Surfside Casual Furniture 2024 Summer Show House
to Benefit Stockton University Foundation

Open Weekends July 19 through August 11

VIP Opening Reception – Thursday, July 18 from 5-8 p.m.

Linwood, NJ

Linwood’s premier waterfront Gold Coast neighborhood provides the setting for the 2024 Surfside Casual Furniture Summer Show House, open for public tours on weekends from Friday, July 19 through Sunday, August 11. The stunning Cape Cod, aptly named ‘Pond of Hope Mansion’, is located at 121 Edgewood Avenue, Linwood, NJ, adjacent to Off’s Pond.

The Surfside Casual Furniture Summer Show House is open to the public on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., with last daily entry at 3:30 p.m. Admission is $25 per person. Tickets can be purchased online: www.stockton.edu/surfside.

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Show House Benefits Stockton University Foundation

The Show House is presented by Surfside Casual Furniture of Somers Point and Manahawkin, NJ and 7Mile Design of Egg Harbor Township and Stone Harbor, NJ. All proceeds benefit the Stockton University Foundation. The Foundation plays a crucial role in removing barriers to student success by providing more than $1 million in annual scholarship support, funding innovative programs, faculty projects, student groups, and other initiatives at the university.

Surfside Casual Furniture President and Show House owner Robert Himmelstein, a 1986 Stockton University alumnus, expressed his passion for hosting a Show House: “While this Show House is an amazing collaboration that showcases the immense local talent available for transforming homes into masterpieces, the most important aspect is the opportunity to support the Stockton University Foundation. The Foundation provides significant opportunities for Stockton University students; in fact, many of our employees are Stockton alumni.”

“We are thrilled to partner with Robert and Surfside Casual Furniture,” said Dan Nugent, vice president of University Advancement and executive director of the University Foundation. “This collaboration not only highlights our remarkable alumni but also contributes directly to the success of our current students. Together, we are building a brighter future for the entire community.

Pond of Hope Mansion Show House Tours

The public is invited to embark on a self-guided tour through the Surfside Casual Furniture Summer Show House, where breathtaking views of Off’s Pond and the Atlantic City skyline await. Revel in the magnificent vistas, serene landscapes, and stunning interiors, all showcasing Surfside Casual Furniture and 7Mile Design exquisite custom designs.

This 10,000-square-foot waterfront masterpiece boasts a sprawling, multi-floor layout featuring 6 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, a chef’s kitchen, a full office, laundry rooms on both floors, a two-story foyer, three fireplaces, a billiard room, a living room, a great room, and a poker room. Additionally, there is a fully self-sufficient guest suite. The beautiful sunroom overlooks the meticulously landscaped waterfront grounds and a luxurious inground pool. The property is ideal for outdoor entertaining, featuring a long circular driveway and a 3-car garage. The exterior also includes an inground swimming pool, landscaped lawns with decades-old trees and gardens, outdoor balconies, and verandas.

Parking at the house is limited. Free parking is available along Woodlynne Boulevard.  

The name of the Show House, ‘Pond of Hope Mansion,’ was chosen by Robert and his wife, Stephanie Himmelstein, to reflect their deep connection to Stockton University. Robert explained, “Giving back to my alma mater, Stockton University, is very important to me. Naming the Show House ‘Pond of Hope Mansion’ felt fitting because I personally knew the original property owner, Lou Off. Additionally, since the Show House is located next to Off’s Pond, which is named after Lou, and the proceeds from the Show House are benefiting Stockton University students, the name ‘Pond of Hope Mansion’ seemed very appropriate.”

VIP Opening Reception – Thursday, July 18 from 5-8 p.m.

