So, what’s in a name? An awful lot sometimes. When it comes to iconic spots in the Rumson-Fair Haven area, sometimes its all about a name — and the place behind that name and its power. The power of place. It’s mighty in small towns. It defines us and fills our hearts — that slew of memories all anchored in one small place that holds the power to invoke them.

There’s a lot of power in an iconic place like Rumson’s Fromagerie. It’s been a locals’ anchor for decades, since it opened in 1972, under the ownership of Hubert and Markus Peter. Through the many years of the swanky restaurant’s staple existence, management, ownership and menu shifts, the name of the landmark has always been the same — until now.

The restaurant, that has sat seemingly forever at Hintelmann’s Corner, officially 26 Ridge Road, in the borough is now Rumson House with a farm-to-table menu twist.

Longtime locals got a bit of a Rumson status quo jolt when passing by recently. The signage went from red to blue to red and back again to a new electric blue. It was a sign … meant to signal change. And when change is signaled, memories are stirred. The stirring started when the ownership posted a note on Facebook dated Jan. 9.

It says …

“A bittersweet goodbye:

Fromagerie has history, that’s one thing we know for sure, however with a new year comes change. As we think of the words to write this, we hope you will always keep what the Peter family built here in your hearts (we know we will).

While discussing what comes next for this legendary property, we decided change would be the best direction. Under the Sansone ownership along with his staff, Fromagerie will be under a new name, Rumson House.

Rumson House will head in new direction focusing on a refined Farm-to-Table Dining experience using local ingredients and seasonal cooking.

Rumson House will still have a full service bar with hand crafted cocktails and happy hour specials. Don’t worry, the staff you’ve come to love will still be here and are very excited to take everyone to new levels.

A bit more casual in our bar, but still a great place for your special occasion in our main dining room. Visit our new page Rumson House.

Thank you all for the years of support and fun!!!”

Remember all those years?

Thinking back to the 1970s, the memories of many who called the Rumson-Fair Haven area home come rushing back.

Were you one of those RFH students who was a valet at the restaurant? Remember that? It was pretty common to drive by and see a student out in that busy circular driveway parking cars. The work was prolific and all who did it had a special camaraderie.

It was a guy’s job back then. And it was usually filled by those students who loved cars. They got a bit of a thrill driving some classics a few feet, socializing with community parents, forging connections and bringing home some nice tips.

Then there were those milestone celebrations to which any R-FH area teen hoped to get an invite. Some on the outside of the exclusivity of the posh place had noses pressed to the glass (figuratively speaking, of course) to get a glimpse and a taste of it all. After all, it was a Rumson Epicurean staple in the most social of circles.

That said, some never got there until they were adults, sometimes working, at that.

There were the waitresses who had children. Those waitresses provided lots of babysitting work for RFH teens. Remember babysitting for a Fromagerie, or The Frog, as they called it, waitress?

Remember what the uniforms looked like? French flair, to go along with the cuisine back then.

Yes, the Fromagerie has been through a lot and given a lot of memories to folks from the area and beyond. But, for locals, it’s mostly a comfort knowing it’s still there, regardless of the name.

Even celebrity chef David Burke worked there before he eventually owned it in 2006 and topped the sign with his own name, adding his signature flair to dishes. He sold it in 2015.

And in 2016, area restaurateur Steven Botta joined forces with Paul and Enilda Sansone and Angelo Bongiovanni to, once again, transform the Fromagerie without the Burke name into something a bit different. The Sansones are still owners, with Joe Sansone as sous chef and Michael Dunst as executive chef. Christian Corson is general manager.

Now, the sign says Rumson House, the menu offers farm-to-table faire and the door’s open. And you’re likely to see an RFH grad on the other side of it, too.

For more information, check out Rumson House’s website by clicking here.