Introduction
A landmark in Camden for over 30 years, the Baker-Flick Company store’s origins go back to 1866 when John F. Chew founded what evolved into a dry goods business at 216 Market Street. His sons John H. Chew and Christopher C. Chew both worked in the store. John F. Chew passed away in 1882. Christopher C. Chew took over the business after his father’s death in 1882, and by 1890 had expanded the business to 214 Market Street. After Christopher Chew’s death in 1899, his wife Jennie ran the business. The store was also known as Chew’s Bee Hive.
Christopher C. Chew took over the business, while John H. Chew established a shop of his own next door at 218–220 Market Street. By 1890 Christopher C. Chew had built a new building at 214 Market Street and conducted his trade out of both buildings.
On the night of November 28, 1898 the store of John H. Chew at 218–220 Market Street was destroyed by fire. On October 29, 1899 Christopher C. Chew died of complications from a gunshot wound received while serving in the armed forces during the Spanish American War. John H. Chew re-opened in South Camden, while Christopher C. Chew’s widow, Jennie Chew, continued to do business at 214–216 Market Street.
In November of 1908 the Baker-Flick Company was incorporated by George C. Baker, John A. Flick, and David T. Pyle. They bought Mrs. Chew’s business and erected a new building at 214–220 Market Street, with an entrance on North 3rd Street, which remained open under the Baker-Flick name into the late 1930s.
Partner John A. Flick, who took an active interest in the promotion of business activity in Camden, died on April 1, 1927 at the age of 47. Leonard Baker took over operations and was running the store in the winter of 1938. By 1940 the business had closed. The building was vacant when the 1940 City Directory was compiled.
The Golden Rule Department Store operated in the location for a few years afterward, but had closed by 1947.
Photos
Baker-Flick Co. architectural illustration showing the Market Street entrance and the 3rd Street entrance.
For 62 Years Faithfully Serving Camden and South Jersey
Camden Courier-Post — 1928
BAKER FLI[CK] CO
for 62 Years Faithfully Serving Camden and South Jersey
Camden in Need of Public Wharf
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Camden in Need of Public Wharf
City’s Business Men Will Petition Council to Provide Improved Waterway Facilities
The Executive Committee of the Camden Business Improvement Association yesterday formulated plans to ask City Council for the building of a public wharf. Merchants and manufacturers are under the handicap of being without any direct waterway facilities, and it is argued that with a suitable wharf the prominent freight lines would willingly agree to include Camden in their list of depots. Alfred K. Bennett, David Jester, Charles S. Ackley, Philip Wilson and Frank Devereaux were constituted a Docks and Wharves Committee to present the matter to Council and urge speedy action.
A Transportation Committee, composed of William E. Anthony, Dallas R. Cann, W. W. Hibbs, John W. Flick and Francis B. Wallen was also named. This committee will immediately confer with the Public Service Railway Company looking to the establishment of a satisfactory crosstown line.
4 Big Camden Fires in Six Weeks Bring Losses of $595,000
Camden Courier-Post —
Four fires in Camden’s business district within the past six weeks have destroyed or damaged a dozen retail stores, entailing losses fixed at $595,000.
They were:
| Baker-Flick Department Store | $150,000 |
| Toone & Hollingshed and five nearby retail stores and shops | $225,000 |
| Nell’s Haberdashery | $20,000 |
| Economy Store and three other stores | $200,000 |
Camden’s First and Oldest Department Store
Camden Courier-Post —
BAKER-FLICK CO.
Market Street—Near Third
The “Camden Centennial” marks 100 years of progress, and it is only natural that those associated with this progress should feel a tinge of pride.
This good old store was established 62 years ago, just 38 years after the founding of the city. From a small store it has grown to the enviable position of one of South Jersey’s Greatest Stores. Ever going forward to meet the city’s growing needs, is [sic] has set a progressive pace for others.
For 62 years it has faithfully served Camden and all South Jersey, never once losing sight of its obligation to its steadily increasing clientele, to sell quality merchandise at lowest prices consistent with that quality.
The Store That Serves You Best by Saving You Most
Fall Suite Sale
Camden Courier-Post —
“The Store That Serves You Best—By Saving You Most”
Baker-Flick Co.
