Mr. Bill reminds shore-bond travelers to practice good habits.
Life
WINSLOW — A celebrity here was recently sighted wearing a mask outside to comply with the state law mandating him to.
Mr. Bill doesn’t have to wear a mask, though. And social distancing should come easily to him since he is not a person at all.
Mr. Bill is a 22-foot tall “muffler man” statue that sits outside a route 73 restaurant bearing the same name.
The restaurant posted a photo of Bill wearing the mask on their social media page in April when the coronavirus was at its peak in the garden state, and the eatery was still closed to passing diners.
But the outside pavilion was reopened to diners in June, allowing those who seek a bit of nostalgia to feel normal while heading down a virus-altered beach experience.
Despite this feeling of “normalcy,” Mr. Bills wants their customers to know that they expect diners to follow the same Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines that they are.
They state that “tables have been moved 6-feet apart and must not be moved.” And that “they will be disinfected after each use.”
Also, food and ice cream orders from walk-up windows will be handled much like a deli or bakery: customers who place their orders will be given number. After this, they will return to their car or seat. And when their order is up, they will be beckoned by the restaurant’s loudspeaker system.
No table delivery is available at this time, according to a statement on the business’ social media page.
And, of course, like the example set by Mr. Bill, “masks must be worn at all times with the exception of while you are seated at your table,” the statement says.
| To see for yourself |
| Mr. Bills: 453 Rt. 73 Winslow, NJ 08037 |
However, many people do not wear masks when they are around their immediate family or those they know. But one should assume they do not really know who “Mr. Bill” is.
Bill actually goes by many names: “the muffler man,” “the half-wit,” “country bumpkin,” and even “Alfred E. Neumann,” the buck-toothed mascot of MAD magazine and TV, according to a chronicling of the book “Roadside America” that was reported on by The Philadelphia Inquirer.
The designation “half-wit,” was bestowed upon the statue by Roadside America, which also operates as a travel website.
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The statue’s real name, according to the Inquirer’s report, is Mortimer Snerd. But many may ask where did he come from?
According to the Inquirer, a maker of fiberglass animal figurines made a giant Paul Bunyan in the 1960s. However, his client didn’t pay, but an Arizona café ended up buying the fictional lumberjack come to life.
The original crafter eventually ended up selling his business to International Fiberglass Incorporated, who continued production of the figurines. They crafted and named Mr. Bills’ “muffler man,” a name given to figurines for holding of various items such as mufflers, the Inquirer says.
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Mr. Bills went out of business in 2014. But when new owners purchased the place in 2016, Snerd was included in the sale, according to the Inquirer.
Snerd used to have more company, including a brother that was damaged in Superstorm Sandy. Some have moved, but many remain in the state, including Paul Bunyan and Cowboy, who greets people at a Salem County rodeo.
But Mr. Bills is known for more than just its eponymous statue. The roadside restaurant has long been a stop for locals and travelers alike.
Known for its burgers, fries, and ice cream, the restaurant is also one of the few places outside of Disney World where you can find Dole Whip, the sweet, refreshing ice cream-like treat that comes in Pineapple and Mango flavors.
Dole Whip has gained in popularity in the state recently, with some parlors at the shore selling the treat. It can also be found the handmade ice cream shop Cups & Cones in Evesham Township.
Mr. Bills offers a twist on the summer treat, however. Diners can enjoy a Dole Whip smoothie or sundae.
So, if you plan to come and enjoy one of the restaurant’s “Colossal Burger” or a sundae, make sure you follow Mr. Mortimer Snerd’s example and wear a mask.
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