Loved Businesses Lost In Westfield – The H-GOAT GAME

How about a game? A fun game. A game that mixes history and memories and will take you back to the simpler times growing up in Westfield, New Jersey. We take two businesses no longer in town and ask you which one you like more. Then everyone votes. The one with the most votes moves on until we have one winner: we call it the Historic – Greatest of All Time (GOAT) lost business ever in Westfield, New Jersey. Sound fun?

To honor one of the greatest games, the Summer Olympics, the Mr. Local History Project has been researching lost businesses in Westfield, New Jersey. The game is being played on the “You Know You’re from Westfield” Facebook page, which honors lost businesses Westfielders knew and loved over the past century. If you’re from the area, we’d love to have you follow along and play. The game starts on July 28, 2024. Many don’t know Mr. Local History, who was raised and graduated from Westfield High in 1980, so he knows a little bit about the history of Westfield.

Congratulations to the Rialto Theater – Winner of Westfield’s Historic Greatest of All Time Lost Businesses.

Mr. Local History H-GOAT game Westfield Area Edition -The H-GOAT Westfield Edition CHAMPIONSHIP voting ended Saturday, September 28, 2024.

H-Goat Westfield Champion
Rialto Theater!

The Championship Matchup

Finalist #1: Woolworth’s of Westfield

The Woolworth store in Westfield, New Jersey, has a rich history that reflects the growth of the town’s retail sector in the early to mid-20th century. The F. W. Woolworth Company opened its store at 143 East Broad Street in Westfield in 1929, during the rise of five-and-dime stores across the United States. Woolworths became a popular shopping destination in the area, offering a variety of affordable goods, from household items to toys, candy, and small electronics.

The Woolworth store was more than just a shopping outlet; it was a fixture of Westfield’s downtown. Residents fondly recall its lunch counter, a hallmark of Woolworth locations nationwide, where people would gather for an affordable meal. Woolworth’s accessibility and range of products made it a staple for families, especially during the economic challenges of the Great Depression and World War II.

Like many Woolworth stores nationwide, the Westfield location struggled in the 1980s and 1990s as consumer shopping habits shifted towards larger discount chains and malls. Woolworth’s five-and-dime model faced increased competition, and the company began closing stores nationwide. The Westfield Woolworths eventually shuttered in 1997 as the corporation wound down its traditional retail operations. Though the Woolworth brand no longer operates in the U.S., its memory remains a part of Westfield’s history. The building at 143 East Broad Street has since been repurposed, but for many long-time residents, the iconic Woolworth store is remembered as a nostalgic piece of their town’s downtown past.

The closure of Woolworths marked the end of an era for downtown Westfield, as it represented the shift from small, independently owned businesses and traditional department stores to more modern retail formats.

Finalist #2: The Rialto Theater

The Rialto Theatre in Westfield, New Jersey, has a long and storied history. It has been a central part of the town’s cultural and entertainment landscape for nearly a century. Here’s a detailed overview of its history.

The Rialto Theatre opened on September 1, 1922, at 250 East Broad Street. It was part of the nationwide boom in movie palaces during the 1920s when movie-going became a major form of entertainment. The Rialto was designed as a grand, single-screen theater with an elaborate exterior and interior that reflected the era’s style. At the time, the Rialto was primarily a venue for silent films accompanied by live music, as was customary before the advent of sound in movies. The theater quickly became a popular destination for Westfield residents, offering a mix of cinematic entertainment, including Hollywood’s latest releases.

In the late 1920s, with the advent of “talkies” (movies with sound), the Rialto upgraded to accommodate the new technology. Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, during the Golden Age of Hollywood, the Rialto became a central part of the Westfield community’s social life. Residents would flock to the theater to see the latest movies, which often featured the biggest stars of the time.

The 1950s and 1960s were also prosperous times for the Rialto. As television became more popular, movie theaters had to adjust, but the Rialto continued to draw in crowds. Its classic, old-school charm and the appeal of movies as a communal experience kept it relevant in a changing entertainment landscape.During these decades, the theater began to reflect the evolving tastes in cinema, showing everything from musicals to westerns, thrillers, and dramas. It became a staple for family outings, dates, and weekend entertainment.

