Fond Recollections of Former Millman Patrons


by Nat Bodian

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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