By Paul Goldfinger, Editor Blogfinger.net
Freedman’s use to have many stores in this area, but their flagship in Belmar is all that’s left. The link below tells the story. We had announced this in “Wassup” but some Grovers wanted to talk about it, so we have moved it here.
The nostalgia at the shore never ends. People have so many associations. Freedman’s had the best challah breads and babkas (yeast cakes from Eastern Europe. The Freedman’s style was Jewish and made with chocolate or cinnamon. We have one in the freezer.)
During the recent Jewish New Year (It is 5774, but who’s counting?) we called Freedman’s to order a babka. They said we are not making them this year, but we have rugelach (another little Polish cake.) We were disappointed, so I ordered the rugelach.
When I got to Freedman’s to pick up the order (which included two challahs with raisins), there on the counter, right in front of me, were 2 babkas. I said, “I thought you weren’t baking these.” The young lady behind the counter smiled, shrugged and said, “I guess the baker changed his mind.” I loved the answer as I pointed to one of two that remained.
From JW:
Rats! the closing of the last Freedman’s Bakery is like the final nail in the coffin of the old Jersey Shore . Hope someone saves the classic 1950′s-60′s sign.
So where am I gonna get salt sticks–at Wegman’s? Don’t think so.
From Frank S:
Yep unfortunately JW is correct in that more & more “old” Jersey Shore places are disappearing. In no particular order I suggest we all patronize before they are gone : Vic’s in Bradley Beach, Vesuvios in Belmar, Hincks in Wall, The Circus in Wall, Franks in Asbury, Freddies in Long Branch, Original Windmill in Long Branch, Brothers in Red Bank, etc., etc. I probably forgot some.
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I used to get their linzer tarts—-they were the best!