By Kathy Arlt, contributing writer Blogfinger.net (2011.) Reposted 2018 and 2024.
And read Charles Layton’s brilliant article about a Sampler Inn in decline.
Undated photo of lines outside the Sampler. It was a cafeteria; Eileen and I ate there once–it was wonderful! It was demolished in 2009.
Kathy Arlt: Okay, I’ll admit it: I’ve been in Ocean Grove for so long that I can remember when The Sampler Inn cafeteria was still serving up three meals a day. I often took my houseguests there for breakfast, not just for the oatmeal and baked apples, but also for the samplers on the dining room walls.
I wonder what happened to all those samplers…but I know what happened to The Sampler Inn. It was demolished.
Of course, it didn’t look like this when the decision was made to tear it down. By then it had broken windows and holes in the porch floor; the flower boxes were long gone; the awnings, railings and signage had been stripped away. Surprisingly, however, it also didn’t look like this when it was built. In fact, it looked very different. There was no fourth floor or single-story side extension, and the roof wasn’t flat. The windows had shutters, the porch railings were wood, and there was lots of gingerbread. Then it was a hotel called “The Aldine,” and here’s what it looked like:
The Aldine wasn’t open very long before the owners of Lawrence House took it over, renamed it “The Lawrence” and started remodeling. Based on advertisements in the 1916 editions of the Ocean Grove Times, we know we can definitely thank them (or not) for the side extension, and perhaps for the addition of a fourth floor, too. But maybe this was the change the owners of “The Sampler Inn” boasted about in this 1923 ad:
LAWRENCE LEBO AND HER LITTLE BIG BAND: From her album “Don’t Call Me Larry.” (music added 2018)
Wendy F
I would go o the Sampler with my mother, nana and my brother back in the 60’s. My great grandmother, Ella would rent a room for the summers. We had such a wonderful time. I took my mom back there years ago and it was already demolished. Very sad time for her. I do have a postcard of my uncle from 1939. Will stay I. The family.
What about the Sampler’s stuffed pepper recipe- I just turned 47 last wk & I’ve been trying to find some that are just as good. I went to the sampler since the womb through college- I have a print of it in my daughters room.
Happy memories at the Sampler Inn. I brought my 3 Grandsons there, who were about 8 and 9 years old. I let them have their own tray and buy whatever they wanted….There wasn’t a square inch left on the tray when they were finished. They bought one of each item….especially the desserts!!!
Love the sampler inn.
My name is Bill. I worked as a busboy for Mr. Anderson in summers of 1947 thru 1951. Had the time of my life . Mr. Anderson was a great fellow to work for.. In that I came from a very subdued childhood, I think I kinda grew up at the Sampler. At eighty eight years of age, I still remember some of the great times and great people. Several attended the University of Kentucky with me.
Bill Williamson
Worked there in the mid-1970s. Food was fresh and the owners took pride in what they did.
The mac and cheese at the Sampler Inn was to die for. I have tried to copy it for years and have failed.
I remember OG from my childhood; coming to the Sampler then was a treat. Years later I would return with my dad—-to remember as much as to eat. My mother had passed, and this was still a connection we had to her and to our past.
I’m sorry that way of life is gone. We may have progress, but I miss the old shore…the Sampler Inn tops that list.
I loved their cornbread (vintage 2001 or so). Anyone have that recipe? I ate at the Sampler only a few times, but I loved that airy room with the sweet white chairs, and, of course, the samplers on the walls.
So the samplers disappeared into the Koplitz holdings? No one will ever see that collection again.
Yes please, share recipes!
Tom & Cathy:
Nice to read this amplification. Perhaps you could share those recipes with Ted and the rest of us!
As owners of the Sampler from 1987-1997 when the Inn still served a thousand or more meals daily, we can shed a bit of light into the past. Mrs. Newberry, the founder of the Sampler, served the public until 1947, when she sold to her baker Mr. Anderson. In 1957, Mr. Anderson sold the property to Steve Pappayliou and Bill Apostolos, who added the side addition in 1965 and operated the Inn until we purchased the property in 1987. We were there until 1997. The Samplers on the wall remained intact and many more were added through all of those years. When we sold in 1997, we sold the property with all of the Samplers intact. Just to clarify Ken’s comment, the disappearance of the Samplers occurred after our watch. Ted, one of these days I’ll send you some Lamb Shanks and Macaroni and Cheese!
Tom and Cathy Rechlin
their lamb shanks and macroni and cheese was to die for
Subsequent owners removed them as the Sampler changed hands. I was told some were quite valuable.
I too wonder what became of the samplers that adorned the walls. I really do miss the Sampler. It was the last remaining cafeteria style restaurants in town. It was from a different era. I recall how they had defined times for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. How very different from today, when you can get breakfast at dinnertime. It was a place to meet both old and new friends. Decades ago folks would line up to get in. Rooms upstairs were cheap. Up until the late 90’s one could rent a room for the night for just $25 even in the summer. Yes indeed, I really do miss the Sampler.
Very interesting to trace the transition of this historic Inn. Thanks again for another article on our beloved town.