SOMERS POINT – In 1987, Gregory Hieb, who has a PhD in biomedical engineering, decided to open a restaurant.  His oldest son, Geoff, had just graduated from the Restaurant School of Philadelphia and had a natural flair for creating recipes.  The time seemed right for the new venture.

The Doc’s Place has been a staple on Bay Avenue in Somers Point for the past 20 years, and it is the longest single-family-owned restaurant in operation on Bay Avenue.  Eventually Hieb, affectionately known as “Doc,” was joined by his other son, David, who majored in public accounting.

“Our combined strengths, along with our dad’s, made the business better, operationally,” said Geoff Hieb, “and we work well together. Our dad is a very intelligent man.”

Doc is now semiretired, and Geoff and David are running the business. Their mother is the Director of Hospice at AtlantiCare. They have a sister, Barbara Ann, who specialized in pediatric oncology at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia until she became a mom.

Geoff Hieb remembers some difficult times during the early 1990s, but said that with hard work and determination they managed to survive.  They eventually bought the building and were able to purchase a liquor license in 1995.  That same year their father decided to design and build his own bar, which is in use today.  Next the family added a fireplace in the main dining room, and then they carpeted and heated the outside covered deck.  The deck can be used all year because it has an isinglass cover for viewing the Harbor Cove marina.

Geoff Hieb developed the menu, and David Hieb determines the price based on ingredients and prep times.

“We all pitch in cleaning and do everything,” said Geoff.  “We take pride in keeping it clean.”  David said all the work you see is done by Geoff.

“We have an excellent chef whom we fondly call Chef Vinny, and our floor staff is mature,” Geoff said.

The service is white tablecloth with candlelight, and there are fresh flowers on the tables.  The list of wines by the glass or bottle is extensive.

Regular customers Dennis and Leslie Jones said they eat at Doc’s two or three times a week and had their baby’s christening party there.

“The food here is incredible,” said Dennis Jones.

Dan Morrow provides live music 7 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Photos by T.S.EVANS

To comment on this story e-mail Toni Evans at Toni.Evans@catamaranmedia.com.