2023 Memorial Day Issue

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HISTORY A Beacon in the Styx by MARTY KANE Photos courtesy of the LAKE HOPATCONG HISTORICAL MUSEUM This spring I learned that, after a 21-year run, Mario Ferra sold Pavinci Italian Grill to three partners who already own two pubstyle restaurants in Manhattan. Renovations to the River Styx location are expected to be completed shortly and include a new deck and remodeled interior. The new establishment will be known as The Beacon and continues the evolution of this location, which has been home to several popular long-term businesses over many years. River Styx Cove was sparsely developed in 1906 when Martin Kjellman established a houseboat as a refreshment stand. The August 11, 1906 edition of the Lake Hopatcong Breeze reported that “the house boat [sic] on the Styx is pictured on souvenir postcards. Martin Kjellman, the Captain, does his utmost toward keeping the Styx dwellers cool.” A 1908 advertisement bills the houseboat as “the most unique and popular place on the lake for all kinds of refreshments, such as ice cream, fancy biscuits, orangeade, soft drinks … Cigars, tobacco and souvenir postals for sale.” To convince boat owners that River Styx Cove was not too shallow to navigate, early ads for the houseboat noted “water deep enough for launches.” Kjellman’s idea proved successful, and his business grew. The June 29, 1912 edition of the Breeze reported that “the houseboat on the Styx is no more. It has changed into something better and more beautiful, as a butterfly comes forth from its chrysalis. It is now the Pagoda, which the dictionary informs us means a Hindu temple. The Pagoda in the Styx is indeed a temple of pleasure.” The article further noted that “the structure with its wide porches, white columns and unique roof makes a pretty picture and is well worth a visit in itself to say nothing of the dainty refreshments served there for a consideration by the busy hands of Mrs. Kjellman.” While the Breeze reporter may have been a bit confused about the architectural style of the River Styx pagoda, one can imagine how surprised visitors arriving for the 1912 season were to see this new structure. How odd it must have seemed to enjoy a refreshment in this Asian-inspired building while looking across River Styx at the imposing hotel Castle Edward, built to resemble a European castle. The early Pagoda offered useful items such as film and postcards, along with Schrafft’s chocolates and Viedt’s ice cream served on an open-air porch. The porch was enclosed, and an addition was built during the 1920s and 1930s to create a luncheonette and soda fountain. By 1940, the Pagoda added a swimming dock, housed the post office, offered bungalows for lease and became a popular spot to rent boats and canoes, while still maintaining the lunch counter and soda fountain. During this era, the Pagoda also housed Goody’s Bike Station, where visitors could rent bikes for 25 cents per hour or $1.50 per day. Following World War II, the Pagoda added gas pumps for boats and cars. The Kjellmans sold the Pagoda in the late 1920s to the Osterblom family, who owned it for nearly 40 years, until they sold to Lennie Eisenstein in the mid-1960s. Envisioning the business as a full-service restaurant, Eisenstein built another addition, which he called the Lobster Shack. Len E’s Pagoda and Lobster Shack proved to be very popular. When the church next door became available, Eisenstein had even grander plans. The first church services in the Borough of Hopatcong were held during the late 19th and early 20th centuries by the Rev. T.A.K. Gessler at Tangle Wild, his property in Davis Cove. After the Hopatcong School (later Hudson Maxim School) was built in River Styx in 1908, church services were conducted in the one-room schoolhouse. Locals noted that the borough had a jail but no church. On July 2, 1911, the cornerstone for the West Side Church, the borough’s first church, was laid. Gessler preached at the nondenominational church until his death in 1925. In 1949, following a vote of the congregation, the church became the West Side United Methodist Church. After a 1968 fire gutted the inside of the church, the congregation decided more space was needed. A new church was built across River Styx Bridge on Maxim Drive, opening in 1971. The old West Side Church structure seemed headed for the wrecking ball, but Lennie Eisenstein had another idea. Having doubled the size of the Pagoda, Eisenstein bought the church building and connected it to his existing establishment, creating one large restaurant. Though unique, the expansion proved to be a