Local Biz Cast Weekly Spotlight on Business Leaders
Dr. Pete Wohl of The Spine and Health Centers of New Jersey proudly presents the LocalBizCast, a weekly podcast featuring conversations with prominent business owners, entrepreneurs and influencers throughout the area. Tune in every week for new insights, stories, and success strategies from local entrepreneurs making an impact in the community.
From Ireland to Montvale — The Heart Behind Hearth & Tap and Coopers Tavern
In this feel-good episode of LocalBizCast, Dr. Pete sits down with Kelly Robinson, the visionary owner, with her husband, of Hearth & Tap in Montvale, NJ and the soon-to-open Coopers Tavern in Sloatsburg, NY. Kelly’s story is as inspiring as it is entertaining — from growing up in Northern Ireland just outside Belfast, to meeting her husband in a barn full of salvaged wood and stone, to building two of the most talked-about hospitality spaces in the region.
Kelly shares her journey from interior design and construction in Ireland to transforming the former Porterhouse into the warm, elevated pub experience now known as Hearth & Tap. She gives a behind-the-scenes look at the massive renovation of Rhodes Tavern, soon to reopen as Coopers, and what it takes to create a restaurant that people don’t just visit — they feel.
This episode dives deep into the realities of running a restaurant — the highs, the stress, the staff, the culture, and the community that makes it all worth it. Kelly opens up about:
The challenges and rewards of hospitality ownership
How design and authenticity create atmosphere
Building and keeping a loyal team
The power of saying “yes” and adapting through tough times
How community connection drives business success
Whether you’re a restaurant owner, entrepreneur, or creative spirit, Kelly’s story will leave you inspired to lead with heart and passion.
