Pitman Stands Tall with Tourist

In the beginning, Pitman was created as a place to congregate.
A group of ministers met in June 1871 and chose Pitman, then a part of Mantua, as a Methodist camp meeting site, finding the location “convenient and desirable” for “a rural country resort.”

On Aug. 1, 1871, nearly 600 tents were set up in what is now Pitman Grove. Visitors traveled by train from across South Jersey for spiritual renewal and physical relaxation. The camp meeting grew in popularity with the first permanent homes constructed in 1873 and nearly 300 dwellings in place by 1880.
The Grove’s layout reflected its religious origins. From the center of a circle where the preaching was held, twelve avenues -- said to represent the Twelve Apostles -- extended outward.

Nearly 150 years later, the Gloucester County borough, with a population of about 9,000, remains a popular destination for visitors.
On the last Saturday of February, downtown Pitman was buzzing with activity. People lined up outside the illuminated Broadway Theatre to attend the opening weekend of “Beehive: The ‘60s Musical,” the latest offering in the 2018 Mainstage Season.

Parking spaces were at a premium as restaurant servers at Sweet Lula’s and Mannino’s Cucina Italiana took their customers’ dinner orders. Patrons at the Kelly Green Brewing Co. and Human Village Brewing Co. enjoyed a beer and casual conversation.

The resurgence of the business district has followed a formula that’s as simple as A-B-C:

Arts, Beer, Cuisine.
Combined with a series of special events held throughout the year, Pitman has blended civic tradition with commercial innovation to attract visitors.

“We’re going to do more events in town to benefit local businesses and generate foot traffic,” says Vanessa James, president of the Greater Pitman Chamber of Commerce. “We don’t want the benefits to be for just one day. We want to attract people and get them to come back.”

The arts have long played a central role in Pitman. Since it opened in May 1926 showing silent films and presenting vaudeville acts such as Bob Hope, and Abbott and Costello, the Broadway Theatre has served as the town’s entertainment center. Over the last 40 years, three members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Rick Nelson) performed at the Broadwa,y as have Tammy Wynette, John Hiatt, Dwight Yoakam, and Oscar-winning actress/singer Shirley Jones.

Pitman resident and businessman Peter Slack purchased the theater at a sheriff’s sale in February 2006 and oversaw its restoration. The theater’s ornate chandeliers and original pipe organ give it a classic look. Live theater, with offerings for adults and children, plus a selection of pop, country, and rock concerts are now the principal offerings. The Broadway has more than 125 dates booked for 2018.

Participatory arts also have gained a foothold in Pitman. Patti Forte opened Fahrenheit Ceramic Studio in July 2014. A colorful mural on the side of her business invites people to come in and “Ignite your creativity” and many have followed that advice“I had a passion for ceramic painting,” says Forte, a Pitman resident for 25 years who credits her daughters Avery and Janine for encouraging her to launch the business.Forte calls her business a “PYOP,” paint your own pottery. It’s art as a means to socialize and unwind with daily specials, including date nights, ladies nights and birthday parties. The Lil Art House promotes painting for the non-professionals in a relaxed, no-pressure atmosphere with staff artists providing guidance. Art classes are available for adults and children. As at Fahrenheit, BYOB events are offered for those over 21. The Pitman Gallery and Art Center features artist exhibitions with programs, workshops and events that promote contemporary artists

Pitman has seen changes on the food and beverage front. Kelly Green Brewing Co. and Human Village Brewing Co. opened for business in 2016, ending a tradition of Pitman being a dry town for more than a century. “I knew it was going to be popular but it actually exceeded my expectations,” said Justin Fleming of Kelly Green, which produces 25 types of beer. “We tripled our brewery capacity in the first nine months of operation.” Megan Myers of Human Village has seen similar success with its beer and soda production. “We draw more people from outside of town and are looking to open for more hours.” Human Village also offers live entertainment, including an open mic night on Thursdays from 7 to 10 p.m.
The Stage Right Wine Bar, located next to the Broadway Theatre, opened last October and offers a selection of wine and light snacks before and after shows.
Pitman has enjoyed a restaurant resurgence with international appeal with the Thai Burger Café and Family Mediterranean Cuisine and a pair of Mexican restaurants (Coco’s Cocina and Dia De Los Burritos). Alaura Kitchen, Chloe’s Crème Puffs, Just Cookies, and the Broadway Bakery offer tasty desserts.
Upcoming events are designed to showcase Pitman. Fourth Friday events, which run from May to November, spotlight the commercial district with live entertainment, classic car shows and horse-and-carriage rides. The 9^thannual Tour de Pitman returns on June 9 with a series of bicycle races that begin and end on Broadway. The Independence Day Parade, one of the biggest in South Jersey, features participants from Gloucester County.
Craft fairs in May and September along Broadway attract hundreds of vendors and thousands of visitors.
After a successful debut in 2017, the Pitman Potter Festival returns on Oct. 20 with a celebration of all things related to the Harry Potter series of books and films. The festival allowed local businesses, such as Human Village, to offer products with a connection to the boy wizard.
“We made four kegs of butter beer and sold out in two and a half hours,” Myers says.

The first festival provided an economic lift to Pitman. A Rowan University study found food and beverage establishments reported a 181 percent increase in business the day of the festival. Other businesses reported a 30 percent increases in sales.
Amid all the changes since its founding, the borough has moved to preserve its past. Pitman Grove was added to the New Jersey Register of Historic Places in 1976 and to the U.S. Register of Historic Places a year later.
The Pitman Historical Museum opened in a restored two-story building in the Grove in 2005 to mark the town’s 100^thanniversary as an incorporated borough. The museum offers a history of Pitman from camp meeting days to its growth in the first half of the 20^thcentury with a selection of artifacts and photographs.
There’s a feeling of optimism about the borough’s future. “With new businesses and restaurants and the Broadway Theatre, it makes Pitman a destination town,” Myers said.