Clayton

Clayton

Historic

Preservation And Advisory

Committee

OLD BUSINESSES OF CLAYTON

There are many buildings in Clayton that have housed different businesses throughout the years. There are other buildings that have switched between commercial and residential. Some businesses have been around along time, while others did not last.

The most famous of the early businesses is the Moore Brothers Glassworks, which occupied most of the east side of town. The Clevenger's glassworks which is in operation at Vine and Linden Streets, is still using some of the Moore Brothers molds. F. M. Pierce, another early glassworks was located on Broad street at the end of Howard street. At the time these Companies had their own company stores so there were not a lot of other businesses around. Some of the other businesses, according to the 1876 Atlas were; L. Morton's Marble Yard on Delsea Drive between Morton Ave. and Walnut St., a Harness Shop where Boro Hall is, a Drug Store on the corner of High and Delsea Drive, a Bakery where the Bakery is now, an Undertaker on the southeast corner of Center and Delsea Drive, a store on the southwest corner, a Tin store on High St. and T. Marshall's Foundry on Delsea Drive between Morton and Chestnut. Other businesses of the time were two Black smith and wagon shops, one located where the Speed wash is and one on the southeast corner of Chestnut and Pearl. There were two Saw Mills one at Wilson Lake and one at Silver Lake. J. Iszard's store was located where Marty and Barb's is today. As the factories started to close down other businesses started to open.

Some of the following businesses opened in the buildings of the old glassworks such as Currington's Restaurant and Store. A Moore Brothers store later became Kindles Grocery Store, then Everret Jones had a store there in the 1940's. In the 1960's the second floor was made into apartments. Now Glenn Kindle has his Law Office in this building on the southwest corner of High and Delsea Drive. On the northwest corner which is now vacant, stood Chew's Restaurant, and next to it was Turner' Garage, which became Campus Terrace a dance club, in the 1940's and Mozenter's Garage, both later became part of Simpkins Hardware. The Mil Rob Floral Shop was also located in these buildings.

Around the corner from these buildings on West High Street were several other businesses. Some of these were; Harry Beck's Grocery Store, Everett G. Jones General Merchandise at 16 High Street, Albert Leeds Photo Shop, Banks Dry Cleaning at 42 West High Street all on the south side of the street. On the north side where Simpkins Hardware is now where; Turner's Fairlawn Grocery Store, a Library, Guarro's Shoe Repair, and Gatter's Shoe Store. Just down the street was Frank G. Cassaday's Ice Business on the Southwest corner of High and Pearl and a little further down was Sayer's Ice and Coal at 120 West High. Somewhere along the way was Sockwell's Ladies Clothes. All the way down at the railroad tracks was The Tobacco Shop which sold tobacco products and papers to train commuters. There was Stewart's Restaurant was all the way down on High Street on the left after the Last house.

Back to Delsea Drive and heading north is Mikay's Bakery, once a Funeral Home and then a lawyers office and residence, it has been around for many years. Where Audio Video Specialist is now was Marks Restaurant, in the rear was Mark's Glass. Before that it was a Shell gas station with the pumps on the street. Across the street where the Municipal Building is were several businesses; The Strand Movie Theater, Turner's A&P Store (before it moved to High Street), The Clayton Title and Trust, a Pool Hall, Joe Nelson's Plumbing, Sam Katz Taylor, Rubinoff's Feed, James Streeper Plumbing and Heating, Glenn Kindles Law Office, Philip Glick's Antiques and many more.

In the next block heading north are some buildings that have housed a lot of businesses over the years. Clay Drugs is a store that has housed the same type of business over the years. It was MacKay's Drugs, established in 1911, and before that it was Dr. F. Fisler's Drug store. Originally Dr. Fisler's Drug store was next to the Presbyterian Church where the Den of Antiquity building is. This building has also housed many different businesses over the years. It was the Post Office, a pool hall, a restaurant, part of Bernstein's Variety store, Hauck's Grocery's, Stanley Silvers Appliance store and Ribble's 5 and 10 cent store. Bernstein's store started where Carbon Copy Video is now and then moved across the street into the building where Dancing by Denise is located.

These two buildings have a lot of history between them. The Dancing by Denise building was originally a school house located on Academy street at the point. The building was moved to its present location in 1908. This building also has housed; Alice Snyder's Dry Goods, David Shop (mens wear), South Jersey Glass and South Jersey Bedding. The building where Carbon Copy and the Number One Chinese Restaurant are being rebuilt has been many things. It was a Klingers Bakery, The Clayton Building and Loan, The American Store, Ruth's Nook, Bernstein's Drug and Variety Store, Dot and Sam's Meat's, Clayton Food Market, Martin's Appliance, and Sally's Outlet.

Next to Dancing by Denise on the corner was Fred Leigh's Store which had two gas pumps out front. In the vacant lot between Carbon Copy and Clay Drugs was Glick's Antiques. On the other side of Clay Drugs where Glick's Real Estate is now used to be Henry's Barber Shop, and before that it was Rozelles Barber shop, and next to that is Ewing Surveying.

