Wilbur Reich and his wife, Jill, founded two beloved Baltimore County restaurants, Jilly’s Ale House and the Pike’s Diner and Crab House, decades ago. Their son Scott Reich and his wife, Kathie, run Jilly’s today. Photo courtesy of Reich family

• Share

PRINT

Wilbur Reich and his wife, Jill Reich, are local celebrities in the northwest Baltimore neighborhoods of Pikesville, Park Heights and Pimlico. 

The couple, now in their 80s, is widely known for their longtime ownership of two popular Pikesville restaurants: The Pike’s Diner and Crab House and Jilly’s Ale House, which is now owned by their son and his wife.  

The Reichs are also known for their open hearts, charitable donations and willingness to help others who are less fortunate.  

Now 86 and facing health challenges, Wilbur “Will” Reich still manages to go into work at The Pike’s a couple of times each week. He maintains an office at the rear of the restaurant. 

In a recent interview with the Beacon, Reich (pronounced Rich) reflected on his early days before he and his wife became restaurant owners.  

Having grown up the eldest of four in the Park Heights-Pimlico area, Reich was 19 and fresh from a two-year stint in the Navy when he married his 18-year-old bride. She was still in high school. 

Eager to start a family, Reich recalls working several jobs to make ends meet. Stocking grocery store shelves, selling cars and working as a movie theater usher, he helped care for his growing family.  

The couple welcomed four children: Scott, now 64; Wendy, 63; Tracy, 61; and the youngest son, Brian, 52. 

Will and Jill celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary on May 31, 2024. 

A stepping stone 

Prior to getting into the restaurant business, Will Reich said he and a business partner, William “Little Willie” Adams, collaborated and purchased the Mondawmin shopping center in Baltimore, now called the Mondawmin Mall.  

“Owning the shopping center was a major stepping stone for me as a real estate developer,” Reich said. 

Eventually he purchased Jilly’s in 1984 and The Pike’s seafood diner in 2003. In 1992, he opened another Jilly’s in Ellicott City. 

At one point, the family owned four diners: two in Pikesville and two in Ellicott City. They’ve since downsized to operate the remaining two Pikesville businesses, both of which are located on Reisterstown Road.  

The two restaurants consistently attract large numbers of customers on a daily basis.  

Jilly’s specializes in breakfast and American fare throughout the day, while The Pike’s is mainly known for steamed crabs, crab cakes and other seafood dishes. Both eateries offer alcoholic beverages and live music on weekends. 

Reich says his restaurants’ decades of success stems from the idea behind the TV show “Cheers,” in which the staff treated customers like family. 

“I wanted places where everyone feels comfortable amongst one another. And that’s the vibe that’s offered when you visit The Pike’s or Jilly’s,” he said.  

He said the family also values having a clientele of diverse ages, cultures and ethnic backgrounds. 

Recovering after a fire 

Four years ago, Jilly’s was the site of arson. No one was injured in the fire, but the building was destroyed.  

Authorities eventually arrested a homeless man for intentionally setting the fire. Current owners Scott Reich, Will’s son, and Kathie Reich, his daughter-in-law, were determined to rebuild. 

“After more than 40 years in business, we felt inclined and motivated to restore and rebuild the restaurant,” Scott Reich said.  

“We were encouraged by many of our customers to reopen and bring the business back to life. We’re considered a community staple, and to not reopen would have left a significant void in the Pikesville community.” 

Jilly’s was originally called Roger’s Tap Room, founded in 1936. “It was basically a bar,” he said.  

When the Reichs took over nearly 50 years later, they added a kitchen and a large dining room, turning it into the full-fledged restaurant-lounge that exists today.  

With the support of $35,000 in GoFundMe dollars and assistance from the Baltimore Ravens and the community, the Reichs were able to reopen Jilly’s. Within a year, they were back in business with a newly renovated, 5,900-square-foot building. 

“We owe thanks to family, friends and customers, including politicians like former Baltimore County Executive Congressman-elect Johnny ‘O’ Olszewski and Izzy Patoka,” the Baltimore County commissioner for district two, Scott Reich said. 

According to Beth Rheingold, CEO and President of the Greater Baltimore Chamber of Commerce, the Reich family has been a sterling example of a steadfast, thriving business in the northwest Baltimore suburbs.  

“Their family has been a great addition to our community for many years,” Rheingold said. “They have a golden reputation.” 

Second chances 

As a business owner, Will Reich said he has always tried to support and even hire those in need. 

“Back in my day, young people could get married and buy homes without having to have college degrees and super-high salaries. Today, it’s no longer that way. 

“We tend to hire people who are trying to fight through alcohol and drug issues. If they’re being rehabilitated, we understand their situations, and we try to hire those types of people, even those who have been incarcerated,” he said. “We try to give people a second chance.”. 

Many of the restaurants’ employees have worked for the Reichs for decades. 

Does Reich have a “secret sauce” for a long life? In providing life-sustaining advice, Reich said a good marriage and a compelling job help. 

“Being married is very important, and finding the type of work you really enjoy. Those are very important virtues when it comes to experiencing longevity in life,” he said.  

“Finding true love is so vital,” he added. “True love makes you happy and makes you think more clearly. It keeps you on a course for life.”