Historic Sign In Berkeley Comes Down; Locals Share Memories

BERKELEY, NJ — A piece of history came down. The sign outside the Bayville Liquor Store was removed Tuesday. The classic-looking sign sign stuck out on Route 9 longer than many lifetime residents have been alive.

People had different names for the store: Bayville Liquors, The Dinosaur or Dinosaur Liquors. Whatever people called it, they recognized the sign, which featured the words "LIQUORS" and "ICE COLD BEER" in big letters.

Steven J. Baeli moved to Berkeley in 1963, when he was 3 years old. The history buff shared a picture of the store that he estimates is from the late 1950s or early '60s.

See below:

"I remember going in the store, and there was a coin that was glued to the floor," Baeli said. "So little kids like me — or adults for that matter — would bend down and try to pick it up."

The front of the property now directs people to Spirits Unlimited in the Berkeley Shopping Plaza by ShopRite.

Patch called Spirits Unlimited to ask what was going to happen with the sign or the property. The employee directed Patch to corporate, who did not respond by the time of publication. Patch will update this story with any future response or public documents that address the Route 9 property.

Plenty of residents have memory and memorabilia from Bayville Liquors.

"Bayville Liquors was my favorite," wrote Laura Shaw. "The guys were always so friendly and they gave me good advice about wine. In the 80's they sold merchandise with the "Joe Bayville" logo on it."

"Use to love going there to see his dog he was so sweet to us kids," said Susan Spivey Adams. "Forget what his name was.. Such great memories."

Lisa Allison Clay shared an old key ring from the store.

"When I was a child Earl Neff owned the store and married my grandmother," said Cathy Hogrebe. "Spent many days there with his Dogs. Duke and Dutch. He let them loose when he closed the store. Security."

"I worked p/t at the "other" liquor store by shop rite," wrote Debbie Kipikasha. "We always called Bayville Liquors, THE DINOSAUR."

"I remember the ice machines outside," said Jane Burruss.

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