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Ocean’s Heritage, Spring 2013
Paul Edelson in 1954, at 17 years and 135 pounds, with his 1936 Ford--bought for $35 and sold when he went off to college two years later for $50.
I Remember . . .
Working on the Asbury beachfront The year I turned 14, I got my working papers and began my first career on the Asbury Park beachfront. It was the 1950s and the businesses in Asbury Park were booming. The shopping, the beaches, and the fun brought people by car, bus, and train to the city. Summers at the oceanfront featured the beaches, the amusements, nightly entertainment, and family restaurants. Along Ocean Avenue alone, families could eat at Michals, Mrs. Jay’s (now the Stone Pony), Steve Brody’s, LaBove’s, and the Miamian (in the Monterey Hotel). There were also small restaurants on the Boardwalk and near the theaters on Cookman and Lake Avenues. A 1950 city directory lists 125 hotels--average room rate, $5 a night and $15 a week. Walter Reade owned seven theaters in the city as well as the Monte Carlo at 8th Avenue which he billed as “ the world’s largest salt water swimming pool.” Parking cars for Uncle Irv
My uncle, Irv Edelson,
burgers, 30. We used Haydu hot dogs, fresh ground beef from the Bradley Meat Market, and Kneips rolls from their bakery on the west side of Asbury. We were open until 3 a.m. and people lined up until closing to get a hot dog or hamburger. Steve Brody’s Restaurant was “open air” ( no air conditioning). Families could get the “nightly special” for $1.25 that included soup or salad, entree, dessert and beverage. Tending bar At 21, I moved into the bar for the 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. shift. Five bartenders worked nights mixing drinks, tapping kegs, stacking bottles in the cooler, chopping ice, and washing glasses (by hand). We had Piels and Schaeffer beer on tap for 15 cents a glass and Pabst, Rheingold and Budweiser beer in bottles for 35 cents. Every summer night, Benny Saunders (piano) and Trudy Sullivan (voice) performed a “Gay Nineties Revue.” Weekends, customers stood three deep at the bar, singing along (even before karaoke).
had Steve Brody’s Restaurant and Bar on Third and Ocean Avenue. He hired each of his nephews as we reached working age. At 14, I worked in the two parking lots behind the restaurant. I was paid $28 for a 6 1/2 day week. (When Eddie the Iceman I asked about a day off, my In the days before ice uncle explained,”I don’t need machines, the key man Steve Brody menu from the Don Stine Archive. you in November!”) But since along the beachfront was locker boys were making $15 plus tips for a 5 day week, I “Eddie the Iceman” from Seaboard Service. Eddie worked thought I had a “good deal.” from 9 a.m. until 2 a.m. delivering blocks of ice to the bars We charged 50 cents a day to park during the week and and restaurants. He was the strongest man I ever knew. $1 on weekends. People preferred the lots to the street where Ask any of the Asbury Park High School football players they had to run back and forth all day to feed the meters. On who worked with Eddie to get in shape for the fall football busy summer nights we were packed, and cars were parked season. on the streets back to Grand Avenue. I learned to drive movIn the 1950s, summer at the Asbury beachfront was ing cars around in those parking lots! where the “action” was. And every kid who ever worked Moving inside At 18, I moved inside to cook hot dogs and hamburgers at the front window grill. Hot dogs were 20 cents; ham-
there came away with a lifetime of memories. Paul Edelson Museum President