Introduction
1400 Sheridan Street became a bar in the days after Prohibition was repealed. Frank Sliwinski was the licensee as early as 1939 through at least 1947, during which time it was known as Bussie’s Cafe. The bar was sold to two partners in the late 1940s, and was known as Martin and Owens’ Bar through at least 1959. The “Owens” was Joseph J. Owsianka, who had grown up around the corner on Norris Street.
The bar changed hands in 1960. By 1966 it was known as Tony and Rab’s Bar. It continued under this name through 1977. From 1977 through 1985, the bar was listed in the New Jersey Bell Telephone directories as the T&A Cafe. Another management change was reflected in the 1990 directory, when the listing was under Morris’ Lounge. Another change in ownership occurred in the early 1990s, when the bar was purchased by a member of Camden’s Jamaican community, and was renamed the All Nations Lounge.
The All Nations was open intermittently throughout the 1990s. The bar attracted an increasingly young and rowdy crowd, and owner Michael Clark finally stopped selling liquor in 1999, preferring to concentrate on their restaurant and take-out food trade.
1400 Sheridan Street came to national attention briefly when it was revealed that the sniper murderers, John Muhammed and Lee Malvo, were linked to the building, Muhammed having claimed to have lived there when registering a car.
Joe Owsianka Behind the Bar
Joe Owsianka behind the bar, with two customers. Late 1940s–Early 1950s.
My Dad, Joe Owsianka, behind the bar, at Martin & Owens. Dad was the co-owner, as Owens, with Tony Martin. The picture is from, I believe the late 1940s. The patrons, I believe were Ed Siedlecki and Al Vogt, two steady patrons until the bar was sold in 1960. The bar was at 1400 Sheridan Street on the corner of Sheridan and Pershing Streets. My Dad, Mom and I resided up on the second floor until I was in the 3rd or 4th grade, at which time they sold the bar. My Mom, Lillian, ran the kitchen, and I remember her hands being cut up from cleaning crabs! Wanda, Tony’s wife, also had kitchen duty, as did Tony’s Mom…Mrs. Martin!
—Linda Zombek, September 2019
2 Arrested In Robbery At Tavern
Camden Courier-Post —
Traced by Auto Used in Holdup At Whitman Pk.
Less than seven hours after five patrons and an owner were cowed by guns in a $69 holdup of a Whitman Park tavern, city detectives Friday night had arrested two suspects.
Seized were George C. Brownridge Jr., 21, of 912 Cedar street, a shipfitter’s helper, and Howard E. Farrell Jr., 26, of 313 Erie street, a painter. Both were charged with armed holdup and robbery.
Detective Capt. William Marter said the pair admitted rushing into the taproom of Anthony Martin and Joseph Owsianka, known as Martin and Owens, at 1400 Sheridan street, about 11 a. m., and escaping with the money after ordering Owsianka and five customers into an adjoining washroom.
One Patron Slugged
One of the customers failed to move fast enough and was knocked unconscious by a blow of a hammer. The others were trapped in the washroom when the bandits nailed the door shut.
The bandits were said to have been seeking an estimated $6000 used by the taproom owners in cashing payroll checks for employes of the Radio Condenser Co., Davis and Copewood streets. The money arrived after the holdup.
Brownridge and Farrell were arrested by Marter, Detective Sgt. William Kelly and Detectives Harry Tracy, Marshall Thompson and George Ellis after they traced the license number on the car used by the gunmen. Brownridge was seized at 6 p. m. as he left his home and Farrell 45 minutes later at his home.
Three Pistols Found
During the questioning of Brownridge, Director of Public Safety Aaron assisted the detectives. Marter said Brownridge admitted his part in the holdup and named Farrell.
Thompson and Ellis also announced they found a small tin box in Brownridge’s home containing a .38 calibre police special, a .32 calibre nickel-plated gun and a .32 calibre automatic pistol, all fully loaded. Marter said an examination of Brownridge’s car also revealed a rubber mask, pair of gloves and a hammer under the front seat.
Police Commended
Brownridge is employed at the RTC Shipyard Corp., Delaware avenue and State street, while Farrell is employed at Radio Condenser Co. The two men, according to Marter, said they obtained $69 in the holdup, with Brownridge getting $32 and Farrell, $37.
During the holdup, one of the customers, Stanley Nyzio, 30, of 1509 Norris street, who did not move fast enough into the washroom, was knocked unconscious by the blow from a hammer. He was admitted to West Jersey hospital with a cut of the head requiring seven stitches.
Police were commended by Aaron on the quick results in solving the crime.
3d Man Accused In Tavern Holdup Is Denied Bail
Camden Courier-Post —
A third man today was implicated by police in the holdup of the Martin & Owens taproom, 1400 Sheridan street, that was staged Friday by bandits equipped with Halloween masks and hammer and nails, as well as revolvers.
Held in Camden municipal court on a charge of conspiracy to commit robbery was Neal Long, 20, of 927 Endgard avenue, Delair, who police said bought the masks for George C. Brownridge Jr., 21, of 912 Cedar street, and Howard E. Farrell Jr., 26, of 313 Erie avenue.
Brownridge and Farrell, who were arrested Friday night, pleaded guilty and were held without bail for the grand jury. Long, who pleaded not guilty, also was held without bail by Judge Dzick.
The robbery actually netted only $74, according to Joseph Owsianka, part owner of the tavern, but the bandits missed approximately $6000 which was being brought in to cash pay checks for Radio Condenser Co. employes.
Owsianka told how he and four customers were herded in a washroom where, he said, Farrell nailed up the door. A fifth customer, Stanley Nyzio, 30, was struck on the head, when he entered the place during the holdup.
Owsianka said that Brownridge was wearing a mask of the comic character, “Goofy,” and that Farrell wore a Pinocchio mask when they entered.
Detective Capt. William Marter said Brownridge and Farrell implicated Long, charging that Long purchased three masks but failed to keep an appointment with them.
1400 Sheridan Street — October 5, 2003
1400 Sheridan Street — October 5, 2003.