Family owned businesses come together to celebrate the Sweetest Night in Pitman

By Paige Michelle Britt

Folks visiting small businesses on the main strip in Pitman, NJ. 

Photo by Paige Michelle Britt

A small town decked in pink and red, desserts around every corner, and shopping at family owned businesses. Oh, sorry. I thought we were talking about our ideal way to spend a Saturday. Well, all this and more was at the Sweetest Night in Pitman on February 10. 

The Sweetest Night in Pitman, hosted by the Greater Pitman Chamber of Commerce, included 15 participating small businesses with various vendors located in their stores, as well as special menu items at six restaurants. At participating businesses, customers were given a map of where to buy sweet treats throughout the main strip of town. They were also encouraged to get the signatures of businesses they visited in order to be entered into a raffle to win $50 in Pitman Bucks.

Keryl Hausmann, organizer of the event, Vice President of the Greater Pitman Chamber of Commerce, and owner of Words Matter bookstore explained how the Sweetest Night gives people an opportunity to get out of the house during a gray, cold month. 

“It's the best way for people that maybe are new to town to explore with low pressure,” Hausmann said. 

One of the participating businesses included Merryman’s Pub, who featured specialty Valentine’s day themed cocktails. 

Merryman’s opened in 2019, becoming the first restaurant in Pitman to serve alcohol. Their menu includes some pub classics like burgers and sandwiches, and even some vegetarian options. 

Throughout the year they host live music and seasonal events. Merryman’s general manager Peggy Grossmick, 61, talked about some of the events the restaurant puts on. 

“I love the dinner with the Grinch for the kids at Christmas time. I love Christmas time in Pitman. It's so beautiful. But I just enjoy the kids, seeing their faces so happy,” Grossmick said. 

Grossmick added, “On Monday and Tuesday we are doing Mommy and Me for Valentine's Day and Daddy and Me the next day.” 

Merryman’s emphasizes the importance of a cozy, welcoming atmosphere with their dark wood interior and low lighting. Most of all, they want customers to feel at home. 

“If my staff doesn't feel like they're at home, the customers are never going to feel like they're at home. So it starts at the top. I have to come in and I have to set the mood,” Grossmick said. 

This Stars Hollow-esque event wouldn’t have been possible without the teamwork of the many family owned businesses that make up Pitman. For those unaware, Stars Hollow is the coziest of cozy and sweetest of sweet fictional small town from the 2000s show Gilmore Girls. And my personal dream place to live.

“I think we're all really close. We really try to do a lot. So it's a lot of juggling, but we all understand, you know, what it takes to be behind the counter or in the restaurants and stuff. And we're always open to working together because some events are driven by a store and the other stores join in or they're from the Chamber. We're all supportive of one another,” Hausmann said.