Industry gets down to business

When Mohawk House owner Steve Scro broke ground on his second restaurant, originally to be called Modern Farmer, in September 2019, he and his wife, Rachael, could not have imagined the uncertainty the next four years would bring.

Fast forward to today and the 450-seat eatery and gathering place, now known as Industry Restaurant + Bar, is breaking ground in new ways.

The restaurant, headed by Scro and new chef and partner Carmine DiGiovanni, is in the midst of its next great transition: becoming a scratch kitchen.

That means diners can expect the fresh, local, hand-crafted food that they’ve come to know and love to become even more fresh and locally sourced in the days ahead.

Industry has been open for more than a year, but the post-pandemic return to dining out meant a slow start for the new enterprise.

The addition of DiGiovanni to the team infused clarity and energy into Industry’s mission.

For both Scro and DiGiovanni, the move toward a fully scratch kitchen is a move toward greater authenticity and openness, with hospitality and warmth as Industry’s signature values.

“Authenticity lies at the heart of Industry. It’s about an experience,” Scro said, “We want people to come in, feel welcome, and eat approachable, clean, real food.”

Industry’s décor is eclectic: the dining rooms, bars and gathering spaces are dotted with artifacts from Sussex County and beyond, all paying tribute to hard work and having fun.

Chandeliers made from martini glasses dangle from the warehouse-style ceiling over the polished bar, where comfortable stools invite patrons to sit and rest while they savor a drink.

Manufacturing equipment, vintage business signs, exposed ductwork and other industrial artifacts fulfill Scro’s vision of a modern industrial homage to the past, where people can enjoy the atmosphere as much as they enjoy their meals.

There is something new to see around every corner of the spacious two-story venue and generous patio.

“The artifacts are conversation pieces,” he said. “Everyone knows someone who worked in a certain industry that these represent or has an experience to share. These artifacts are for people to talk about and share those stories.”

‘Best on the map’

DiGiovanni joined the Scros as a partner and executive chef in September, diving headlong into Sussex County’s food and agricultural scene.

A New York Restaurant School graduate with diverse experience ranging from Michelin star-rated kitchens to fast-casual pop-ups, DiGiovanni brings enthusiasm, expertise and consummate professionalism to his role.

He is prioritizing menu changes and becoming a fully scratch kitchen as he works to elevate Industry to new heights of upscale comfort food.

“I want us to be the best on the map,” he said. “Where you have something so fresh, so local, that the price can’t outshine the quality.

“We’re changing the menu slowly to reflect that, but it’s a process that takes time because it’s also about building an ecosystem of success.”

For DiGiovanni, that means putting in place what he calls his “methods and procedures.”

“It’s easy to say we’re going to change the menu. But that means I have to have every dish perfect the first time, then teach everyone to make that dish perfect every time.

“We’re not a one- or two-time restaurant. If we want to set new standards and become the new standard, every meal has to be right 100 percent of the time.”

He also is looking beyond the redesigned menu. He wants Industry to be a space where people can learn about food with cooking classes and wine-and-food-pairing events, and he’s eager to begin building new relationships with local farmers and producers.

“I want to make my home here and build something special. Not just my personal brand as a chef but as an innovator, an educator, and a supporter of agriculture and the local economy.”

Legacy of giving

Industry’s food and vibe may be vastly different from the chateau chic atmosphere of Mohawk House, but it seeks to add to the legacy of being a community hub for gathering and giving.

Industry’s official ribbon-cutting ceremony took place Friday, Nov 10; for Scro, it wouldn’t be a party without a way to give back.

Local officials and business supporters mingled at the bar and on the patio alongside animal rescue groups Father John’s Animal House and O.S.C.A.R., which brought adoptable dogs to meet the public and accepted donations of pet food and supplies.

Popular Sussex County DJ Steve Allan led the festivities as he emceed choirs from Sussex Christian School and Veritas Christian Academy and heralded the arrival of none other than Santa and Mrs. Claus, who took time to greet children. (Even Herbie the Miner couldn’t resist standing in line to share his holiday wishes with the popular pair.)

Industry will continue the season of giving by being a designated Toys for Tots and Stuff the Bus for the Social Services Food Pantry drop-off location.

When it came time to cut the ribbon, which, befitting the industrial theme, was a braided guywire, the Scros and DiGiovanni were joined by a dozen friends, relatives and officials, including Sparta Township Council members Christine Quinn and Josh Hertzberg, who presented Scro with an official Sparta Challenge Coin for his contributions to the community.

“Growing up here, I never imagined a place like this in Sparta,” Hertzberg said. “We’ve come such a long way. This place is beautiful, and we wish you all the luck.”

What comes next

For Scro, the work they’re doing at Industry isn’t meant to replace what he’s built at Mohawk House in the past 20 years.

“I know a lot of people are wondering what’s up with Mohawk House because we’ve only been doing private events,” he said. “But we’re coming back and soon. Chef Carmine’s got big plans there, too.”

Those plans include moving to what DiGiovanni calls a “supper club” model, where dining will be available on limited days, by reservation only, to begin.

“We’ll be back with a pre-fixe menu for Thanksiving, all scratch,” DiGiovanni said. “And then we’ll build the menu and the atmosphere back slowly over time.”

Mohawk House will be open for reservations on weekdays beginning after Thanksgiving, and patrons may check the website for details in the coming weeks.

As for Industry, Scro believes it’s a restaurant with what he’s dubbed the “something more factor.”

“We want to be a gathering place, be a beacon of warmth and giving in the community, and be somewhere people can expect great food and service,” he said.

“But Industry - both the word and the restaurant - are about more than that. Industry means paying homage to all the visionaries who came before, overcoming obstacles, finding ways to be creative and rising above. We’ve been able to do that, and now we want Industry to be the new industry standard.”