step too far. Overextended financially, the restaurant was forced to close. The business reopened under new owners as the Jolly Buccaneer in 1975 and, after being sold again, became the Lighthouse in 1978. The Lighthouse operated as a dinner theatre for a year before latching onto the disco craze of the late 1970s. With its large dance floor and numerous bars on multiple levels, The Lighthouse became one of the most popular clubs in New Jersey, drawing customers from a wide area. The steeple of the church served as the Rock Room, a unique venue for live bands. Following the Lighthouse’s closure in the mid- 1980s, several other restaurants experienced various degrees of success at the location. During this period the unique remaining portion of the old pagoda roof was covered. (It remains under the existing roof, should a future owner wish to revisit the establishment’s original theme.) With the turn of the century, the property was split into three different businesses and given fresh life by new owners led by Scott Barber. Johnny’s Marina, long run by the Salamone family, offers boat slips, sales, repairs and a wide variety of boating and fishing supplies. In the former church structure, Barber and his team established the Barber Shop, a state-of-the-art recording studio. And in the restaurant Far left: The Pagoda, circa 1912, which replaced a houseboat, circa 1908, that served refreshments (immediate left). 34 LAKE HOPATCONG NEWS Memorial Day 2023
space, Mario Ferra opened Pavinci Italian Grill in 2002. It remained a mainstay at the lake for two decades with its Italian menu, live music and popularity as a venue for parties and group functions. When Ferra hosted his last event at Pavinci’s in February 2023, an era ended. A new one is about to begin under the leadership of Brendan Clinkscales and two business partners, Shane Buggy and Mike Brannigan. The trio, all originally from Ireland, operate the Copper Still pubs in Manhattan’s East Village and Chelsea neighborhoods. Their goal when opening the first location nine years ago was to offer a family-style Irish pub with a great whiskey selection. Clinkscales, who lives in Sparta with his wife and two children, handles the day-to-day management responsibilities. The 36-year-old has been involved with restaurants since he was 20 and plans to be at The Beacon full time. He expects the menu to be similar to the New York City locations, which he described as “modern American,” with a prolific beer, wine and alcohol selection. The Beacon will be open seven days a week and will offer 14 dock slips, which are part of the long-term lease. Clinkscales said he looks forward to adding weekend breakfast in the future and music once they are established and have a better understanding of the musical tastes of the clientele. He stressed that he wants The Beacon to be a valued member of the community, adding that the Borough of Hopatcong has been great to work with in getting the new business going. While much has changed in the years since a houseboat first arrived in River Styx, this site continues to make Lake Hopatcong a more interesting and vibrant place. See you at The Beacon! From top, clockwise: The Lighthouse advertisement. The Pagoda, circa 1910, with West Side Church peeking through the top of the trees. The author (left) with best friend, Steve Kleiman, investigating the building of the Lobster Shack in 1970. A poster featuring special guest Lawrence Taylor at The Lighthouse in 1985. • Choice of plated, buffet, or reception style meal. • Ballroom set with tables, chairs, linen, holiday centerpieces, china, silverware & dance floor. • Professional, affordable & friendly bartender service. COME & JOIN US FOR A WEDNESDAY NIGHT BBQ SERVING FROM 5:00PM-7:00PM $12.00 PP CHEESEBURGERS · HOT DOGS · POTATO SALAD · ASSORTED PASTA SALADS · BAKED BEANS · DESSERT Look No Further For Your Next Venue BOOK YOUR PARTY WITH US FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT OUR SALES OFFICE AT 973.668.9302 PACKAGES CAN INCLUDE (Perfect location & price for parties up to 170 people) • Large outdoor cooking grills, pavilion with patio seating • Tent rental available for your outdoor event • Large parking lot with a covered foyer for dropping people off by the door. Lake Hopatcong Elks | 201 Howard Boulevard | Mount Arlington,NJ 07856 lakehopatcongnews.com 35
Page 1: INFORMING, SERVING AND CELEBRATING
Page 4 and 5: 4 LAKE HOPATCONG NEWS Memorial Day
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Page 42 and 43: KathySellsLakeHomes.com Top Produce
Page 44: HAWKRIDGEFARMNJ located in LAKE HOP

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