You might have heard that Bernardsville, New Jersey, is on the move. Congratulations on your centennial anniversary in April 2024. To promote these efforts, they look to modern digital promotions, including a clever podcast called the Radio Tavern. The podcast is catchy, as it ties into a historic piece of Bernardsville and an area once known as the little Italy section of Bernardsville. Let’s take a look back.
In a seven-house stretch on Bernards Avenue in the late 1940s, there was a grocery store, a barber shop, a television and radio store, a tavern, a butcher shop and a launderette. On 64 Bernards Avenue in Bernardsville, one-half of the house sold radios and televisions, and the other half opened in October 1943 as the Radio Tavern. It became a neighborhood bar where older men would have a beer, grab a sandwich, play cards, or go to the backyard and play bocce. The area was coined “Little Italy” due to its residents, but there was a special place called the Radio Tavern. The new podcast series is named after this former Little Italy business.
Bernardsville’s “Little Italy”
Many have heard that the Radio Tavern was born from the long-standing history of Italian immigrants who came to Bernardsville and were all part of “Little Italy.” The Italian neighborhood was developed off Mount Airy Road’s south and west sides in the late 1800s. “They came to work on the estates of the Mountain Colony,” says Brooks Betz, researcher and local historian. “We are a nation of immigrants that came at various times to bring their skills to the developing estates of the mountain colony during what many called the Gilded Age.” Today, the area is known as “Little Paraguay” and “Little Columbia,” and the area has transformed as new immigrants come to Bernardsville to settle near town.”
Mill and Distillery next to the Michael J. Nervine pond. Something doesn’t look right.
The village stores specialized in Italian goods like macaroni, olive oils and cheese, which were not available at other stores in Bernardsville. Although the borough zoned the area for residential use in 1932, the rules weren’t strictly enforced.
Ricciardi sold the grocery store to his nephew, Joseph Cirillo, in 1938, and it would remain in business for another 11 years before moving his grocery store to the corner store near 5 Maple Avenue across from Sacred Heart Chapel, known to locals as Chapel Rosie. The building at 54 Bernards Ave. housed Bill Ricciardi’s barber shop. Cirillo’s former space at 52 Bernards Ave. became an expanded pool hall with billiard tables in 1947. It remained that way through the 1960s.
Another early business was a candy store started by Michael Velardi in the 1920s on Bernards Avenue near Grove Street. The store later moved to West Street.
The Sacred Heart Chapel on Bernards Avenue
The Sacred Heart Chapel on Bernards Avenue was dedicated by the Right Rev. James McFaul, the bishop of Trenton, on June 9, 1912. The white stucco building, bordered by rose bushes and a black wrought-iron fence, is located in a section of Bernardsville that was known at the turn of the 20th century as “Little Italy” because of its immigrant population.
The chapel was built by residents who served as laborers on the expansive estates of the Bernardsville Mountain colony. They were unable to pay the pew-rental cost or dress as well as the other parishioners attending mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on Seney Drive. In addition, they felt uncomfortable attending church there with their employers.
These historical tidbits and more are detailed in a 53-page book, “Recollections of Sacred Heart Chapel: 1912-2012, Celebrating 100 Years of Faith and Community,” put together by anniversary committee members back in 2012.
Interactive History Map – Zoom and Click
In the early 1920s, Andrew DeFilippis launched a grocery store at 64 Bernards Ave. The business, which hung assorted pots and pans from the ceiling, operated for more than 20 years. The building was sold shortly after World War II and became Santini’s Meat Market. John Santini was the butcher and offered “Italian hot sausage.” So in a seven-house stretch on Bernards Avenue in the late 1940s, there was a grocery store, a barber shop, a television and radio store, a tavern, a butcher shop and a launderette.
Several other businesses existed in Little Italy for varying lengths of time between the 1930s and 1950s. Among them were the Ferrante meat market at Bernards Avenue and Grove St., where Anne Ferrante raised her own livestock; the D’Amico candy store on Grove Street; and a clothing store at the corner of Bernards Avenue and Garibaldi Street, where a New York merchant displayed his wares.
The Radio Tavern closed in 1954 after DeFilippis sold the liquor license to Pistilli’s restaurant. Ricciardi’s pool hall was abandoned in the late 1960s and then filled by Yannaccone Associates, an engineering firm, in the mid-1970s. The Connoisseur followed in 1986.
Cirillo closed his grocery store on July 3, 1970, soon after his sister’s death. Atlas’ Market was the last to go, selling its liquor license to Wine Cellars in July 1983 and closing soon afterward. The building was demolished to make way for a small townhouse complex.
Fast-forward to today, and the entire area is zoned residential, and no storefronts remain. Word has it that a footbridge from this area will cross over the railroad, connecting to downtown Bernardsville. Special thanks to the Bville News for this research!
Lunches, Softball, and Cashing Checks
In the bustling community, the Radio Tavern became a favorite. Neighbors would visit the tavern for conversation, food, and entertainment. The Radio Tavern even sponsored a YMCA softball team. It was also noted as a popular hangout as the owners often cashed checks on the premises.
