The day was frigid cold with temperatures below zero the first time I visited Valerie's. I was able snap a few photographs before I felt as if my fingers were going to break off. Red knuckles and numb fingertips, I decided to retreat to the warmth of my pickup.

Later that next fall when the weather's temperature was much milder in the 60's, I decided to venture back and take a look inside. Being cautious for I heard rumors of a Bear living inside, I decided to proceed slowly with listening ears in case I sensed movement about. I soon found out that all it was, was nothing but a rumor, probably to keep people like me out. There were no signs of Animal life inside.

Once inside this small house converted into a Bar - Restaurant. it appeared that Valerie had left quite abruptly leaving everything behind. Bottles with liquor in them. Olives still in the jars as well as tables, menus and pots and pans in the kitchen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Valerie's closed down sometime in the mid 1990's. As a requirement of the 1996 Amendments to the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, the New Jersey Department of Environment Protection (DEP) determined after assessing the drinking water that it was susceptibility of all public water system sources to eight categories of contaminants. From Pathogens that are disease causing organisms such as bacteria and viruses. Common sources are animal and human fecal wastes. Also man made Volatile Organic Compounds and Pesticides as well as a high level of Radon Gas.

 

 

 

 

Booze still in the Bottle

 

 

Classwear still hanging over the bar collecting years of dust

 

Menu Board

 

 

 

Burger Menu

 

 

 

 

 

 

An upright piano berely recognizable and rotting away

 

 

 

 

Grand Opening Night ~ Halloween Party ~ Christmas Celebration

 

Briars Birchbeer Keg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unfortunately if these statistics are true as the drinking water was at a high vVulnerability stage, it is what caused valerie's to shut their doors for good no longer pouring the drinks and serving fine cuisine. The good times that were shared is merely a memory now and pictures of the past hang on the wall for those who might venture inside. They will be the ones honored to view how Valerie's was in her prime.