Introduction
Owen Kernan was born in Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, Ireland on June 20, 1866. He came to American in 1886 and married MArgaret Finnegan in Philadelphia in 1891. He soon moved to Camden, where the first of five children was born in February of 1893. After working as a lineman, Owen Kernan went into the bar business, a trade he would follow in Camden for over 35 years, the last 22 of them at 200 Market Street. He first went into the liquor business in 1901, at 800 Fern Street.
At some point in 1903 he moved his operation to 1735 Broadway, a building known as the Flatiron Hotel, due to its triangular shape. In June of 1906 he took over the bar at 601 Pearl Street. During the summer of 1911 Owen Kernan bought the building at 200 Market Street. In September of 1911 he contracted with the firm of Graw & Reeves to build a three-story brick building at that address, which was completed in three months time. Owen Kernan opened for business in January of 1912.
Owen Kernan passed away on January 4, 1934. The Kernan family remained in business at 200 Market Street until 1956, when they sold they property to Campbell Soup, who took possession of the building on March 1. Son Joseph Kernan wanted to move the business to 223 Market Street, but was denied permission to transfer his liquor license, due to their already being three bars in the immediate vicinity. He subsequently sold the liquor license to My-Friends, Inc., who opened a bar called My Friends at 2643 Mt. Ephraim Avenue.
Photos
Camden Notes
Camden Post-Telegram —
Ed Welsh and Bob Peacock are now located with Owen Kernan at Sixth and Pearl [601 Pear Street. --ed.], and business is on the boom.
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Camden Daily Courier —
Mr. Edward A. Welsh, the popular Poynt Poynter, is again working with that popular hotel-keeper Owen Kernan, and the patrons of the place are glad to have such a bright and agreeable young fellow get the place, even if he can't pitch quoits with Hennessy.
Owen Kernan Buys Kolb's Old Corner
Camden Post-Telegram —
The propery of the Joseph C. Kolb estate at the southeast corner of Second and Market streets has been sold to Owen Kernan, of Sixth and Pearl given. It is understood that the place will be fitted up for a saloon.
Permit Is Issued For Kernan's Hotel
Camden Post-Telegram —
Builders Graw & Reeves today took out a permit for the erection for Owen Kernan, of Sixth and Pearl Streets, of a hotel on the site of the Joseph C. Kolb building at the southeast corner of Second and Market streets.
The Kernan hotel will be of brick, three stories in height, 22 x 77 feet in dimensions and will have twelve rooms for guests in the upper stories, equipped with all modern conveniences, electric light, steam heat, baths and the like.
Mr. Kernan today filed an application at the office of License Clerk John R. McCabe for the transfer of his saloon license at Sixth and Pearl streets to James Martin.
Owen Kernan Dies; Cafe Man 35 Years
Camden Courier-Post —
Church of the Immaculate Conception - Lodge No. 4, Ancient Order of Hibernians - Camden Lodge, 293 Benevolent Protective Order of Elks - Camden Lodge 111, Loyal Order of Moose - Aerie No. 65, Fraternal Order of Eagles