only $2.99 (at the present time). Daily omelet specials are featured also. There is always at least one daily special. Come in and also order and enjoy chicken pot pie, meat loaf, beef stew, home-made soup, sandwiches, platters, and other favorites.

Nine employees, including the boss, work at the establishment. \”Colleen came with the building when I bought it,\” kidded Mustafa. Colleen has been working at the Depot for ten years. Jennie, a new waitress working for the last two weeks, greets the customers with a huge smile and posed for a behind the counter picture with the boss.

\”We renovated the depot and everything was purchased brand new. We want to be the cleanest place in Gloucester City serving the best food,\’ Mustafa said.

\”In the future we eventually will return to serving late dinners. We are making plans to fix up the upstairs area by either opening the space up for more dining or perhaps even living space\”, Mustafa said. He said he is especially grateful to the City and to the UEZ program. \”With their assistance, I was able to have a broken window replaced and obtained a new sign,\’ he said.

The atmosphere at the dining Car Depot is very friendly. \”We enjoy our customers and know most of them by name,\” Mustafa said. Smiling customers, Angelo Abbatelli and Jimmy Megee readily agreed to being photographed as they were enjoying their early morning meal.

Business association meetings are held at the depot. The depot can accommodate those wishing to have a birthday party, a wedding or baby shower or any small celebration. There is plenty of parking on the side of the building and the public parking lot is available also.

Local organizations and churches receive support from the depot. An Easter Egg Hunt will be held at the location on Saturday, March 22 at 3 pm, rain or shine.

Mustafa and his wife Manuela are expecting a new baby in approximately three weeks. \”We enjoy having the business and our intention is to continue to provide good food and good service to our patrons,\’ he said.

Make a \”passenger stop\” at the Dining Car Depot located at 700 Monmouth Street and enjoy the \”trip\”. Open daily from 7 am to 4 pm. You may call 856-742-0770 for information.

Related: Buy Local/UEZ

By Bill Cleary 

It is official!  

The City of Gloucester City is the proud owner of a 75-foot-long steel hull schooner built in 1995. The sailing vessel has three sails, and a 20 foot beam. It can carry 47 passengers along with three crew members for a total capacity of 50.  

The sail boat was sold at an auction held earlier this week at a boat yard in Greenwich. The cost was $206,000 and it is appraised at $385,000. The money to purchase the boat came from the UDAG fund, which stipulates all monies are to be used for economic development.  

No tax dollars were used to purchase the vessel. The vessel will be docked at the former Coast Guard Base pier, King Street and the Delaware River.  

Mayor William James made the announcement today, Friday.  

The mayor said, \”The City is going to use the sailboat as a teaching tool for high school students. A similar program is in place across the river. Now in its 14^th year it is called Philadelphia Sail. We are also looking into chartering the boat to the public.\”  

\”We are soliciting business sponsorships and other government agencies to get involved with the venture. The City is in contact with the schooners former captain. We will be speaking with him regarding operating the charters. And there are several city residents with maritime expertise who have already expressed their desire to help with the enterprise.  

\”We have set a tentative date to bring the vessel to the City on Saturday, July 5. More information will be released in the weeks to come.  

\”Finally after all these years there are positive improvements happening on our riverfront. This sailboat is just one link in the chain that we are putting in place for this summer and the future.  

\”At 4 PM today the deadline for those interested in bidding on operating a tent canopy restaurant on the pier are due. Three RFP have been received. Details of that plan along with the name of the successful bidder will be released next week.  

\”And as you know the Flagship Charters of Philadelphia is now docked at the former Coast Guard Base.\” For more about the ship http://www.flagshipcharters.net

  The Philadelphia City Sail\’s website states, \”the programming creates adventure, exploration and academic opportunities that make the Delaware River come to life as a real world class room .

Through sailing activities, Philadelphia youth gain an understanding of science, mathematics, physics, biology, geography, history, and even job opportunities in maritime commerce and the surrounding Port community. The participants learn how to lead with confidence and gain self esteem as they work as part of a team on our schooner, the North Wind.\”

To read more about the Philadelphia City Sail program http://www.citysail.org/ 

 

Gloucester Catholic faced Holy Spirit the third seed in the Non-Public A South high school baseball semi-finals this afternoon in Atlantic City winning the game by a score of 9-3

The Rams’ Rob Wilgus hit a three run homerun and Steve Bruno had two doubles.

Gloucester Catholic’s freshman Casey Brown pitched five strong innings before he was relieved by Mike Garland

The Rams will play for the state title on Tuesday against opponent unknown at this time.

source Bruce Darrow

 

HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL Semi-Finals

Gloucester Catholic Girls played Notre Dame this afternoon in Gloucester City. Notre Dame won by a score of 8-2.

During the game the home plate umpire suffered a heart attack and was rushed to the hospital. . At this time her condition is not known.

source Bruce Darrow