Sometimes history creeps up on you when you least expect it. Years ago, our project wanted to honor a small multi-generational store that had been around for generations. AND THEN IT WAS GONE! Not only was the business gone, but so were the memories and innocence that so many people cling to as part of their childhood. Who doesn’t remember their penny candy, ice cream, after school adventures and in this case, a man that many kids were afraid of. But this man and his story had become an icon that has stuck in our minds ever since. We bring you back to Bernardsville’s own Jerolaman’s general store.
A general store at 125 Claremont Road in Bernardsville had its founding back in 1908, but it wasn’t until 1922 when Andrew Germuska sold to James W. Jerolaman and became Jerolaman’s General Store. Mr. Jerolaman ran the store until Karl, began working at the store in 1945 upon his return from the Army at the end of World War II.
Featuring hardwood floors, a metal ceiling, a flapping green screen door and a rusty “Hershey’s Ice Cream’’ sign, the store offered convenience items, sandwiches, packaged goods, newspapers, smokes and plenty of candy.
Once Karl retired, his sister, Beatrice “Becky’’ Jerolaman Russell, ran the store until she passed in 2005 at age 86. The business was eventually sold to Bernardsville’s Hanson family where it was closed briefly, renovated and reopened in 2006. Jeff Hanson’s wife, Sarah, ran the store until September 2009 when the decision was made to close the book on the historic business.
Memories of a bygone era, the childish fear of Karl and the excitement being a kid walking up to Jerolaman’s penny candy counter is now but only a cherished memory.
The business was eventually sold to Jeff and James Hanson and their sister, Deborah Imperatore, of Hampshire Companies. It was closed briefly but refreshed and reopened in 2006. Jeff Hanson’s wife, Sarah, ran the store until the couple moved to Arizona.
Jeroloman Family
Mr. Jerolaman’s son, Karl, began working here in 1945 upon his return from the Army during World War II. He would remain a fixture behind the counter for more than 50 years. A 1932 Bernards High School graduate and a volunteer firefighter here for six decades. Karl was also a conductor on weekends aboard the Black River and Western Railroad which ran from Flemington to Ringos. Karl Jerolaman died on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2000, at the age of 86.
His sister, Beatrice “Becky’’ Jerolaman Russell, then ran the store from 2000 until her death at age 86 in 2005.
Curtis Gross (via Facebook)
“When we lived in the apartment above the store, I would go out on the fire escape and tie a garbage bag to my GI Joe and drop it over the side like a paratrooper. I used to love listening to Uncle Karl’s stories. I believe he lost his fingers in WW2 at the battle of the Bulge.”
But there was no doubt about it. Many people have stated how “old and mean” he was. Others stated how “he made me cry” and how he would throw kids out of the store. “Don’t leave the ice cream freezer door open before you selected your item.”
Karl would remain a fixture behind the counter for more than 50 years. Kids had mixed emotions about Karl. “Never leave the ice cream freezer top open trying to select what you want,” Karl would admonish them for keeping the freezer open. When asked why he didn’t give up the marginally profitable penny candy, Jerolaman replied, “I haven’t got the heart.” “If he did, every kid in Bernardsville would nail him hard.” But everyone agrees on one thing about Karl…
“He was a legend! Growing up in Bernardsville wouldn’t have been the same without him.”
Most Bernardsville residents
that responded.
Just a few comments, and we’d love to hear yours in the comments section below.
“Gonna be honest….he made me cry.”
Anonymous
Artists Love for Jerolaman’s Memories
Over the years, artists from all over the Somerset Hills have been painting Jerolaman’s General Store. There’s just something about the building, the windows, that Hershey sign, all from a bygone era. We’ve been able to grab a few paintings by artists who remember Jeroloman’s and would love if people can identify the art and the artist. Drop us a note.
“Bernards High School football team would have dinner at the now-defunct Pistilli’s restaurant, now the site of the Bank of the Somerset Hills, prior to its annual Thanksgiving Day game. Those dinners were always paid for by Mr. Jerolaman.”It was a well-kept secret but Karl paid for that,”
Artist and friend Mark De Mos
Jerolaman’s Keepsake Preserves Bville History – Limited Availability
The Mr. Local History Project recognized that the once iconic general store must be part of the wooden historic village collection. See the Jeroloman’s collectible as well as others from Bernardsville that are exclusively available online. A custom artist rendering on the front and the history on the back. Makes a great gift as well as they always bring back memories. As of this writing there are still a few available and will most likely sell out.
What Will The Future Bring
For this story, we had to stop by and see what’s happening and YES there will be something new coming to 125 Claremont Road. But it will never replace the memories.
Other Local History
I find your depiction of Karl Jerolomine to be offensive, arbitrary, and from a historical perspective, blatantly false. If you are interested in truth, if you need assistance with the proper methods of documenting historical facts, if you care about Bernardsville at all, IM me.
First, you spoke with no one who knew him personally, no one who has lived a lifetime here, no one who has also collected stories about Karl. He was a generous man, often kind, a huge supporter of all activities in our schools, while he quietly dealt with the PTSD that came home with him from a brutal ww2 experience.
There is so much more to the beauty of that store, rich with history and connections to 100s if not thousands of children and adults who frequented it. From the weight machine, the box young ones needed to step on to see the candy, his deep cooler that seemed to have no bottom, and the historical mementos and signage scattered on the walls, it’s all etched in our memories, part of a cherished childhood, rowdy teen years and adults who stopped in for a pack of smokes and a six pack on the way home from work.
Did you know the memorial parade was privately funded? Mr Jerolomen wrote a check for what the shortfall was for decades. That’s just one of hundreds of Karl stories out there.
I was at his wake and funeral. My daughter placed three caramels in his casket so he would have them with him always. He would always share them with her when we came in. She would sit on his stool, and he would get caramels from his private stash and ask about her day, especially what she learned in school. He was kind, encouraging, and gentle. Did you know caramels are his favorite candy? Just writing this so many emotions and memories flood my mind.
There have been several Facebook posts where bvilles kids comment about Karl, some scared, others amused, and some who knew the man himself, remember his dark humor, strong work ethic and deep love for Bernardsville. Robert Desidario can steer you to those Facebook discussions.
And you left out Becky’s son, Bob, a talented musician and veteran, who ran the store with his mother for years, taking over after her passing. He has since left us as well. The store was sold because the long days and schedule with few days off each year could not be covered by one person. Except Karl.
Mr Jerolomen is a treasure and a part of the childhood of those of us who are from bernardsville, no matter where we live now. And most of us long for a twin popsicle on this hot, summer day. Or the coldest beer in town. Or a small brown bag filled with several pieces of bazooka gum , a couple of swedish fish, a few jawbreakers, and, of course, 3 or 4 caramels.
During our research we asked for feedback. Not sure where you were but perhaps you can steer me to a more accurate story about the man, his accomplishments , or his life that was deeper than ours? I don’t think so. Some think he a treasure. Others thought just a crotchety old man, a very similar set of feelings towards the story we wrote about Irwin Richardt of Liberty Corner. To each his own. This is why we call it a retrospective. And you don’t need to know a person personally to write a story. We had plenty of feedback. Happy Independence Day.
Hello! My name is Maria Russell. My father was Bob Russell, son of Beatrice Russell (Jerolaman). I used to spend weekends in the store with my dad 🙂
I was in Bernardsville today and went by all of their graves (Becky and Karl, my father, grandfather and great grandparents), then went by the store…and stumbled upon this page as I relived the nostalgia through google searches. 🙂 Thank you.