Introduction
Issie Brody.
Issie Brody was born in Russia around 1898 to Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Brody. The family came to America in 1907, eventually settling at 101 Chestnut Street, where Solomon Brody conducted a grocery store. Older brother Jack Brody was killed in action while serving with the United States Army during World War I. When the census was taken in 1920, Mrs. Brody had passed away. The family then consisted of Solomon Brody, Issie Brody, sisters Sylvia, Anna, and Vera; and brother Louis Brody.
In 1935 Issie Brody opened a car wash and detailing shop, an “auto laundry” in the parlance of the day, at 540 Washington Street where he also stored vehicles and performed oil changes and lubrication. He lived at 540 Washington at the time. Over the next 4 years he acquired a total of nine properties across the street, and in 1939 had built a new garage where he repaired cars and sold Esso gasoline, at 527 Washington Street, the corner of Washington and Williams Streets. The new garage, known as Brody’s Esso Service, built by John J. Welsh & Son, opened in January of 1940. By 1947 he had moved to an apartment over a ladies’ hat & bag store at 403 Broadway, a short walk from his business, with wife Mollie and son Ormond Brody. 403 Broadway then sat between Wallen’s Jewelry and gifts at 405, and Leo’s Appliances and Jewelry at 401.
Issie Brody remained in business on Washington Street through at least the fall of 1959.
Garage Supplants Antiquated Houses
Camden Courier-Post —
Brody's Esso Service Garage, 540 Washington Street, corner of Williams. Issie Brody, proprietor. John J. Welsh and Son, General Contractors.
Site of Washington Street Structure Formerly Occupied by Nine Dwellings
The new Brody Esso Service Garage opened for business at 540 Washington street, corner of Williams, yesterday. The business was formerly located at 527 Washington street. Issie Brody began business in 1935, operating an auto laundry, lubricating service and storing facilities. According to Brody, the demand for a service of that type in the heart of Camden’s shopping district soon exceeded his facilities and equipment. He purchased nine antiquated dwellings across the street, razed them and erected his new, fireproof garage. The building is in marked contrast to the former frame houses, and has improved the appearance of the vicinity.
With the opening of the new garage the business has been expanded to include high pressure car washing and lubricating, simonizing, repair work; storing facilities and automobile accessories. A call and delivery service will be inaugurated.
A number of Camden firms figured in the construction of the building. Louis H. Goettleman was the architect. John J. Welsh and Son were general contractors. The fabricated steel work and trusses were supplied by the Camden Iron Service, and the cinder blocks by the DiMedio Lime Co. Roofing was by Victor Biasi, plumbing by Joseph Mignona and electrical work by Joseph Radano.
Lumber and millwork was by the Colonial Lumber Co., Philadelphia.
A feature of the building is the latest type of Carrier gas unit heaters installed by the Comfort-Aire Co, 401 Broadway. This type of gas fire heater has recently been developed for garages. The heaters blow hot air toward the floor and maintain a nearly even temperature from floor to ceiling. They are thermostatically controlled to supply heat automatically.
The building is also equipped with Truskon bowstring steel trusses, concrete floor, steel window sash, overhead doors and asphalt roof.
403 Broadway
Fall of 2003
403 Broadway, fall of 2003. The building was razed a few weeks later.
Respondworks!
2004
In 2004, the Brody Esso building houses a “welfare-to-work” training facility, known as Respondworks! It is the New Worker Center of Respond Inc.