Heartbreaking reason Jersey Shore restaurant is closing

Another popular shore restaurant will not be opening for the 2022 Summer season.

Shore Fire Grille in Surf City will remain permanently closed.

Shore Fire Grille was a labor of love for Samantha Kohlheim and her husband, Tim. Their original location in Barnegat was opened in 2012, and later moved to Stafford Township. They opened the Surf City location in 2015.

Tim Kohlheim was killed in a car crash in 2019.

Facebook/Shore Fire Grille

Samantha closed the Stafford location shortly after his death.

The couple had two children, and Samantha says she just wants to spend more time with them.

Facebook/Shore Fire Grille

"I have decided to bring Shore Fire Grille to an end and enjoy the girls more in the summer months," Samantha wrote on Facebook, "Shore Fire has truly been my “home” for the past decade and I cherish each and every day I spent there."

Her post drew disappointment, but also understanding.

"Tim would be so proud of you for making it through these past 2.5 years," wrote one fan, "God Bless you on the rest of your journey with your beautiful girls and amazing angel above. Thank you for a decade of delicious food and amazing atmosphere. We love you."

The location on Long Beach Boulevard will not be vacant for 2022.

The Asbury Park Press reports it will become a second location for Lighthouse Deli, which currently operates out of Stafford.

Eric Scott is the senior political director and anchor for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach him at eric.scott@townsquaremedia.com

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Best coffee shops & cafes near NJ beaches

When it comes to food, New Jersey is known for many things such as pizza and pork roll. Don't count us out when it comes to coffee.

With all the hustle and bustle involved in the average New Jersey resident's day, coffee is essential. It doesn't matter whether you're living in the cities of North Jersey or the vacation spots at the shore.

In fact, as the former owner of two Jersey shore coffee houses, Coffee Dot Comedy in Sea Isle City and the Daily Grind in Ocean Grove, I know firsthand how much people at the Jersey shore love their coffee.

With respect to that, I asked my social media following where the best coffee houses at the Jersey Shore were, especially since my two places no longer exist.

Below is what they came up with. (And see this other article for their coffee shop and cafe recommendations for Central Jersey.)

Gallery Credit: Jordan Jansson