Market Street — Near Third — Camden, N. J.
ONE YELLOW TRADING STAMP WITH EVERY 10c PURCHASE!
New Arrivals—Greater Savings in Our FALL SUITE SALE!
A Small Deposit
We will gladly set aside your selection on a small deposit and hold same for you until wanted. Or better still, why not use our Easy Payment Club Plan?
Free Delivery
We will deliver your purchase at the price quoted here. There is no freight to pay or express. These are the prices—set right in your home.
Camden Robbers Flee with $3,000
Trenton Evening Times —
CAMDEN, N. J., Aug. 15 — Five robbers obtained $3,000 in the hold-up of a Baker-Flick Department Store truck in the heart of Camden tonight.
The truck was taking a part of the day’s receipts from the store to a bank three blocks away. In it were Lawrence J. Castino, manager of the store; Joseph Beeler and John R. Casey, night watchman.
As it stopped for a traffic light, a large touring car drew up beside it and four men jumped out, while a fifth remained at the wheel. The robbers surrounded the truck, pointing pistols at its occupants, grabbed the money bag from Castino, and fled. Seventeen suspects were arrested in a police roundup that followed. All but two were released after questioning.
Stores Will Join in Bargain Period
Camden Courier-Post —
Merchants’ Association Announces Plans for Three-Day Event
A committee of the Merchants’ Cooperative Association, headed by Harry A. Moran, secretary and manager of the Hurley Store, has announced a three-day co-operative promotion which will be known as Camden’s Co-operation Days.
All merchants of this city have been invited to participate in the event which will be outlined in newspaper and radio announcements. City and store decorations and entertainment features which may include the personal appearances of stage, radio, sports and screen stars are being arranged.
The whole event has been arranged because of recent disclosures, resulting from investigation made by the local publishers proving that local industrial employment and business conditions have shown a decided upward trend in the city within the past several months.
The committee includes Charles Gates, Camden manager of Sears, Roebuck & Company; J. B. Van Sciver, Jr. of J. B. Van Sciver; C. A. McGrew, manager of J. C. Penney; Lester Abrahamson of Lester’s; S. Savage of Western Auto Supply; William Rothman of Barrett’s Tire Shop; Leonard R. Baker of Baker-Flick; Samuel Auerbach of Auerbach’s; N. Futernick of Futernick’s; Max Peck of the Fashion Shop; Simon Abrahamson of Simon’s; Michael LaSala of DiJulio-LaSala; Joseph Murdock, manager of the Stanley Theatre; W. L. Tushingham, business manager, and F. J. Kinsella, advertising director of the Courier-Post Newspapers.
Merchant Leaders Promoting Camden’s “Co-operation Days” Sale
Camden Courier-Post —
The above business leaders welcomed State Senator Emerson L. Richards to Camden yesterday when he sounded the keynote for the opening of the biggest merchandise sale in Camden in 20 years.
Left to right, back row: Cutler A. McGrew, manager of the J. C. Penney Company; Frank J. Kinsella, advertising director, Courier-Post Newspapers; Edward Callow, district manager Stanley-Warner Theatres; Joseph Murdock, manager Stanley Theatre.
Middle row: W. L. Tushingham, business manager, Courier-Post Newspapers; Samuel Auerbach; Russell Gibbons, Baker-Flick Company; William Rothman, Barrett’s Tire Shops; Joseph Kobus.
Front row: M. Futernick; Harry A. Moran, chairman Merchants Committee; S. Lester; J. Price Myers, and S. Abrahamson. At right, Senator Richards is shown addressing merchants at the court house plaza.
Sale and Demonstration
Camden Courier-Post —
SALE AND DEMONSTRATION COTTON BATTING. Miss Jenkins, educational directress, demonstrate the uses and advantages of cotton batting to all interested in the making of comforts in the home. Wednesday, Oct. 30th, 3 o’clock. Baker-Flick Co. See Adv. Page 5.
SHOWING HOW TO MAKE COMFORTERS. Miss Jenkins will demonstrate how easily and quickly you can make lovely home made quilts and comforts Wednesday afternoon. Oct. 30th. 3 o’clock. Baker-Flick Co. See Adv. Page 5.
