The Frog Pond restaurant/bar on Coal Street in Wilkes-Barre, seen here, is for sale.
                                 Bill O’Boyle | Times Leader

The Frog Pond restaurant/bar on Coal Street in Wilkes-Barre, seen here, is for sale.

Bill O’Boyle | Times Leader

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<p>Mary Jo Farber Burke</p>

Mary Jo Farber Burke

WILKES-BARRE — After 24 years of owning and operating the Frog Pond on Coal Street, Mary Jo Farber Burke has decided to sell the business and retire.

Burke, 70, said the popular restaurant/bar will remain open until it is sold and a new owner takes over.

“After 24 years in business and one year without my partner, it’s time to retire,” Burke posted on her Facebook page. “It’s been a great ride. Over the years, we kept many family members employed and enriched our lives with many beautiful people that we now call friends. We will remain open for business as usual. Hop on over! Through our doors walked the most important people in the world — our customers.”

Burke and her late husband, Ernest “Butch” Burke purchased the business on Valentine’s Day 1997. They also had previously owned Lakeside Pizza at Lake Silkworth.

“My husband, Butch, passed away a year ago,” Burke said. “It’s just not the same without him by my side.”

Burke said she will forever cherish the memories of 24 years at the Frog Pond.

“It’s bittersweet,” she said. “So many memories. Our customers have always been great.”

Burke said she now lives in Pittston and when retirement arrives, she intends to travel with her friends and kick back.

“I’m hoping this pandemic ends soon and we can sell the business and move on,” Burke said.

Burke and her husband bought the Frog Pond from Frank Trinisewski Jr., a former Luzerne County Commissioner. She and Butch remodeled the place and expanded it, creating dining space for 100 people. The Frog Pond has been known for its food, especially pizza and chicken wings.

Burke said she and Butch named the place the Frog Pond because Mary Jo enjoyed collecting frog memorabilia — frog statues porcelain frogs, etc. She said Butch just came up with the name. And, Burke said, at one time across Coal Street there was a pond where kids would go to catch “froggies.”

So for the last 24 years, the Frog Pond operated as a family friendly restaurant and bar.

“We have had so many nice people come in over the years,” Burke said. “It’s time for me to retire.”

In a Times Leader story a few years ago, Burke said the Frog Pond pizza is always a big draw. Menu items range from the pizza to standard bar and American restaurant fare, including pretzels, salads, wings and burgers.

Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.