By the 1970s and 1980s, the Rialto, like many independent and small-town theaters, faced challenges due to the rise of multiplex cinemas and home video. However, the theater survived these decades by offering a mix of mainstream movies and special events, occasionally showing classics or indie films. Over the years, the Rialto underwent several renovations to modernize its facilities, including dividing its grand single-screen auditorium into multiple smaller screening rooms. This shift to a multiplex format was an attempt to stay competitive in an industry dominated by larger cinema chains.

George Karris managed the Rialto for over 30 years. Although the theater underwent multiple ownership changes during the 1990s and 2000s, it remained a beloved local institution. It hosted regular movie showings, special community events, and screenings, making it a cultural hub for Westfield. The theater’s charming marquee and classic architecture made it an iconic landmark in downtown Westfield, and generations of residents grew up going to the Rialto for their movie fix.

Unfortunately, after nearly 100 years of operation, the Rialto Theatre closed its doors in September 2019. Financial difficulties and the changing landscape of the movie industry contributed to its closure. The announcement was saddened by many in the Westfield community who had long valued the theater as part of the town’s identity. Since its closure, there have been discussions and efforts to find new uses for the Rialto building. Community members have expressed interest in revitalizing the theater or repurposing the space for other cultural and entertainment functions, though as of now, it remains closed. The Rialto Theatre was integral to Westfield’s downtown and social fabric for almost a century. Its closure marked the end of an era for the town, but its memory continues to evoke nostalgia for residents who remember its heyday. It was more than just a movie theater—it was a place where generations of Westfield residents shared communal experiences, made memories, and enjoyed the magic of the movies.

NOW YOU KNOW THE HISTORY…GO VOTE!

The Final Four

Coming out of the Elite 8, voters have made what we thought was a major upset. The Music Staff went down to the Rialto Theater, and people remembered The Play Fair with a major defeat over Clark Lanes. Congratulations to all the winners, and we can’t wait to see what you decide will become the Championship matchup.

Starting September 19, you can vote for JOLLEY TROLLEY v. THE RIALTO THEATER and THE PLAY FAIR v. WOOLWORTHS.

Meet Westfield’s Elite 8 H-GOAT Contenders

Congratulations to the eight survivors who have advanced from the original 129 businesses in the H-GOAT businesses of the Westfield game. The first four of the Elite 8 include Jolly Trolley, Roots, Rialto Theater, and The Music Staff. Clark Lanes, The Play Fair, Lancaster, Ltd., and Woolworth’s Westfield complete the round.

Don’t Get Stuck on Whether the Businesses are Similar

During the first round, we did try to have similar businesses to vote on. As the game advances, remember you are voting for the one you want to move on until a Historic Greatest of All Time IS CROWNED. The game’s intent is NOT to compare the offering of the bracket’s businesses; you vote on the one YOU WANT TO MOVE ON IN THE GAME. Throughout the game, we’ll post bracket challenges between businesses we’ve lost. To play, vote for the one you want to move on. That’s it.

Game Beginnings

What started as a walk down memory lane became an exciting research project about the history of businesses we’ve lost in the Westfield and surrounding area over the last 50 years. The memories that people keep about these businesses are fascinating to capture. Growing up is so much more than just playing around. There are these indelible marks on us all that we remember: bowling, getting ice cream, having a pizza, sitting at the lunch counter…..whatever. MLH played a similar game in the Somerset County towns of Basking Ridge and Bernardsville, New Jersey, and it was an absolute hit. So, The Mr. Local History Project presents the Historic Greatest of All Time Lost Businesses, or simply: The H-GOAT Lost Businesses – Westfield area edition.

