The Market & the Auctions
- Thread starter bobpbx
- Start date
I had just moved back to South Jersey from Maplewood in Essex County and invited 3 friends down to my home in Ventnor for a week in August, 1969. Wearing white bell bottoms and a skin tight green body shirt (hard to believe), the 4 of us took a bus to Atlantic City to try and "pick up chicks". Naive virgins, we cruised Million Dollar Pier and Central Pier. Too young to drink, Carl, Rich, Henry and I did our best to lay a line on any and all girls walking the boardwalk. I remember hearing "What Does It Take" walking onto Million Dollar Pier around midnight. A sweet girl agreed to walk down to the ocean with me. The dark of the beach and the roar of the ocean, hearing the music playing above, we shared an innocent kiss or two. An Atlantic City police officer walked out from under the pier shining a flashlight on us and aggressively asked me what we were doing "down here". I remember saying nothing I was ashamed of. Wrong answer. His reaction was nasty and swift and I thought I was about to be billy clubbed, but his fellow officer pulled him away. Mood most certainly broken, I waked with my friend of 15 minutes back to the boardwalk, said goodbye. More than fifty years later, I've never forgotten Junior Walker and The All-Stars and that song. And the pretty girl who walked down to the surf with me.
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My earliest recollection of going to Berlin Auction was the early 70's. My Dad & older Brother called it "Bug Alley".
Aherns has fresh fish all year. They also have a commercial busness that delivers to restaurants. They also have frozen fish that is not available fresh for the local market. I particularly like the Scottish Salmon and their Cod.
That brought back some memories Bob, when you mentioned Mahalchick! I was always fascinated by that place more so than Columbus itself. I put a link below, albeit Weird NJ, but there are some good shots of his treasures. I recall all of the military equipment he had there! I believe the steam train and short track now reside outside of Atlantic City Harley on the pike in Absecon? Always a question to ponder is how he got it there. I always remember a story my oldest brother would tell. He and his buds were into Harleys back when (he is 81 now and still rides) one of his pals had a 1945 flathead Harley that was military but modified. The engine got damaged and needed cylinders, where to get them?? hmm. They actually spoke to Mahalichick and he actually provided a front and rear pair of cylinders in military boxes wrapped in wax paper and cosmoline!! I know, sounds like the Jeep in the crate story, but it is semi-believable
Jersey’s Junkyard Presidential Candidate
weirdnj.com
All this brought to mind Danny Mertz' place in the Berlin market. Don't know if its still there, but growing up it was the go-to place on Christmas Day for those last minute items you always needed.
Interesting, they have a live view of the outdoor flea market. I'll have to look at it when it's busy (says's Bob, who will forget to look at it when it's busy).
www.berlinfarmersmarket.com
Live View Outdoor Market | website
www.berlinfarmersmarket.com
Good story Joe, I liked the cosmoline part. That's softer than the most common preservative used where I worked (P2, Mil-PRF-16173). Cosmoline is P3. P1 hardens to a black film that needs some elbow use to get it off.