THE ROMANCE OF QUILTING. A demonstration and lecture on the art of quilt and comfort making by Miss Olivia Jenkins, Wednesday, Oct. 30th. 3 o’clock. Baker-Flick Co. See Adv. Page 5.
Baker-Flick Sets New Sales Policy
Camden Courier-Post —
The Baker-Flick Company Department Store, Camden, today inaugurates a new merchandising policy announced by Leonard R. Baker, president.
“We have found it necessary and advisable with the changing economic condition to make everyone’s purchasing dollar go farther,” Baker stated, “and being located in the industrial section of Camden (Third and Market streets) in which our low rent cost is no small factor in saving the customer money, and in order to convince the public why they should shop with us, we have entirely revamped our merchandising policy.
“To accomplish all this it becomes necessary for us to eliminate all lost motion and to reduce all possible expense, and with this in view we have decided upon a cash selling policy, with deliveries only on furniture, bedding and floor coverings.”
It was announced also the store will be open tonight and tomorrow night and on Saturday nights until 9 p. m. Baker said “the merchandising policy of reduced expenses, advantageous purchases, cash selling at savings from 25 to 50 percent on fresh seasonable merchandise will be permanent and not confined to a particular sales area.
Stained Church Window Saved in Miracle Fire
Camden Courier-Post —
This is the seventh and last of a series of articles linking the history of fire fighting in Camden from volunteer days of 1819 [sic] to 1936. The series was published in co-operation with Fire Prevention Week, observed last week under the sponsorship of the Camden Fire Department and the Camden County Fire Chiefs Association.
When flames wrecked the interior of State Street Methodist Episcopal Church, Sixth and State streets, on January 11, 1916, a miracle was written into the history of Camden fire fighting. On the south side of the building along State street, is a magnificent stained glass window of gigantic proportions. It depicts Christ breaking bread with Martha and Mary, sisters of Lazurus [sic].
The flames, breaking out at 9.53 p. m., destroyed the organ on the west side, the roof and the Sunday school room to the north was wrecked. When the firemen extinguished the flames four granite walls stood. The window of the scene from the life of Christ had withstood the heat. It was not blistered, scorched or marred in any way. It has never been retouched [words cut by the crop seam] and still stands as a miracle surviving one of the most disastrous church fires in the history of the city.
Chief Peter B. Carter was injured directing the battle against the flames when he fell through an areaway between the main church auditorium and the Sunday school building on the north and was in the hospital several weeks.
Second Church Fire
It was the second serious church fire in the history. St. John’s Protestant Episcopal Church, Broadway and Royden street, was destroyed by fire on Christmas Day, 1870. The church was originally the floating chapel of the Redeemer and was brought here from Philadelphia and converted into a church.
Candles on the altar set fire to Christmas decorations and in a few minutes it was a pile of ruins, a “burnt offering to the Babe of Bethlehem,” the rector said.
The P. R. R. Y. M. C. A., Third and Mickle streets, was badly damaged by fire on March 1, 1932. The fire broke out at 5.33 p. m. and swept the interior of the building, which was originally the Third Street Methodist Episcopal Church, now known as First Church.
Other Serious Fires
Other serious fires in the history of the city were as follows:
Sitley & Son, grain elevator, Sixth street and Chelton avenue, April 23, 1905.
David Baird, lumber yard, Delaware avenue and Pearl street, 1.05 p. m., June 17, 1907.
Toone & Hollinshed, department store, Broadway and Kaighn avenue, August 8, 1915.
New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Broadway and Bulson street, fire in hold of battleship Oklahoma, 8.50 p. m., July 19, 1915, eight hours’ service.
Victor Talking Machine Company, river front, 4.09 a. m., February 14, 1918, sawdust conveyor, ten and one-half hours’ service.
Evanson Soap Company, Delaware avenue and Linden street, 8.17 p. m., January 21, 1919, six and one-half hours’ service.
Frank G. Hitchner, Fifth and Mickle streets, wallpaper showrooms and warehouse, February 19, 1919.
Baker-Flick department store, Market street between Second and Third streets, 1.21 p. m., December 1, 1921.
