Of the untold thousands of Newarkers who
patronized Millman's during its 52 years on Meeker Avenue, most
came away with happy memories, and fond recollections of those foot-long
hot dogs.
Following is a sampling of brief recollections of former Millman's
patrons, ranging in age from early 60s to 90s.
If you have a special Millman recollection, please share it with
me. I will add those as appropriate.
Ben Lorber, West Orange, New Jersey
Just prior to World War II, I remember the many times my father
would close his grocery store at 50 Ellis Avenue in Irvington and
take the family down to Millman's for hot dogs. We'd drive into
the park and eat our dogs while sitting near the lake.
Lou Kleinman, West Palm Beach, Florida
In the late 1930s, many of us who lived in the Weequahic Section,
after seeing a show at the High Street 'Y' or in Downtown Newark,
would end up the evening by going to Millman's.
Who could ever forget the foot-long delicious hot dogs with sauerkraut,
mustard and relish, and washed down with a cold coke.
The parking lot in the rear was huge. Sometimes, after treating
our dates to dogs, we couldn't resist taking advantage of those
bleak dark nights on that back lot.
Barbara Rothschild, Penns Grove, New Jersey
As a small child in the early 1950s, I recall that on a hot summer
afternoon, after a trip to Weequahic Park, we ended up with a lunch
"nosh" at Millman's. To this day, I can recall the wonderful
smells of those hot dogs ... and the sound of whizzing cars coming
from the Route 22 highway above and immediately next to Millman's
driveway.
Irving Beim, Clark, New Jersey
Millman's was a special place for us when we went to Weequahic
High (Class of 1943). Many an evening, we'd head down to Millman's
with our date for a hot dog and then hang out with other kids from
Weequahic High. We'd listen to the juke box at the rear of the building
and socialize until about 10 o'clock. It was a great gathering place
in those years.
Seymour Pierce, Carteret, New Jersey
Going back in time to 1938, I remember going to Millman's and
dancing to the swing music from the outdoor jukebox there. I remember
my high school graduation "date" in 1938. I went to her
home to pick her up and was told to meet her at Millman's, where
the dancing was going full blast.
Arnold Schuman
We had an athletic club across from Weequahic High. We hung out
there, and whenever we felt like a hot dog, we'd head down to Millman's
or Sabin's. I preferred Millman's. It was never too late to go down
to Weequahic Park for a hot dog -- either just the guys, or even
a date.
Henry Braunstein, Vista, California
I remember back in the late 1930s when we couldn't afford the
Tavern, we went to Millman's for a hot dog. The hot dogs were delicious,
long, and cost only ten cents. I remember Millman's was open in
the late evening and they stayed open all year long.
Tony Wereta, Clifton, New Jersey
I lived inside the Weequahic Park Racetrack from 1949 to 1954.
For recreation, we traveled outside the Park to Millman's and Sabins
for hot dogs, or to the Tavern Pastry Shop for a cream pie.
Harold Faye, Union, New Jersey
I remember back in the 1930s when you could go to the movies for
ten cents. In those years, I would go to Millman's at Weequahic
Park and get a hot dog for a dime and then take a stroll around
the lake.
Adele Armm, Boynton Beach, Florida (Weequahic,
Class of 1941)
Every Sunday my friend and I used to walk from out homes on Schley
Street and Keer Avenue around Weequahic Park Lake and end up at
Millman's.
Bill Newman, Margate, Florida
In the years leading up to World War II, Weequahic Park was a
great place to go on a Sunday. You were sure to meet someone from
school (Weequahic High) or the neighborhood. We would usually wind
up at Millman's.
Herb Levenberg, Mountainside, New Jersey
When I was going to Thomas Jefferson High in Elizabeth during
the war (WWII), we'd pile into a classmate's family car every Wednesday
or Thursday evening and drive to Millman's for a hot dog. There'd
usually be five of us. We'd pool our money. We needed a quarter
each. That would give us 10 cents for the hot dog and we'd get 75
cents worth of gas. Gasoline was 19 cents then. We'd meet at the
East Jersey Street "Y".
William Helmreich (in book on Newark: The Enduring
community)
Two hot dog places vied for the affections of Newark's Jewish
inhabitants. For many youngsters, a day at Weequahic Park was followed
by hot dogs either at Millman's or Sabin's on Meeker Avenue. "Millman's"
and "Sabin's" were household names in Newark's Jewish
community.
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