Berkeley Sweet Shop, a Seaside boardwalk staple, closes indefinitely
Salt water taffy from Berkeley Sweet Shop. (Image: Berkeley Sweet Shop via Facebook)
After over 60 years on the Seaside boardwalk, the iconic Berkeley Sweet Shop is closing indefinitely, store management announced on Facebook.
Famous for homemade fudge, salt water taffy, and other sweet treats, the two locations survived Superstorm Sandy only to be destroyed by the massive Sept. 2013 boardwalk fire.
Owner Berent Hage, who opened a small stand in the newly rebuilt portion of the boardwalk last summer, told the Asbury Park Press that he decided to close indefinitely because of uncertainty about how his store would be rebuilt on the currently vacant stretch of the promenade.
“We would like to extend a big thank you to all our customers. Thank you very much. We’ve appreciated your years of loyalty and support. Hopefully we’ll see you all again soon!” a posting on the store’s Facebook page states, adding that any changes to the store’s status will be posted.
Customers responded to the posting with universal sadness.
“This is horrible news,” Tricia Carr-Pomaro wrote. “Berkeley Sweet Shop has been a tradition in my family for as long as i can remember. Our Easters will never be the same. Thank you for all the years of great memories and chocolate.”
Jessica Martocci Thompson commented that she has “yet to find fudge and taffy that even comes close.”
“You will be missed,” she added. “God bless.”
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