Toone & Hollinshed department store, Broadway and Kaighn avenue, 12.29 a. m., December 14, 1921.
Morris Handle department store, 427 and 429 Kaighn avenue, 12.07 a. m., January 18, 1922. Capt. Martin Carrigan, Engine Company No. 2, killed.
Frank G. Hitchner, Fifth and Mickle streets, wallpaper showrooms and warehouse, 5.32 a. m., December 10, 1924.
F. W. Woolworth, 550 and 552 Federal street, 10.29 p. m., November 23, 1928.
Campbell Soup Company, Front and Market streets, 1.31 a. m., January 15, 1929, ammonia leak.
Shulte-United store, 21, 23 and 25 Broadway, 2.34 a. m., December 30, 1929.
Sitley, Sixth street and Chelton avenue, grain elevator, 4.17 a. m., April 18, 1930.
Public Service garage, Starr avenue, 2.55 a. m., July 29, 1932.
Bolen Brothers, 23 and 25 Broadway, 12.41 a. m., December 25, 1932.
Martin’s, cleaning and dyeing, 222 Federal street, 2.50 p. m., January 3, 1933.
Curry and Van Fossen, 121 Federal street, printers, 7.16 a. m., January 29, 1933.
Samuel Bernstein and Son, Tenth and Elm streets, wool scourers, 8.38 p. m., January 20, 1933.
Linden School, Tenth and Linden streets, 8.46 p. m., February 11, 1933.
Taylor Brothers, Point and State streets, grain elevator, 6.13 p. m., August 22, 1933.
New Broadway Theatre, Broadway and Carman street, 4.22 a. m., April 29, 1934.
Bell and Evans, 551 North Twenty-seventh street, poultry dealers, 1.34 p. m., May 5, 1934.
Helped Other Towns
The Camden department has never failed to render assistance to other cities and towns. The department performed valiant work at Pennsgrove, Atlantic City, Gibbsboro, Collingswood, Woodbury, Riverside and Woodlynne.
The Camden firemen responded to a call for help from Atlantic City at 11.40 a. m., April 3, 1902, and fought a Boardwalk fire with backfire and brought it under control.
The department battled for nine hours a fire, which destroyed Woodbury High School. The alarm was received at 6.15 a. m., on December 19, 1910.
Camden went to the aid of Collingswood on February 26, 1913, when the postoffice, Masonic hall and an entire block in the business centre was destroyed and numerous houses were set on fire by sparks.
In response to a call from Riverside Camden joined in a fight against a fire at the Taubel hosiery mill on January 2, 1916. The alarm was received at 1.48 a. m.
The Pennsgrove Fire
The most disastrous out-of-town fire fought by the Camden department was at Pennsgrove on March 1, 1932. The alarm was received at 1.30 p. m. Fifty-seven buildings, mostly dwellings, were destroyed. There was a water scarcity and the blaze got beyond control of Salem county fire companies. Camden placed a pumper on the wharf and relayed water from the Delaware River to check the blaze.
In August, 1915, the department sent its motorized equipment on its first out-of-town call to Gibbsboro, where the Lucas paint works was burning beyond control and threatening to destroy the town. The town was without a fire company and the Camden firemen pumped water from the Gibbsboro lake to check the flames.
Woodlynne, without a fire company, summoned Camden to battle a blaze which destroyed Woodlynne Park on March 15, 1914.
On February 23, 1914, the department aided Collingswood in fighting a fire at the home of Burleigh B. Draper, Camden banker.
The department established a Fire Prevention Bureau on July 1, 1933. A training school for firemen was established July 5, 1934. A card fire alarm system was established on September 1, 1933, showing every company’s record, assignments and transfers.
The new fire alarm office on the eighth floor of the new City Hall went into service on April 13, 1934, with all new and modern equipment. The city has a total of 1574 fire hydrants, 331 of which are in East Camden.
The department was placed under the jurisdiction of the director of public safety with the adoption of commission form of government in 1923. The present commissioner is Mary W. Kobus.
When the department attacks a two-alarm fire the water pressure is increased at the city pumping stations. The deputy water chief responds to the alarm and the chief on the third alarm.
THE END