In the next block are some interesting buildings. Doughty Furniture Store has been around since 1949. It started across the street in the building where Produce Connection is now, after Doughty moved across the street the store was Ray's Appliances. The store where Doughty is now located or at least the original part was part of the Silver Chaimberlain Brush works. Their main buildings were on Maple st. and are used now as storage by Doughty. The building on Delsea Drive also housed Pet Mill Dog Food, is now was (Phillip) Glick & Rostan real estate, The Clayton Savings and Loan, and John Filippello Real Estate and Insurance. Across the street is Shiver's Shell which used to be Shiver's Arco, Womack's Atlantic, Benfer's Atlantic, and Morris Atlantic Service. On the corner of Delsea Drive and Academy Street is The Clayton Speed wash which used to be John Webers Gas Station in the back, with the pumps at the curb, Campbells Shoe store in part of the front, Turner and Turner's Chrysler and Plymouth which started at Delsea Drive and High Street. Across Academy Street is Marty and Barbs which was originally J. Iszard's Store, then the Pierce Glassworks store, then Currrington's Restaurant and Store. This later became Jim and Mae's (Jim Godsey owner)and then in 1966 it became Marty and Barb's. On the southeast corner is the Rainbow Inn which was the Davis Hotel and originally a Stage Coach stop. The other corner where Heritage's is located once held a Diner. In this block is the old Guarro's Jewelry Store which became Clayton Jewelry Store and is now an embroidery shop. A few houses down was Zora's Beauty Parlor, in the house before Frank's Barber Shop, which has been there since the early 60's, before that it was located at 39 East Center Street. It was first known as Grande's Barber Shop, and was changed to Frank's by Frank Zinni, whom the present owner Frank Lolli bought it from. Behind Franks is the old Clayton Press Buildings which were used for several other things over the years. Across the street was Bell Oil, next to that on the southeast corner of Clinton Street and Delsea Drive is now Clayton Place. This housed many different kinds of stores over the years. It was originally Harry's Market, later Del Market, a Chinese restaurant and many more. On the northeast corner is Manbeck's Sunoco. Somewhere in this intersection was The original Savacool Funeral Home. It later moved to the southwest corner of Howard Street and Delsea Drive. Across Howard Street is Emil Brandt Sheetmetal, which used to be Peoples Pontiac, Clayton Motor Company and Fagan's Garage. Across Delsea Drive is the Amoco, which used to be Larry's Amoco, Larry's American, Action Motors Used Cars, Nonny's American, and DeGeorge's Amoco. North of that was Clayton Body Shop. In this area was Kaplan's Delicatessen & Groceries. Next is Wayne's Auto Repair, which use to be Bill's Gulf Station owned by William (Willie) Weinstein. Across the street use to be Degen & Derr Insurance, which later became Arthur Degen Insurance, then moved to south Delsea Drive. The Post Office is next which used to be on West Center Street. Then comes Clayton Building Supply it was originally on Atlantic Ave. where Pipe Engineering is now, next comes Dr. Boyne's, then Ekco Products. Across the street where Arista Craft used to be was Clayton Shoe Outlet. From there north, several businesses have come and gone while others have stayed. Some of these were Criscuolo's Nursery at 930 North Delsea Drive, Clayton Flower Mart (same address), Cottage Mobil Service, Phillips 66 Station (both were where Harrison Tire is now), Bob And Skeets Chevron Station, Delsea Drive Filling Station (Eugene Cornell Prop.) were across the street. Others were; Larry's Mower Service, Small Engine Repair, Ferrell's Millside Dairy, Millside Farms, Delsea Dairy Farm (were ABC Tank is now), and Ambrosia's Sinclair Station. The businesses that have been around a while are Puglia's Farm Market, Authorized Business Machines, Delsea Motors, and Shore way Nursery.

