After 25 years, Short Hills Restaurant & Deli suddenly closes
CHERRY HILL - The Short Hills Restaurant & Deli, a South Jersey dining destination for 25 years, has closed abruptly.
The Evesham Road business, which survived two fires and endured a pandemic, shut down Tuesday, according to a Facebook message posted earlier that day by owner Jerry Kaplan.
"This past year and a half has posed many challenges," Kaplan wrote in a farewell message.
"The pandemic combined with my health and forthcoming retirement has led me to make this decision — one that is the most difficult of my life," he said.
"The beautiful memories are countless," wrote Kaplan, who said his family and staff "cannot express our appreciation for your amazing support over the years."
Kaplan's announcement drew a flood of comments from patrons who shared memories, expressed sadness and offered congratulations.
"I will really miss your restaurant," wrote Debra Bell of Voorhees. "It's always my go to place for brunch and when people come in from out of town."
Many customers expressed dismay, too, at the loss of favorite dishes like Short Hills' matzo ball soup, egg salad on rye, and corned beef specials.
"I'm so sorry you're closing!" wrote Sharon Lubetkin Gosizk of Somerdale. "Where will I get my chicken noodle soup when I don't feel good? You will be missed!"
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The deli previously overcame several disasters while building a devoted following at the Short Hills Towne Center, a multi-building complex on the Cherry Hill-Voorhees border.
A predawn fire heavily damaged the second floor of the restaurant's building in July 2016.
The flames did not reach the ground-floor restaurant, but the deli suffered extensive damage from smoke, water and mold after the two-alarm blaze. It reopened in May 2017 when Kaplan was 78.
A fire previously closed the deli for much of 2008. Authorities blamed that blaze on an improperly discarded cigarette that started a fire in a trash enclosure and spread to a natural gas line.
A two-alarm fire in March 2020 destroyed a Starbucks and other stores at the shopping center, but did not affect the deli's building.
Classic Cake, a bakery displaced by the 2020 fire, moved its business to Kaplan's restaurant after that fire.
The bakery will continue to operate at the restaurant's former site, Classic Cake noted in a post at its Facebook page. Classic Cake also acknowledged its neighbor's hospitality, saying "We will always appreciate the owners for their willingness to lend a hand."
In one of its final acts, the Short Hills restaurant updated its Facebook photo. It now shows a message that reads: "Permanently closed. Thank you for 25 years!"
Jim Walsh covers public safety, economic development and other beats for the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal.
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This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Short Hills Restaurant & Deli in Cherry Hill NJ closes
