Introduction
318 Federal Street, October 1, 1953. The bar operated here from 1943 through 1953 under various names.
Michael Jordan operated a cafe at 318 Federal Street during the early 1940s. His son, Private First Class James M. Jordan, died of wounds received in combat in December of 1944. The Jordan family had left Camden by the time the 1947 City Directory was compiled. The Directory states that Jack Sietz was the proprietor, and the bar was known as Jack's Grille. Jack Sietz and his wife Marion lived in Merchantville at the time.
The Camden Courier-Post of December 31, 1953 reported that the New Jersey Alcoholic Beverage Commission had permanently revoked the license of the bar, which was owned by the Merjack Corporation. The bar had traded as the 318 Club, but was popularly known in the neighborhood as “Marjay's.”
Midcity Taproom Ordered Closed Permanently
Camden Courier-Post —
ABC Revokes License At 318 Federal on Immoral Charges
In a rare disciplinary action, the State Alcoholic Beverage Control division today revoked the liquor license of a mid-city Camden taproom.
The City Clerk's office said it could recall only two other cases since repeal of prohibition in which a license had been permanently taken away from a Camden taproom.
The state agency revoked the license of the Merjack Corporation, trading as the 318 Club, at 318 Federal st., following an investigation by ABC agents. The saloon also was known as “Marjay's.”
The ABC, in its order of revocation, said the taproom had been the scene of “lewdness and immoral activity”; that “foul, filthy and obscene language” had been permitted; that female employees had accepted drinks from patrons; that women had been served at the bar, and that intoxicated persons had been served.
The various offenses, the ABC said, occurred at times when two agents visited the tavern—on July 8, Aug. 7, 8, 11 and 12, and Sept. 2 and 3, 1953.
“Considering all the circumstances in this case, and the multiple violations involved, the only proper and justifiable penalty is revocation of the license,” Dominic A. Cavicchia, ABC director said.
The ABC order, dated Dec. 29, took effect immediately. The taproom has been closed about three months.
The Merjack Corporation, which was represented by Carl Kisselman, Camden attorney, had pleaded “non vult” to five specific charges of liquor law violations, brought against the tavern by the agents who posed as customers of the establishment in July, August and September.
The nine-page ABC order contained written testimony by the agents concerning conversations they said they had with employees and women patrons of the taproom. Much of this testimony dealt with the charge that the tavern had been used for solicitation.
“The public is entitled to protection from these sordid and dangerous evils,” Cavicchia stated in his revocation order.