H-GOAT Bracketology

To create our brackets, the Mr. Local History Project started by researching as many businesses as possible lost over the last 50 years. We then contacted the public to submit any businesses they felt deserved to be history’s greatest of all time (HGOAT) in the Westfield area. Finally, we grouped in similar fashions and created a series of brackets where people would vote. The winner moves on to the next bracket until we have a winner.

How You Can Play Along

It’s simple: go to the FB Page “You Know You’re From Westfield,” find the open bracket, and vote in that post’s comment section.

Round 1 Voting Closed Tuesday, August 13th
OVER 100+ Westfield Lost Businesses Narrowed to the Round of 39!!!!

FOR THE WESTFIELD EDITION, WE ADDED A FAN-FAVORITE SUGGESTION BONUS ROUND! People voted when the bracket was posted on the “You Know You’re from Westfield” Facebook Group. The businesses in GREEN moved on to the “Round of 39.” (usually 32). The entire game will now play out with the brackets listed at the top of the story.

Round 1 is the foundation of the entire H-GOAT game.
Over 2,000 votes were made during Round 1 of the Historic Greatest of All Time Westfield Edition.

Vote Count for Round 1 – Mr. Local History Project

The Westfield H-GOAT Field – The FIRST ROUND

Over the past year, extensive research has brought us the game’s 100+ participants.

We’ve listened to everyone posting a business they’d like to see in the game. The list is still changing as we evaluate the bracketology. As of Saturday, August 3, here is the list of the game participants: #lostbusinesseswestfieldnj If you like just one bracket challenge, you are in the game. Visit often and vote as new brackets are added. It may be easy now, but it will get more challenging later in the game, we promise. Five groups and a new bonus round will be held over the next five weeks. By the end of the summer, we’ll have a GOLD Medal winner!

Mr. Local History has identified over 600 Westfield, NJ, businesses lost over the decades.
Check out the article with all the names as part of our Westfield history posts. Click Here.

Brooks Betz, the organizer of the MLH H-GOAT, selected First Round Businesses. Betz lived in Westfield for over 25 years and is a trustee and game host for the MLH non-profit.

Arnold’s Restaurant,  Arthur Stevens,  Austers,  Bandstand,  Baskin’ Robbins, Block Island Breakout,  Brummer’s Chocolates,  Cameras Unlimited,  Castle Bootery,  Clara Louise,  Clark Lanes,  Drug Fair,  Dukes Subs,  Echo Lanes,  Elm Deli,  Elm Radio,  Epsteins Bootery,  Excellent Diner,  Friendlys ,  Geigers,  Greco Roman Restaurant,  Hahnes, Hand Feats,  Hickory Farms,  Hills Ice Cream,  J.S. Irving ,  Jane Smiths,  Jarvis Drug Store,  Jax Automotive,  Jay’s Cycle Center,  Jeanettes Gift Shop,  John Franks,  Jolly Trolly,  Lancasters Ltd.,  Leader Store,  Lindeman Buick,  Lord & Taylor,  Lucchesi Motors,  Made in America,  Marcus Jewelers,  Martins Jewelers,  McEwen Florist,  McHugh Inc.,  Meeker’s Garden Center,  Milady’s,  Moto Photo,  Music Staff,  Norris Chevrolet,  Norwood Auto Parts,  Oakland House,  Off The Record,  Pickwick Village,  Play Fair (Tiny Tots),  Ralph Evans Skating School,  Randal’s Shoes,  Rialto Theater,  Robert Treat Deli,  Roots,  Scott’s,  Sealfons,  Shades Sweets,  Sweet Shoppe,  Sturnagle’s Nursery,  Stuarts Audio,  Super’s Cycle Center,  T Shirt Emporium,  Taylor Hardware,  Teds Smoke Shop,  The Cheese Shop,  The Silver Mine,  The Sports Center,  Towne Car Wash,  Town Deli,  Towne House Restaurant,  Vance Florist,  Westfield Drug Store, Westfield Studios,  Westfield Twin Cinema,  Whalen’s Automotive,  White Diamond,  Williams Nursery,  Windmill of Westfield,  Woolworths,  Wyatt Brothers.

