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Frank's Cafe

Camden Bar — South 4th Street
1135–1137 South 4th Street

Introduction

1135–1137 South 4th Street was operating as a saloon as early as 1918. Charles S. Ricco was the proprietor in the years 1918 through 1921. Frank Auletto, who had previously operated the bar at 252 Kaighn Avenue, first appears as operating 1135–1137 South 4th Street in 1929. He was involved in the bar through at least 1939. During these years the establishment was known as Frank’s Cafe. The 1940 Camden City Directory shows his wife Elizabeth Auletto as the bar owner.

Frank Auletto had moved to Audubon, NJ by 1959. He resided there until his passing in 1974, shortly after his 79th birthday.

Benjamin Richmond appears in the 1947 Camden City Directory and was also listed as running the bar in the 1956 New Jersey Bell Telephone Directory. The 1959 Telephone Directory shows that the bar was then called Johnny’s Cafe, and it remained so through at least 1967. The bar was renamed once again, and by 1970 was known as Playgirls.

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Taproom License Transfer Allowed

Camden Courier-Post

Camden Courier-Post, October 21, 1936 — Taproom License Transfer Allowed, part 1 Camden Courier-Post, October 21, 1936 — Taproom License Transfer Allowed, part 2

Nearby Proprietor Protests Designation of ‘Original Rudolph’ on Sign

Transfer of a taproom license at 1705 Broadway from Theodore F. Bergerson to Sullivan Goncharoff was granted last night by the Camden Excise Board.

Howard Kulp, attorney, protested the transfer pending the removal of a sign designating “The Original Rudolph.” Kulp appeared for Harry Rudolph, proprietor of a nearby taproom.

Edward V. Martino, counsel for the board, ruled the excise board had no jurisdiction in the case. He advised Kulp it was a matter for Chancery Court.

Frances Auletto, proprietor of a taproom at 1135 South Fourth street, was reprimanded for the alleged sale of diluted liquor and warned he would be held responsible for the proper branding of all liquor sold in his establishment. Auletto was given a hearing recently on complaint of ABC agents. At that time he testified a bartender must have been responsible for the dilution.

Barney B. Brown, attorney representing 40 petitioners, protested the transfer of a license held by Ray Munyan, 3125 River avenue, to 3425 River avenue. The petitions were received and filed. Brown was informed the request for the transfer had not been placed with the board.

27 Mild Padlocks Provided In U.S. Court Rules by Avis

Camden Courier-Post

Camden County Padlocks

Probationary padlocks of one year were ordered by Judge Avis for the following establishments: Frank Auletto, as proprietor; William J. Stettler, bartender; Rebecca Friedenberg and Lena Teitelman, owners, 1135 and 1137 South Fourth Street, $1000 bond; William Barr, proprietor; George E. Stone, bartender; Marion R. Klump, owner, 11 South Third Street, $1000 bond; Annabale Corda, proprietor and owner; Mary Corda, employee, 1104 South Fourth Street, $1000 bond; Anthony and Stanley Knast, owners, 7807 East Park Avenue, Pennsauken, $1000 bond; Oliver Smith, proprietor; Thomas “Bluch” Golding; Bertha Golding, owner, 1726 Master Street, $1000 bond; Big Ed’s Place; Edward W. Williams, proprietor; William J. Dolan, bartender, 623 Pearl Street, $1000 bond.

Conrad Lambert, 44, of 1427 South Ninth Street, Camden, pleaded guilty to possession of liquor and was fined $35.

Frank Tischner, 1244 Cambridge Street, pleaded guilty to possession and nuisance and sentence was deferred until June 19.

Frank H. Poole, 1400 Rose Street, pleaded guilty to possession and maintaining a nuisance and was fined $35. James Rodgers, 1000 Segal Street, pleaded guilty to possession and maintaining a nuisance. Agents said he conducted a speakeasy and he was fined $10 and given 10 days in jail.

Harry Getty, 48, of 29 North Third Street, Camden, was fined $35 for possession of beer and maintaining a nuisance. A fine of $25 was imposed upon Charles H. Lee, 30, of 1565 Mt. Ephraim Avenue, Camden, when he pleaded guilty to possession and nuisance charges. Annibale Corda, 35, of 1104 South Fourth Street, Camden, was fined $10 when he pleaded guilty to charges of possession of liquor and maintenance of a nuisance.

Walenty Szczepankiewicz, 63, of 1621 Mt. Ephraim Avenue, was given a 45-day jail term and fined $25 when he pleaded guilty to possession and nuisance charges. His son, Edward, 19, was freed on a suspended sentence and placed on probation for six months on similar charges.

John Baronkin, 669½ Van Hook Street, Camden, was given a suspended sentence upon pleading guilty to possession of liquor, after his attorney pleaded he was keeping a wife, child and an ill mother.

A bench warrant was issued for Mike Britto, of 112 North Delaware Avenue, and bail of $500 was ordered forfeited when he failed to answer charges of possession and maintaining a nuisance.

Frank Cipriani, of 713 South Third Street, Camden, was sent to jail for 10 days and fined $1 when he pleaded guilty to possession and nuisance charges. His attorney said he was a prosperous South Camden business man who lost his holdings in the depression and has six children to support.

Lawrence L. Murphy, 33, of 552 Haddon Avenue, Camden, was fined $25 when he pleaded guilty to possession of two jugs of liquor. He was arrested February 10 with the liquor in his possession.

William Deroncone, 38, of 520 South Second Street, Camden, was given five days in jail and fined $1. He pleaded guilty to possession of a half pint of liquor in his cigar store.

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