Nicholas J. La Maina

Introduction

La Maina's Cafe, Newton Avenue, Camden — La Maina’s Cafe, Newton and Trenton Avenues

NICHOLAS JOHN LA MAINA was born in Pennsylvania on February 8, 1906 to Italian-born parents, Lawrence LaMaina and his wife, the former Rubina Gallossa. The LaMaina family, which included four older sisters, moved to Camden the same year, to at 402 Pine Street. Lawrence LaMaina opened a saloon at that location. He later acquired a cafe at Trenton and Newton Avenues.

The La Maina family operated the La Maina Cafe at the corner of Trenton and Newton Avenues for many years. During the Prohibition years, Lawrence LaMaina became involved in real estate, while Nicholas worked as a salesman in a shoe store when the Census was taken in 1930. He married his wife, Florence Helen Vellozzi, around 1928.

The LaMaina family moved their business to Delaware Township (present-day Cherry Hill) NJ, where they operated a tavern on State Highway 70 at Sayer Avenue, near the Garden State Racetrack, for many years.

Last a resident of Cherry Hill NJ, Nicholas La Maina passed away in June of 1985.

2 Burglars Routed From South Camden Home

Camden Courier-Post — February 3, 1933

Nicholas La Maina, Trenton and Newton Avenues, frightened off two burglars who were attempting to break into his home at 4:00 AM yesterday. La Maina told the police he was called to the telephone by a neighbor who saw the men trying to pry open his front door. He took his revolver and hurried downstairs just in time to see the would-be intruder drive away in a sedan. Both the front door and a side window were damaged.

Cafe Owner ‘Treats’ On Birth of Third Son

Camden Courier-Post — June 1, 1939

Nicholas La Maina behind the bar, 1939 — Nick La Maina, widely known cafe owner, of Newton and Trenton avenues, was passing out the cigars yesterday.

A new son, Francis Paul, was born to Mrs. La Maina in the West New Jersey Hospital yesterday. There now are three boys in the family.

La Maina’s Cafe Advertisement

Camden Courier-Post — 1938–1942

Florence & Francis LaMaina — 1940

Florence and Francis LaMaina on Newton Avenue, 1940 — Florence & Francis LaMaina on Newton Avenue, 1940

Florence LaMaina and Sons — 1940

That is my grandmom Florence with Francis LaMaina…the older boy is either my uncle Nicholas or my Uncle Larry. I think it is my Uncle Larry since they are 10 years apart.

— Terri LaMaina, February 2009

U.S. Navy Outside LaMaina’s Cafe — Late 1930s

U.S. Navy outside of LaMaina's Cafe, late 1930s or early 1940s — U.S. Navy outside of LaMaina’s Cafe, late 1930s or early 1940s

Important Note!