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The More Things Change, the More They Remain the Same
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| Howard, Sr. at the Sam Vansant’s Pier |
When householders and business people place every confidence in a plumbing and heating service over a period of years, it must be the dependable kind. BARTH has never "let down" a customer in any branch of his many-sided services for he has a deep interest in Sea Isle City and its people. The willingness to work long hours has won many new friends for his enterprise. BARTH has placed his entire experience and knowledge of the business at the command of his patrons. When new products and services appear on the market, he will be among the first to offer them. What you just read is from a newspaper article written about BARTH Plumbing and Heating in 1946. Sounds like it could have been written today.
The BARTH story started in the mid-1920's when Howard, Sr. and his brother, Harry, formed a plumbing and heating business and hardware store in the Philadelphia area. Shortly thereafter, they expanded into building spec homes, growing steadily over the next few years. In 1929 everything was lost when the market crashed. Harry stayed in Philadelphia, while Howard relocated to the Jersey Shore. That's where his mother, Lizzy owned and operated a seafood restaurant at 86th Street on the bay in Townsend's Inlet. This seemed like a good place to start again, so in 1932 Howard, Sr. began his plumbing business out of the back of his truck using a bunk house as his shop. A few years later, he was doing well and had hired several plumbers and moved the operation to a shop he built behind the home he purchased in Sea Isle City with his wife Marguerite.
With the war calling, most of BARTH's employees left to serve in World War II in 1941. After peace was restored around the world, BARTH continued to grow, the only thing getting in BARTH's way was Mother Nature. In 1944, 1950 and 1962, major storms devastated the Jersey Shore causing destruction everywhere. BARTH was not spared. Vehicles, equipment and materials were lost or damaged. As always, BARTH not only survived, but flourished.
In 1966, Howard's oldest son Howard, joined BARTH Plumbing after serving in the United States Air Force. He took over the operation completely a few years later. He constructed a building and moved the business in 1974 to its present location on 42nd Street and Central Avenue. Over the next few decades, the towns of Sea Isle City, Avalon and Stone Harbor experienced unprecedented growth and so did the business. Because of its reputation, loyal customer base and quality employees, BARTH Plumbing caught the attention of a suitor. In 2000 BARTH became part of the Hutchinson Family of Companies.
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| Tom Hutchinson and Howard Barth |
With 25 years in the industry, Tom Hutchinson joined Howard and the dedicated Barth team to continue supplying the products and services customers came to expect.
The Hutchinson family is no strangers to Sea Isle City, they have been vacationing there since the early 1950's. When the opportunity arose to become part of the business community and work with fine employees and loyal customers it was a dream come true. In 2003, Howard retired from the business but stays in touch. Tom and everyone at Barth wouldn't have it any other way.
We plan on serving all of you for another 75 years creating many more shore memories.
Because you, our valued customer makes all of this possible. "Thank You"
