Seaside's Beloved Berkeley Sweet Shop Making A Return

SEASIDE HEIGHTS, NJ — For years, a trip to Seaside Heights was not complete without a stop at the Berkeley Sweet Shop for some fudge or saltwater taffy for the ride back home. That tradition was upended in December 2014, when the shop's owner decided to close indefinitely.

Indefinitely, however, ends May 1: the Berkeley Sweet Shop is reopening, the store's owner announced on Facebook.

The Berkeley Sweet Shop, famous for its freshly made fudge and saltwater taffy, had been a fixture on the boardwalk for decades. Patrons could watch the taffy-puller in action while they bought some of their favorite treats. The shop had opened in Asbury Park in 1910 before moving to Seaside Heights in 1948, according to a report in the Asbury Park Press.

But business was disrupted following Superstorm Sandy in October 2012. While the candy shop was spared significant damage during the hurricane, the shop wasn't spared a year later, when a massive fire sparked by an electrical short circuit swept north from Seaside Park, consuming eight blocks and more than 20 businesses, including both locations of the shop.

Owner Berent Hage opened a small temporary stand on part of the boardwalk that was rebuilt in 2014, but in December 2014 decided to close the shop indefinitely, according to a report in the Asbury Park Press, because of uncertainty about how his store would be rebuilt.

Rebuilding has taken place along the boardwalk, including significant work to expand Casino Pier. Members of the Facebook group Seaside Heights Boardwalk, who share memories and photos of both past and present, picked up on the impending return of the candy shop.

"Hey Guys. It is a FACT that the Berkeley Sweet Shop will be back!!" group member Johnny Coleman wrote. "It will also be the exact same as it was before only in a different location. I will be posting many pictures of this Seaside Staple along with many memories. This is REALLY FANTASTIC NEWS. Enjoy!!"

The shop's old Facebook page no longer exists, but a new one named Berkeley Candy announced the news:

"Berkeley Candy is opening a new Store on the north end of the boardwalk in Seaside Heights Between Fremont and Kearney Ave across from the lifeguard station. Come visit us and experience the candy that you have enjoyed for years. Grand Opening May 1st 2017."

Fudge photo by mackinacislandgal, via Flickr, under Creative Commons license