Join us for a delightful evening at the Pond of Hope Mansion Show House VIP Opening Reception hosted by Surfside Casual Furniture and 7Mile Design on Thursday, July 18 from 5-8 p.m. Mix and mingle around the landscaped lawns and antique gardens while enjoying heavy hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, music, exclusive Show House preview tours, and a meet and greet with Stockton University President, Dr. Joe Bertolino. Tickets to the reception are $75 per person, with all proceeds benefitting the Stockton University Foundation. The Pond of Hope Mansion VIP Opening Reception is sponsored in part by McPeak Wealth Management Group. Tickets can be purchased online: www.stockton.edu/surfside

Sponsors

The Surfside Casual Furniture Summer Show House is made possible by the generosity of these sponsors: Amish Designs, Atlantic Coast Alarm, Bassett, Bernhardt, Besser Fuents, Best Buy Premium, Confident Tile LLC, Currey Company, Dal Tile, Deco TV frames, East Coast Landscaping, Elegantly Set in Stone, Four Seasons, Frankford Umbrellas, FW Webb, Galloway Nursery, Geo Heating and Cooling, Helios Solar Energy LLC, Hooker Furniture, Hunter Douglas, Izzo Network LLC, Kushner Draperies, Peter Lumber, Pitney Painting Co. Inc., Paul Koelling & Associates, Platinum Hardwood Floors, Polywood Furniture, Progressive Fence, RB Drywall LLC, Savannah Brass Company, Sherwin Williams, Sonance, Sonos, Sureline Mechanical, Tempur-Pedic, Tico Construction LLC, Thibaut, TNT Gutters, Universal Supply, and Yoos Tree Service.

History

In 1957, the Wilson family, who owned Wilson Dairy in Atlantic City and lived on Quincy Avenue in Margate, purchased land from Lou Off of Brighton Farms. They were required to build on the land within two years to retain ownership, starting construction just in time.

In 1969, Ron and Nancy Glenn, also from Quincy Avenue, bought the home, notable for its air conditioning and lawn irrigation. They made five major additions with architect Rob Williams, who also built the Smithville Inn. The additions included converting the attic in 1975, building a pool, renovating the kitchen and adding a playroom in 1979, adding a master bedroom and enclosed porch in 1989, and rebuilding the second floor with a new third floor in 1995-1996. The home was named Hollyglen.

In 2005, Dr. Richard and Chris Menghetti purchased the home for nearly $1.6 million. Their contribution to the home included hiring architect Stephen Fenwick from Fenwick Architects, turning the house into a Cape Cod Mansion, adding a great room, bar room, first-floor laundry room, pool bathroom; and a fully self-sufficient suite with its own mini kitchen over the new three-car garage.

Surfside Casual Furniture acquired the 10,000 square-foot property in 2021. The property, which had fallen into disrepair, was intended to be transformed into a show house featuring significant aesthetic and technical upgrades. These enhancements include a rooftop solar system to fully generate the home’s electricity, smart home controls accessible via iPad, invisible speakers throughout the interior and exterior, and lighting that could be controlled through a phone. Additionally, the house features framed TVs resembling oil paintings and other advanced features.

Surfside Casual Furniture is the largest full-service custom furniture design and home furnishings store in the Southern New Jersey (Cape May, Atlantic, and Ocean Counties). They offer free, customized, and dedicated design services, assisting with everything from choosing pieces to matching lighting and flooring. Their approach allows them to provide products in any fabric, color, or finish.

7Mile Design, located in Stone Harbor and Egg Harbor Township, is New Jersey’s largest urban and modern full-service design studio & furniture company. In 2015, Surfside Casual opened 7Mile Design to cater to the needs of upscale and modern design tastes. 7Mile Design Furniture offers free personalized design services with an approach that allows customization in any fabric, color, or finish, from outdoor furniture to interior pieces.