My friends father worked at the quarry and he said that all the guys would stop in at the Radio Tavern, because he would cash their paychecks!
Jimmy Vilade, resident
Who Else Besides the Radio Tavern was Selling Liquor in Bernardsville in 1948
1943 – 7 Bars in Bernardsville had consumption licenses
Traveling back in time, residents had many choices to go out and have a few drinks. While the dates are a bit in question, we have found liquor licenses being issued to the Radio Tavern as far back as 1943 for the Radio Tavern. This story is starting to tie into the story. We wrote about all the key bars in the area over time (see at the end of this story).
Research in Progress!!!!! The history is a bit tricky.
What Happened to All These Retail Liquor Consumption Licenses in Bernardsville
The number of plenary retail consumption licenses within the Borough is now limited to five, and the number of plenary retail distribution licenses within the Borough is limited to six; provided, however, that said limitations shall not prohibit the continuance of any plenary retail consumption license now in effect within the Borough or any renewals or transfers thereof in accordance with law. The number of club licenses issued is one license. The Bernardsville Town Council authorized the payment of $2500 (2006) and approved the licenses. Consumption licenses were issued to:
- Domenico Michael Florio. Colonial Tavern, 71, 73 & 75 Mine Brook Road, which went to Florio’s. Florio sold his license to Colonial 202. Florio’s Tavern was first located where Mastro’s shoe store was. Then to Christopher’s Restaurant. That license was sold to Eccoqui and is now serving as Osteria Morini. In 1933, he got the first liquor license issued in Bernardsville. It was called the Antler or the White Antler. Years later, they bought the property at 73 Mine Brook Road and built the building where it was and where Bistro 73 is today (BYOB).
- Andrew J. De Flllippis. Radio Tavern, 60 (64-A) Bernards Avenue, went to Pistilli’s Restaurant and then to? (Retail Consumption C-2) (some think it went to Somerset Hills Country Club)
- Jeroloman’s had a Retail Consumption license as well (Retail Consumption). Where did it go next?
- Bernards Inn Co. Inc., 27 Mine Brook Road (Serving today as Bernards Inn)- Retail Consumption C-3)
- Michael Ricciardi. Three Lights Tavern, 15 & 16 Olcott Square, then to Charlie’s Aunt (next to Shop Rite) Shaggy Shingle/Buxtons, then Thirsty Turtle. (Retail Consumption C-4)
- Roswell Reusser. Old Stone Tavern/Hotel, 1 Mill Street (Serving today as Ristorante MV) Retail Consumption C-5)
- Louis A. Germuska, Claremont Tavern, 121 Claremont Road, sold to Le Petite Chateau then today as Claremont Tavern) (Retail Consumption C-6)
- Philip Vallacchi, Wagon Wheel Tavern, 57 Mine Brook Road (to Vallacchi at the Town House, now the Station) (Retail Consumption C-7)
- Penn Brook turned to Shady Grove and changed to The Vine (Now Closed) (Retail Consumption license) – a proposed Mexican restaurant is proposed.
What Happened to the Radio Tavern
In 1954, after the Radio Tavern in Bernardsville closed, the DeFilippis sold their liquor license to Albert and Josie Pistilli’s on Route 202, which later became one of the most popular Italian restaurants in the area: Pistilli’s Italian Restaurant.
Many years ago when I was VERY young we lived at 60 Bernards Ave. It was a bar converted into an apartment owned by Andrew DeFilippis. My Dad bar-tended for Roz (Roswell) Reusser at the Old Stone!! I loved Roz!
KathY Fitzgerald
Radio Tavern Podcast Honors History and Community
In honor of Radio Tavern’s legacy and history, a few locals have revived the name with a new podcast called ‘The Radio Tavern,’ featuring interesting deep-dive discussions with Bernardsville shakers. The podcasts are recorded in partnership with King Willy Studios in downtown Bernardsville, New Jersey. Visit their website to learn more and listen in on Spotify. Maybe they’ll read this story and post a comment as to “Why the name Radio Tavern?”
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Greetings. I stumbled upon this article doing some genealogical research. I’m unsure if this is still active or how long ago this was written. However, the Ricciardi’s were the brothers of my great grandmother, Annamaria.
In the article there seems to be some content missing…right under the 1923 map…the paragraph stars…”Ricciardi sold the grocery…” Any insight into the context would be helpful!
My mom gave this a big WOW. She remembers spending time with them in Bernardsville.
With thanks.
Fun reading this article! My uncle’s (Joe Petrone) brother-in-law was Joe Cirillo. He had moved his grocery store from Bernard Ave to 5 Maple. Uncle Joe P was married to Angie (Cirillo) and lived above the store here for years! Joe C. used to give us candy when we went to visit. Of course the kids loved that! There were 2 other Cirillo sisters Rose but I Cannot remember the other.