Chestnut Bar
The Chestnut Bar traces its beginnings to Gustav Schwoeri Sr., who first appears in the directories for Camden NJ in 1890–1891. He appears to have moved to Camden from Philadelphia in 1889. The directory states that he was living at and operating a saloon and brewery at 705 Chestnut Street. 703–705 Chestnut Street appears to have been rebuilt in 1898. Gustav Schwoeri Sr. was also involved in the first brewery to operate in Camden. When Prohibition went into effect, the business went to bottling low alcohol content beer and soft drinks. Gustav Schwoeri Sr. passed away in 1929, survived by his son Gustav Jr. and wife Mary. He was buried at Harleigh Cemetery in Camden NJ.
The Schwoeri family remained in business, and after Prohibition was repealed, the family opened a liquor store at 700 Chestnut Street, while operating the saloon at 705 Chestnut Street, which was known as The Original Schwoeri’s. Mary Schwoeri lived above the saloon for the remainder of her life, passing on January 16, 1943 at the age of 90. Gustav Jr. managed the family’s bottling business. He and his wife, the former Mary Young, lived at 412 Carteret Street from the 1920s until 1946, when they moved to Pennsauken.
The Schwoeri family was still in business at 705 Chestnut Street as late as 1947 and at 700 Chestnut Street as late as 1977, and the liquor store is still open, under different ownership, in 2008.
703–705 Chestnut Street was sold to Richard D. Grayson, who operated under the name of the 705 Bar as late as 1966.
In 1967 Richard and Elnora Grayson of 603 Chestnut Street and Helen Grayson of 623 Chestnut Street applied for the liquor license to be renewed under the business name of The Chestnut Bar.
The Grayson family renamed the business in late 1966 or early 1967, and operated as The Chestnut Bar through at least 1977. After the Chestnut Bar closed, the license was apparently transferred next door to 707 Chestnut where “Deggy” Grayson was in business until the early 1990s. This bar was known alternately as “Deggy’s” and as “The Hole in the Wall.” In the early 1990s the Grayson family leased the bar out to different managers. By 1994 the bar had closed its doors once and for all.
The Businesses at 7th & Chestnut Street
Photographs taken
703–705 Chestnut Street was built in 1898. After the liquor store opened across the street at 700 Chestnut, the bar remained open, and was called The Original Schwoeri’s. It was later known as The 705 Bar and after 1966 as the Chestnut Bar. A bar opened some time after 1977 at 707 Chestnut Street. Known as Deggy’s and The Hole In The Wall, it remained open into the mid-1994. 700 Chestnut Street is now known as Eddie’s Liquors.
3 Businesses, Homes Looted On Weekend
Camden Courier-Post —
3 Businesses, Homes Looted On Weekend
Burglars broke into three Camden business establishments and three Pennsauken homes over this weekend and netted nearly $600 in loot, police said.
Liquor valued at $120 by Richard D. Grayson, 603 Chestnut st., was taken early Sunday from his 705 Bar, 705 Chestnut st., Ptl. Peter N. Paul and Edward Troutman said. An undetermined amount of money was taken from a juke box which was broken open. Police said entry was gained through a rear window.
An estimated $103 was taken from candy, cigaret, pinball and soda pop machines broken open at Paramount Billiards, 16 S. Broadway, according to Ptl. Nathan Kline. George Watson, 410 Carteret st., who opened the billiard parlor Sunday morning, called police.
Two Men Held
Two men are being held on charges of breaking and entering Martini’s Service Station, 4th and Main sts., Saturday night. Ptl. William Haines said 14 cents was missing.
Joseph Knox, 26, of the 1800 block Mulford st., and John Kenney, 24, of the 600 block N. 4th st., were arrested after a passerby told police she recognized them as the men she saw running from the service station. Hugo J. Martini, owner of the service station, said the place was looted and 80 pennies taken. Sixty-six of the pennies were found on the floor and pavement.