• For more information about the Surfside Casual Show House, visit: www.stockton.edu/surfside
• For more information about Surfside Casual Furniture, visit: www.surfsidecasualfurniture.com
• For more information about 7Mile Design, visit: www.7miledesignfurniture.com
• For more information about Stockton University Foundation, visit: www.stockton.edu/foundation

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About the 2024 Surfside Casual Furniture Summer Show House

Surfside Casual Furniture of Somers Point and Manahawkin and 7Mile Design of Egg Harbor Township and Stone Harbor, present the Surfside Casual Furniture Summer Show House, ‘Pond of Hope Mansion’, located at 121 Edgewood Avenue, Linwood, NJ, adjacent to Off’s Pond. The Show House is open to the public on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. starting Friday, July 19 through Sunday, August 11. Admission is $25, with proceeds benefitting the Stockton University Foundation’s Stockton Fund. This 10,000-square-foot waterfront masterpiece boasts a sprawling, multi-floor layout featuring 6 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, a chef’s kitchen, a full office, laundry rooms on both floors, a two-story foyer, three fireplaces, a billiard room, a living room, a great room, and a poker room. Additionally, there is a fully self-sufficient guest suite. The beautiful sunroom overlooks the meticulously landscaped waterfront grounds and a luxurious inground pool. The property is ideal for outdoor entertaining, featuring a long circular driveway and a 3-car garage. The exterior also includes an inground swimming pool, landscaped lawns with decades-old trees and gardens, outdoor balconies, and verandas. For more information about the Surfside Casual Show House, visit: www.stockton.edu/surfside.

The Surfside Casual Furniture Summer Show House is made possible by the generosity of these sponsors: Amish Designs, Atlantic Coast Alarm, Bassett, Bernhardt, Besser Fuents, Best Buy Premium, Confident Tile LLC, Currey Company, Dal Tile, Deco TV frames, East Coast Landscaping, Elegantly Set in Stone, Four Seasons, Frankford Umbrellas, FW Webb, Galloway Nursery, Geo Heating and Cooling, Helios Solar Energy LLC, Hooker Furniture, Hunter Douglas, Izzo Network LLC, Kushner Draperies, Peter Lumber, Pitney Painting Co. Inc., Paul Koelling & Associates, Platinum Hardwood Floors, Polywood Furniture, Progressive Fence, RB Drywall LLC, Savannah Brass Company, Sherwin Williams, Sonance, Sonos, Sureline Mechanical, Tempur-Pedic, Tico Construction LLC, Thibaut, TNT Gutters, Universal Supply, and Yoos Tree Service.

About Surfside Casual Furniture & 7Mile Design

Surfside Casual Furniture started in 1981 in Ocean City by Larry Himmelstein. This mom-and-pop corner furniture store was thriving, but Himmelstein wanted more as the market and industry began to morph. Finally, Surfside Casual was opened in Somers Point in 1988, a central location right before travelers made their way to the shore towns. Larry’s son, Robert, now carries on the legacy his father began at two South Jersey locations – Somers Point and Manahawkin. Surfside Casual Furniture is the largest full-service custom furniture design and home furnishings store in the Southern New Jersey (Cape May, Atlantic, and Ocean Counties). They provide free, customized, and dedicated design services, assisting in everything from choosing pieces to match your current lighting to flooring. Their approach provides products in any fabric, color, or finish. Stop in today to see their luxury selection offered at affordable prices. For more information, visit: www.surfsidecasualfurniture.com

7Mile Design, located in Stone Harbor and Egg Harbor Township, is New Jersey’s largest urban and modern full-service design studio & furniture company. In 2015, Surfside Casual opened 7Mile Design to cater to the needs of upscale and modern design tastes. 7Mile Design offers free personalized design services with an approach that allows customization in any fabric, color, or finish, from outdoor furniture to interior pieces. For more information about 7Mile Design, visit: www.7miledesignfurniture.com

About Stockton University Foundation

The Foundation’s mission is to remove barriers to student success at Stockton, providing resources to make higher education more attainable. The Foundation awards more than $1 million annually in scholarships directly to Stockton students and supports faculty research and other programs at the University with equipment and other support. To learn more about the Stockton University Foundation visit: www.stockton.edu/foundation.