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Friday, October 26, 2012

1940: BERNIE'S HEALTH CENTER

Of course, this graphic would make you wonder if there is a relationship with today's locally noted bicycle shop on Route 33 in Mercerville. Perhaps someone who knows Bernie's family can tell us about this interesting establishment.

5 comments:

Michael said...

Tom:
The "Bernie's Bike shop that I know of was owned by the Knapp family. Dick knapp was is a friend, and classmate of mine in that outstanding class of THS 52. We recently held our 60 reunion with over 100 members of the class and thier spouses attending.
Dick took over Bernie's almost out of high school, and operated for years on No.Olden Ave, across from the Carvel Custard Stand. Upon retirement, he sold the business to an employee who moved it I believe to Princeton Ave. in the old Charles D. Heavy Bldg. Where Princeton Ave. splits off to the Brunswick Circle.
Most I can tell you with my limted memory.

Mike Kuzma

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM...I RECALL BERNIE'S HEALTH CENTER AS BOWLING ALLEYS BACK THEN. I BELIEVE IT WAS TURNED INTO CEDAR GARDENS RESTAURANT BY FRANK AGABITI SOON AFTER. WE WERE COSIDERING THE ADJOINING GROUND FOR OUR HAMILTON BOWLING LANES IN THE 50'S BUT COULD'NT COME TO AN AGREEMENT WITH ARMONDO CONTE. MARTY LEVINE WAS ASSOCIATED WITH BERNIES. WE WANTED THE BOWLING LANES ON ROUTE 33, SO SETTLED UP THE ROAD, ACROSS FROM TONY CAL'S RESTAURANT. EVERYONE WERE QUITE SURPRISED THAT 2 MAILMEN WERE ABLE TO TO TAKE ON SUCH A PROJECT, BUT WE MANAGED TO DO IT. BEST REGARDS

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

IT SEEMS I ALSO RECALL A MEN'S SHOP IN THAT LOCATION ALONG WITH A LIQUOR STORE RUN BY THE AGABITIS. MARTY LAVINE, WHO MANAGED THE BOWLING ALLEYS ALSO HAD HIS OWN BUSINESSS AND WAS VERY ACTIVE IN THE Y.M.H.A, REGARDS

Ron Bound said...

Ralph, so glad you made the bowling alley happen. I always had to hitchhike to get there, in the early days, but would get a ride home.

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HEY RON...LOUIE LUCARELLA REMEMBERS YOU VERY WELL FROM THE HAMILTON LANES. YOU WERE AMONG A GROUP THAT SUPPORTED BOWLING IN HAMILTON AND WE WERE VERY GRATEFUL. FRANK AGABITI'S SONS RAMON, CHESTER AND ALBERT WERE VERY ACTIVE IN THAT SECTION THAT WAS ONCE BERNIE'S HEALTH CENTER. I HOPE YOU ALL CAME OUT OF THAT BAD STORM O.K. BEST REGARDS.