With Restaurant Opening, Time to Kick-It in the ‘Styx’

Ever since her son’s little league days, Sandra Davieau has wanted to own a food establishment. While working at the snack shack for the youth baseball league, called Fifth Base, she yearned to be in command of a bustling, successful eatery.

Well this summer, that vision is being fulfilled, as The River Styx Grill, located on the water near the River Styx Bridge on Lake Hopatcong, has opened to the public. 

“We’re trying to make this restaurant a family style one, with entertainment, and an environment for kids – though we’re looking into that,” said Davieau, the owner.

Seeking to piece together a menu with prices that rival or out-maneuver other waterfront restaurants, Davieau and her husband John have been excited with the entire idea from its onset.

Finding a Convenient Location

After searching for suitable real estate for a bit, the River Styx location became appealing to the Davieaus after John came across the building and came back to share the idea with the family.

After some extensive persuasion from their children (including a 34-year old daughter, and sons who are 27 and 21), they purchased the property.

But with a fairly battered building, there would need to be extensive modifications made before it could open.  

“It actually took my husband John a year and a half to work on the building to get it ready,” said Davieau.

The only other notable setback that they endured during the start-up process was a Certificate of Occupancy (C.O.) issue with the Sussex County Board of Health. It took some time to obtain, and required a last minute inspection.

But with the support of the family, and a powerful dream, the restaurant slowly emerged into the framework of a potentially triumphant business in a previously forgotten area.

By Memorial Day, they had received the C.O. and it soon opened for the summer rush. Now, boaters and residents from all over make the trip to the River Styx section of the four square-mile lake.

“It was a little rough in the beginning, but that’s only natural for new businesses -- you have to work the kinks out. I think we’re 95-percent changed already,” she added. “And the business is doing good.”

Business Features

Located right on the water, the rather large building (3,000 square foot and two floors) has a deck with picnic tables, a Tiki bar, jukebox, Friday karaoke, a large bar with plenty of beers on draft, 15 televisions powered on, and a competitively-filled schedule for live acoustic performances.

For the month of August, the Grill plans to bring in Andy from Naked Twister on the first, Carl and Darren from Six Star Nation on the third, an acoustic female guitarist on the sixth, and ‘Warren and Harry’ on the tenth.

“This will be the first time having them come out,” said Davieau. “I hope we get a great following.”

Davieau, who also has 8 and 14-year old grandchildren (and is due to have another in the coming weeks), strongly believes in a smoothly operated, family-run establishment. Each one of her children works at the restaurant in some capacity, along with her grandchildren whom happily accept the summer work.

Though many families may be able to have confidence in a prosperous operation, the point at which the rubber meets the road, or where the lean beef hits the char broil, is the delectable food.

“I like everything on the menu,” confessed Davieau. “But the burgers are really good. We also have a tomato mozzarella salad that’s delicious”

River Styx Abandonment

The Grill’s location now seems ideal to people of all sorts, from tourists and local boaters to nearby residents. However, the spot has not always been a thriving locale.

Since the early 2000s, the River Styx area of the lake has been abandoned, and building lots have sat empty, with no entrepreneurs coming forward to bring life back to the rapidly deteriorating properties.

“Yes, the area’s been abandoned for a couple of years,” said Davieau. “But people are loving it here…and the kinks are working themselves out.”

“Our customers love it, and wish us the best of luck,” she added. “We’ve had many people return back after eating here, and a bunch of regulars. I definitely think the area is coming back to life and I hope everyone coming here enjoys themselves.”

Moving forward, River Styx plans to introduce a new all-around menu and additionally, a new dessert menu in the coming weeks. And with 15 boat slips, accessibility is not an issue…so by land or by water, head on down!