Marty's Olde Tappe House
Martin Segal & Joseph Siegle
The Olde Tappe House at 1990 Federal Street was founded by two brothers, Martin Segal and Joseph Seigle. Joseph Seigle’s granddaughter, Karen Bender, wrote in 2018: “Joseph Seigle was my grandfather… Since my great grandparents could not spell in English, each was given a different spelling at some point.”
Martin Segal and his brother got into the bar business in the 1920s. The first ventures proved difficult. In April of 1925 Martin Segal operated a bar at 1504–1506 Federal Street, which was raided twice by Camden police looking for alcohol, which was found. He was raided at that location at least two more times in 1925, but no liquor was found. He was denied a license in 1927. In 1928 he applied for and received a license to operate at 2046 Federal Street. Martin and Joseph operated at that address into 1931. That year they opened up for business at 1990 Federal Street, a property that had been remodeled and turned into a bar by Owen Kernan in 1930. Martin Segal took an interest in politics that culminated with his election to the office of Sheriff of Camden County in 1956, a post he was re-elected to four times by overwhelming majorities and from which he retired in February of 1972. After his election as Sheriff, Martin Segal sold his interest in the bar to his brother Joseph Siegle, with the license application for liquor license transfer being submitted at the end of 1956.
Joseph Seigle operated the bar successfully for a decade. He enjoyed a special relationship with the C. Schmidt and Sons brewery of Philadelphia, which had a distributorship at 1999 Federal Street, directly across the street from the bar. He sold the bar to Hyman Karpowitz, of Pennsauken, New Jersey, who renamed it The Towers Bar, and was in business there as late as 1979. The building was demolished sometime after an armed robbery at the bar in 1979, with the liquor license being sold and transferred to another location in 1983.
Camden Courier-Post — December 24, 1931
Merry Christmas Greetings — Martin Segal, 1990 Federal, Camden
Camden Courier-Post — Evening Courier — June 4, 1933
Freed in One Robbery, Arrested for Another
A suspect, released a week ago in connection with the $11,000 Camden Radio Condenser Company holdup, was rearrested Saturday and held in $3000 bail on a charge of robbing an East Camden bar.
The accused is Stanley Powell, 26, of 1256 Whitman Avenue, alleged to have stolen, with the help of two other men of unknown identity, a marble machine and 100 cigars from Marty’s Olde Tappe Room, operated at 1990 Federal Street by Marty Segal.
Powell pleaded not guilty.
City Detective George Zeitz testified that he learned that Powell’s new expensive car had been seen near the taproom early on Thursday, when the robbery occurred. Zeitz said he obtained this information after Powell had been quizzed and released in the radio firm holdup.
Upon further investigation, Zeitz asserted, he found a witness, Daniel Danter, 1985 Carman Street, who allegedly saw Powell and two other men carrying “something” from the store and loading it in the car. Zeitz, according to Zeitz, identified Powell. Elwood Cox, of 1981 Carman Street, is alleged by Zeitz to have seen Powell’s car in that neighborhood on the morning of the robbery, but didn’t know any of the men in it.
Acting Police Judge James Smith fixed the amount of bail.
Camden Courier-Post — December 19, 1956
NOTICE OF APPLICATION
Take notice that application has been made to the Municipal Board of Alcoholic Beverage Control of the City of Camden to transfer to Joseph E. Seigle, trading as Marty’s Olde Tappe House, for premises situated at 1990 Federal Street, Camden, New Jersey, the plenary retail consumption license #C-83, heretofore issued to Martin Segal, trading as Marty’s Olde Tappe House, for premises situated at 1990 Federal Street, Camden, New Jersey.
Objections, if any, should be made immediately in writing to John T. Odorisio, City Clerk of the City of Camden, New Jersey.
MARTIN SEGAL, 2252 Baird Boulevard, Camden, N. J. ($11.34)
Joseph Siegle — 1959
Joseph Siegle — 1959
Retailer Spots — The May 1959 Case
The Camden, New Jersey, branch of C. Schmidt & Sons is located at 1999 Federal Street. Joe Seigle has operated a tavern for over twenty-five years directly across the street. This could be called the Brewery Tavern of Camden, for Joe enjoys a good steady trade with the employees of Schmidt’s of New Jersey. The number one beer on tap is of course, Schmidt’s.
For some years, Joe and his brother, Martin, were in partnership in the business but Martin became interested in local politics and finally had to pull out due to a lack of time. At the present time he is serving as Sheriff of Camden County. His location in a fine shopping area and on a heavily traveled highway, brings Joe a good all around trade, both neighborhood and transient.
Aside from his location, Joe has a personal association with the brewery. His daughter, Elaine, is married to Dr. Charlie Bender, who is presently interning at Grand Rapids, Michigan. While attending medical school, Dr. Bender worked as a summer replacement in the Schmidt’s Bottle House. Dr. Bender expects to practice in Florida. This arrangement pleases Joe and his wife, Esther, no end, for Florida is their favorite vacation spot and this will give them a chance to visit with their two lovely grandchildren more often.
This is a fine association we have had over the years with Joe Seigle and we certainly look forward to a continued partnership selling “beer as beer should be.”
Camden Courier-Post — March 8, 1966
Transfer Okayed For Bar License
The transfer of the liquor license of Seigle’s Bar, 1990 Federal Street, was approved last night by the Camden Alcoholic Beverage Commission. The license was transferred from Joseph Seigle to Hyman Karpowitz of Pennsauken.