Three Montgomery County restaurateurs are taking their talents to the Jersey Shore once more, writes Emma Dooling for The Philadelphia Business Journal.
Gent Mema, Orbelin Bitraj, and Joshua Friedberg have purchased the Salty Mermaid Bar & Grille in North Wildwood for $2.45 million. This marks their second Shore acquisition in just three months. The trio already operates five restaurants across Montgomery and Delaware counties, including Versante in Schwenksville, The Library in Collegeville, and Il Granaio in Phoenixville.
The 4,000-square-foot Salty Mermaid seats up to 200 guests indoors and outdoors. It will reopen in mid-April with a refreshed menu modeled after The Library’s eclectic offerings. The partners plan to keep the restaurant’s name and existing layout intact.
Just a mile away, the group is also transforming a former restaurant into a new Italian concept set to debut by Memorial Day. That spot will focus on fresh seafood, homemade pasta, and specialty cocktails, bringing what Mema describes as a “city vibe” to the Shore.
As they expand beyond Montco, the trio is looking to hire dozens of seasonal employees for both locations, signaling a busy summer ahead.
To learn more about the ambitious team of Montco-based restaurateurs, visit The Philadelphia Business Journal.
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Romantic Restaurant Guide
Download our “Romantic Restaurants in the Delaware Valley” guide for a county-by-county directory to 16 romantic Delaware Valley restaurants, with maps, addresses, and links to plan a magical and romantic evening.
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Editor’s Note: This post first appeared on MONTCO Today in February 2026.
