Jersey "Institutions" of Yesteryear...Ahhhh

[stevegoldfield]

I grew up in North Plainfield and remember nearly all the places listed in Rob's post except for the head shop. I moved to California in 1968, and my parents left North Plainfield in 1971. I have not been back since, though I drove by on Rte. 22 in 1979, I think. I would add to the list Buck & Bennies Sporting Goods, the music store where I bought my first banjo (I've forgotten its name but it was close to the Liberty Theater), the Paramount Theater on 2nd street, Muehllenberg Hospital, Licheé's chinese restaurant, and lots more.

[jobaba]

I lived in the city for much of my 20s and 30s but spent stretches living with my folks in Morris County.

I used to frequent the Borders and Barnes and Nobles on Rt 10 in East Hanover/Livingston and the record store near where the Best Buy is now (if anyone can remember the name, you're awesome).

Back in the day when I was young and I just had nothing but free time after work. I used to cruise there after work and just spend hours reading books, listening to CDs, buying and perusing CDs and DVDs and occassionally talking to people.

Now it's just work ... to home. And all bookstores and CD stores are long gone.

[G1..]

Just lost a big one "down the shore". The Circus Drive In on rt 34 in Wall was sold and demolished just this past year ,it was great!

[Rob Allen]

Originally Posted by stevegoldfield

I grew up in North Plainfield and remember nearly all the places listed in Rob's post except for the head shop. I moved to California in 1968, and my parents left North Plainfield in 1971. I have not been back since, though I drove by on Rte. 22 in 1979, I think. I would add to the list Buck & Bennies Sporting Goods, the music store where I bought my first banjo (I've forgotten its name but it was close to the Liberty Theater), the Paramount Theater on 2nd street, Muehllenberg Hospital, Licheé's chinese restaurant, and lots more.

That would be Gregory's Music Center where you got your banjo.

Muhlenberg has been closed for a while but was recently purchased by a company that plans to reopen part of it as a community health center and transform the old nursing school dorms into luxury apartments.

I don't remember the Paramount; it must have closed before my family moved to Plainfield in 1964.

[MisterStereoman]

wow...this thread itself is becoming historical!

here's one: the Elmora Theater in Elizabeth.
Used to go to their ridiculously cheap double features there, maybe in the late 70s or early 80s.
And a slice of kosher pizza across the street after the show!

[Retriever]

Originally Posted by MisterStereoman

here's one: the Elmora Theater in Elizabeth.
Used to go to their ridiculously cheap double features there, maybe in the late 70s or early 80s.

After they split that theater into a twin cinema, the extreme angle of projection toward the screen led to very disturbing visual distortion that made for unpleasant viewing. After one of those experiences, I concluded that it wasn't much of a bargain.

[G1..]

Miss the great clubs down the shore like Art Stocks "Royal Manor" or Jimmy Byrne's or the Shipp's Wheel. Parker House in Sea Girt is the only one left and the residents are beings ass's about it.

[G1..]

Pals Cabin in West Orange ,great place !