Going south on Delsea Drive from High Street is the bank which has been enlarged and changed hands also several times. Next to it is the News Agency which was E&L News Agency, Clayton News Agency, Snyders News Agency, and Heglies Bakery. Then comes the old Delsea Drugs, which was once Ernest C. Stanmire Jewelry, after that is the Cleaners which use to be Guarro's. Where the Rite Aid is used to be Top Hat Vinyl Tops, South Jersey Travel, Crane Oil Company, Clayton Esso (Exxon) and Standard Oil in the 1930's. On the southeast corner of Clayton Avenue and Delsea Drive is Dr. Pearlstein's old Dentist office which used to be Hadkey's Dentistry. Next comes Twin Kiss Ice Cream which has been around since the 1950's. Forbes Motor Service is next, this became Harmers Atlantic, then Harmers Auto Service. The lot that Twinkiss and Harmers are on use to be used by the circus that came to town in the early 1930's. Crossing Linden Street You come to Timberwolfs Sporting Goods once Clayton Hobbie Center, which is now, then you come to Dr. Schofer's Office onceDr. Green's Office. On the southwest corner of Chestnut and Delsea Drive was Hadkey's Dentistry before it moved to Dr. Pearlsteins building, Dr. Wandell had an office there before he moved it to his home on High Street. On the corner of Morton and Delsea Drive where the empty lot is use to be II Gardinio's, also known as The Delsea Drive Inn, Oscar's, Freida's, Sedgwick's, Edwards Carriage House, Luke's, and Sedgewick's. All these were restaurants in the same building which originally was a house and had many alterations and additions over the years.. Next to this building was the Elks Lodge before it was moved to Broad Street. A little way down the next block, at 334 South Delsea Drive, was A. Glerum Florist. You can still see the remains of the Greenhouse and shop. In the next set of blocks are several new and old businesses. The Clayton Diner has been around for quite a while. On the other corner of Roberts Avenue and Delsea Drive is a gas station which use to be a Reolas Hess, Clayton Hess, and Hess Service Station. Across Delsea Drive used to be Ladd's Laundry; deliveries were made by horse and buggy. On this property was also R.R. Weinstein and Son, it was a gas station, garage and a junk yard which became P.J.'s Junkyard in the 1970's. Next to the diner is the old Clayton Dress Company, now Manzo's Gym. Down the block where RJ's Pizza and JC's Video are was the Yankee Rebel Steak House, Clayton Hobby Center, Knobby's Deli, Windmill Craft Supply and others over the years. Across the street on the corners of Delsea Drive and Jerry's Avenue are The Hi-Lite Custard Stand and Drive In and Tunk's Motors. Next to Tunks is Sal's Barber Shop and Nicastro's House of Beauty,

which use to be the Green Gables Half Way House. Also at this end of town was Snyder's Food Market, at 806 South Delsea Drive, Clayton Shell Service where Ralph's Auto is, and Nationwide Insurance.

Although businesses along Delsea Drive are the most noticeable, there were and are several others on side streets. On West Clayton Avenue there was Samuel Weinstein Co. Scrap Materials at 139, Clark's Feed Store at the railroad tracks, also known as Haine's Feed Store, E.G. Coleman & Son Electric Contractor at 125, (which moved to 22 Maple Street), Clayton Ready Mix 268, Pilgrim Cement, Linsk Dress Co. and Fisler and Crane Lumberyard, which was also located in the building on Broad Street where Modern Handling Equipment is now. On East Clayton there was Weir's Furniture warehouse, a venetion blind manufacturer, and a rug factory, operated by the Smith sisters. One of them was the art teacher at the Clayton Schools, all of these were located in an old Moore Brothers building on the northwest corner of Main Street. Miller's Market was at 228, it is now a private residence.

Academy Street had Lakeview Dairy, John Dennis Prop. out by Silver Lake, Harry and Rae's Delicatessen at 203 West, Stasche Studios Taxidermy 34 East. Stanley Groff Seed & Plant Store was located where the senior citizen apartments are now, later it moved to the southeast corner of Turner and Academy Streets. Dr. Broslows Office at 21 West which is now a residence, started in the F.M. Pierce Home on the southwest corner of Broad and Centre. Centre Street had C & E Builders at 27 West Centre and All Season's Ceramics at 15 West Centre in the old Post Office building. Clayton Roofing And Siding East Centre. Maple Street had Kays Beauty Shop at 140, S & H Upholstry on the southwest corner at Pearl, which had been Leddon's Real Estate & gifts, and Joe Kille's store first, and Barclay Funeral Home on the corner of Maple and Broad. Other businesses on side streets were; Hayden Insurance Agency at 530 Belview, Stanley Sales Co. Jewelry & Watches at 164 East Howard, Clevengers Market, formerly Bill Steelman's Grocery at 30 West Clinton, Peggy Lu Beauty Shop at 338 North Pearl Street, Kolva Radio & TV Service at 49 Walnut, Jack F. Rudolph Private Detective at 102 East Linden, Harmon Bell and Son Cement work at 338 North Broad Street and across the street Ediths Beauty Parlor. E.C. Colemen's Dairy, Lacy's Dairy, Lacy's Beauty Salon, Ruth Ortlip's Beauty Salon all were located on the southeast corner of Pearl and Chestnut at different times. Some older businesses located on side streets were the Livery Stable in back of Doughty's and Sam Down's Saw Mill behind the Methodist Church. The Mule Barn was in the center of the block bordered by Main, New, High, and Centre where they made wooden shoes. The Potash Factory was located at the west end of Centre Street on the north side of the street. It was a two or three story building were they made padding from old cloth. Remains of the building are still found in the woods there.

Three stores that were located on side streets are each distinct in their own way. On the southwest corner of Academy and Broad was Stangers Store. It sat next to the house and was moved to Historic Smithville and is used as a tobacco shop now. The second store is located behind 156 East Linden, it was known as Reeve's Store and sold candy and groceries. It is the only one of these little stores still around in its original form. The last and most recent of these is Mrs. Bowers Store, which was located in the back of her house at 37 West Clayton Avenue, though the store and Mrs. Bowers are gone, the memories live on in the minds of all who went there as children.

My hope is that this article will jar some memories and lead to more information on other businesses that have existed but are now gone. If anyone has information please let me know by sending it to me in care of PO box 29 Clayton, NJ 08312.