80+ participants in the Lost Westfield Businesses Greatest of All Time Game. Source: Mr. Local History Project

Special Bonus Fan Appreciation Round Held

Before we wrapped up Round 1, we listened to everyone who mentioned lost businesses they wanted to see in the game. So, three additional brackets were added. There are many choices, and THREE (one from each grouping) will be added to Round 2 of the Historic—Greatest of All Time Westfield lost businesses edition.

Food – A&P Supermarket,  Acme Supermarket,  Charlies Deli South Ave,  Colonial Bakery,  Dead Ice Cream,  Finast Supermarket,  Häagen-Dazs,  J&M Market,  Joe’s Meat Market,  Margies Cake Box (Plainfield),  NY 8th Ave. Deli,  The Sweet Shop,  Turner’s Deli,  Woof Gang Bakery.

Restaurants – Benihana of Tokyo (Short Hills),  East Winds,  Jade Isle (Scotch Plains),  Mojave Grille,  Raymonds Restaurant,  Theresa’s Restaurant. 

Services –   Barret & Crane Realtors,  Betz & Bischoff Realtors,  Clement’s Bros. Fuel,  First Federal Savings,  G.O. Kellers Cleaners,  Gillotine Salon & Haircutters,  Greco Steam Clean,  Lincoln Federal Savings,  McDowells Fuel,  Meryl Norman,  Nos Vino,  Pan American Cleaners,  Photo Mat (Garwood),  Pro Tour Cycles,  Ralph’s Amoco,  Station Radio TV & Appliance,  Williams Sonoma,  Z&S Stationery. 

Three Bonus Brackets were added to conclude the first round of the H-GOAT game’s Westfield edition.

Now You can “Wear Your Westfield Local History.”

The Mr. Local History digital team worked to create a complete line of digitized logos from past Westfield businesses that we call our “Wear Local History Collection. Over 50 logos from Westfield, Route 22, Cranford, and more – Check them out here. Dozens of logos are grouped into our Westfield & Cranford collection.

We Will Reach Gold!

Bracket challenges will start loading on Sunday, July 29, 2024, and run throughout the Summer. Voting occurs on the “You Know You’re From Westfield” Facebook page.

Don’t Use Facebook? We Have a Way to Follow Along

If you don’t have Facebook and want to follow along, visit Mrlocalhistory.org and search for our free Gossip Page.

So? What are the Oldest Businesses Still Operating in Westfield, New Jersey?

Many Westfielders during the game asked, “What is the oldest business in Westfield that’s still operating? During our research, MLH also found several Westfield businesses that have SURVIVED World Wars, Depressions, COVID-19, and economic downturns. For reference, we added a few government-funded organizations. While they are public institutions, they don’t qualify as private businesses, but we wanted them here for reference. The MLH H-GOAT Westfield Edition Ironman Awards go to the following:

WESTFIELD BUSINESS	FOUNDED
Ferrero’s Pizza	1971
Towne Book Store	1963
Infantino Disposal.	1945
Elm Radio & Appliance	1943
Brummer Opticians	1934
Jarvis Lunchette & Pharmacy	1929
Westfield YMCA	1923
WHS Hi’s Eye Newspaper	1923
Rialto Theater	1922
Echo Lake Country Club	1921
McIntyres Lawnmower Shop	1920
Holy Trinity Private School	1916
Dooley Funeral Home	1913
Grey Funeral Home	1910
Westfield Police Department	1903
Westfield Leader	1890
Weldon Concrete	c1890
Westfield Fire Department	1875
Westfield Public Library	1873
Fairview Cemetery	1868
Town of Westfield	1794
Presbyterian Church	1720

More MLH Westfield History

Wearing Lost Westfield Area Businesses is Fun History

Westfield’s Lost Business List Is Largest Ever Assembled

Vote for Westfield’s Most Historic Icons

Fundraiser: Preserving Westfield NJ History with Keepsakes

Egypt Hill, Brown’s Pond and The Great Loves of My Childhood in Westfield, New Jersey