The Twisted Cork is a full-service restaurant that was born from a combination of ideas, experiences, and previous ventures that were derived by the Walsh family which owns and operates the property. The owners Dave and Blair Walsh, are very familiar with this community. The story is long, but it’s fun…
It starts in 1998 Dave, originally from Pottstown, moved to Blue Bell. During his time in Blue Bell he worked as a bartender at Reeds in center square, and as as “as needed” bartender during Brownies Plymouth’s last months of operation. After six years Dave moved back into the Limerick area & started working at the All Star Café where he quickly became general manager. After operating All Star successfully for a two year period, he moved on to other restaurant ventures in the surrounding areas where he met many of his team members. In 2004, he later met his wife, Blair, and they became an amazing team. Blair, at the time, was in the banking & insurance industries, and Dave was working a day job at a large Pharmaceutical company. As time went on, Dave & Blair discussed opening up their own restaurant. In 2007 the iconic, “Philadelphia best” award-winning Brick House in Pottstown was born. The restaurant was an amazing accomplishment for the couple, and the Pottstown & surrounding areas. It even landed them in the history books. Literally! (see:“Legendary Locals of Pottstown”) Just while opening The Brick House, they happened to move to Gilbertsville on the Bella Vista golf course where they met, the most awesome neighbors, and made lifelong connections with friends. The constant success of The Brick House took them down a path where they opened BlackJax American Pub & Grill on route 422 in the Birdsboro/Douglassville corridor of Berks County. Blackjax, a 12,000 square-foot restaurant/bar, event venue, and banquet hall, that was named after their legendary dog, Blackjack.
In 2017 the owners found challenges in Pottstown, and decided to close The Brick House at its peak of success. The decision was complicated, but necessary. They put their focus on developing Blackjax into the magnificent property that it is today! Surviving the pandemic, and blazing through finding amazing people, a great chef, and extremely talented crew, and loyalty from family, friends and guests allow Blackjax to be an amazing place.
Life then took a twist. Dave and Blair, together for 21 years, decided to start a family. They brought a beautiful little girl named Peyton into the world. Their knowledge and understanding of food, restaurants, and people let them heavily to a path of making sure that food is clean, and a top priority both in their restaurant as well as their home. Heading down the path of family, there wasn’t a complete interest in opening another restaurant.
Well, everyone knows the restaurant business is challenging. Everyone also knows that if you find a good opportunity, you should consider it. The Walshes have developed many different concepts over the years, and had lots and lots of ideas that they wanted to bring to life. All of their concepts are unique, and developed by their experiences and vision. The main focus of their visions have always been centered around New American Restaurants with a “twist”.
So what does all this have to do with the Twisted Cork?
An opportunity presented itself to the Walshes that seemed a no-brainer. Over 20 years ago Dave operated All Star Café for two years which was located two minutes from where the twisted cork is. Dave, Blair, & BlackJack lived on the 16th Tee at Bella Vista while owning and operating The Brick House and Blackjax. When the offer presented itself, they couldn’t help but reminisce of the times on the golf course with their family, friends, and the worlds greatest neighbors. Currently living in the Green Lane area, the property is only 15 minutes “down the road” according to the Walshes, and it is “on the way” to BlackJax. Although the property seems to be located in Gilbertsville, It’s address is 2532 Swamp Pike POTTSTOWN PA, 19464. The Walshes pondered… “Is this a sign?” Go back to Pottstown? How many people still talk about The Brick House 10 years later? Well, if you are from Montgomery , Northern Chester or Eastern Berks County, you’ve probably heard of, or been to the Brick House. All of this seems to add up for the Walshes to something that they feel is “going to be an amazing thing” for the local community.
The Twisted Cork is a full service restaurant with a chef driven menu with a wine-centric spin. It includes wine on tap and take out wine bottles along with beer and ready to drink canned cocktails. According to Blair, “Life gives us plenty of reasons to ‘uncork’ a bottle of wine. Let the Twisted Cork become a place for everyone to twist a cork!”. Twisted cork offers a variety of food and drink options along with catering services, special events, and celebrations.