Ho-Ho-Kus, 1960's
Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey, U.S.A.
It was a big deal in Ho-Ho-Kus when my late brother Rob and I became old enough to walk downtown by ourselves.
Like others who grew up here, I have a thousand memories of this little strip of shops on Sheridan Avenue.
When cleaning out my mother’s house last year, I found the postcard pictured above. I saved it as a precious item and may yet frame it in Sydney, because this view perfectly captures the main Ho-Ho-Kus ‘downtown’ of my childhood.
There were and are a few more shops, down the street, around the corner, and on a parallel road. But these shops were the ones where Rob and I spent most of our time. I spent much of my 50-cents a week allowance here, but even at an early age Rob had excellent savings habits.
As we got older, we rode our bikes downtown, without helmets and without bike locks. We parked our bikes outside the shops and they were never tampered with or stolen. It never occurred to us they might be.
A Self-Contained World
My mother did her grocery shopping at the big Grand Union in neighbouring Ridgewood. Otherwise, the Ho-Ho-Kus shops met all our needs.
I realise when I think of it now that our little downtown was a self-contained world. At one end, the Quality Shop for women was small but always had just the right blouse or skirt. The Men’s Shop next door was the only place to buy our father’s birthday and Christmas presents.
At the other end of the shops, there was a cafe we didn’t go into when we were kids, and Ho-Ho-Kus Hardware, which served residents who, unlike us, knew about DIY and home improvement.
When I was in seventh and eighth grade, it was a treat for my girlfriends and me when our mothers let us have lunch downtown at the Sheridan Cafe on a school day, instead of going home for lunch.
The shops in the middle were our favourites:
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Mufson’s: Sliding-glass candy cabinets had a full range of penny candy and larger candy bars. Here we bought dot candy, Lik’M Aid, black licorice sticks, and Rob’s favourite Three Musketeers. Sometimes when my grandparents visited, my grandfather took me to Mufson’s to get a pint of Country Club vanilla ice cream. Best of all, some Wednesday nights after Dad took me and Rob out for our weekly dinner with him, he’d take us to Mufson’s afterwards. He stopped to get cigarettes for himself, but we knew he’d be good for a large candy bar and a 25-cent Little Dot or Richie Rich comic book for each of us.
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Ho-Ho-Kus Bakery: Sometimes Mom got bread here, where they asked me if we wanted it sliced thin or regular. Rob loved their jelly donuts. I requested their small rectangular 7-layer cake for my birthday every year. I often got a big chocolate chip cookie and Rob a large sugar cookie.
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Ben’s 5 & 10: The absolute, undisputed, world’s greatest 5 & 10 store on the planet, in my humble opinion. I can see every aisle in my mind, starting with my favourite, the stationery section on the left-hand side, lined with little rainbow pads and spiral notebooks. Toys were up the back, and on the right-hand side were the ‘grown-up’ aisles, with kitchen and sewing supplies. Robby and I lived on the left-hand aisle. I bought notebooks and pens and he bought squirt guns and miniature cars. I’ve been in many variety stores around the world but have never found one I liked as much as Ben’s.
Signs of the Times
On Clive’s first visit to Ho-Ho-Kus in 2006, he bought newspapers at the former Mufson’s, where he was served by the new Indian owner. Last year, we found the shop empty, and it’s still empty today.
Empty Shop Where Mufson's Used to Be
Of course we’re in the midst of a global recession, but I still find it dispiriting this prosperous town can’t support a newsagent. Much of the population works on or around Wall Street, so I guess it’s not surprising to find such visible evidence of the economic crisis right here in downtown Ho-Ho-Kus.
Across the street from Mufson’s, Dench and Sons isn’t pumping gas any more, but they’re still providing automotive services.
Dench's Service Station, Still Here
Today’s View
Today downtown Ho-Ho-Kus still has a certain charm, empty stationery store and overhead wires notwithstanding. The shops are modern and include real estate, jewelry, and a reliable florist I use regularly from Sydney when I’m sending flowers to anyone in this area. Ho-Ho-Kus is considered a desirable New York suburb, and is blessedly free of fast food and Starbucks, though I won’t be surprised they eventually find their way in.
Ho-Ho-Kus Downtown Today
My Ho-Ho-Kus downtown will always be the glass candy cabinets and comic book shelves at Mufson’s, powdered donuts and 7-layer cake from the Bakery, and a world of possibility at Ben’s 5 and 10.
Related link: Borough (Town) of Ho-Ho-Kus Official Website
Another lovely post. Reading it made me think about the similar memories I have about the country town I grew up in NSW. I would frame the postcard because it is a treasure and a positive reminder of a happy childhood. I hope you are having a wonderful trip Caroline and now I will be off to dream about 7 layer cakes ……yum!
When my sister and I and our friends traveled downtown, we too visited the bakery and Ben’s. What was Mufson’s for you was Steve’s Candy Store for us. My mother frequently purchased things at The Quality Shop (or Sealfon’s in Ridgewood) and The Mens Shop (for some reason) always did the embroidery for our HHK/Saddle River soccer jackets. My father worked for over 30 years for The Grand Union company, but he did all of our shopping in Waldwick. Our visits downtown for lunch were ALWAYS for pizza over next to the Krausers/Garden State milk store. (I don’t think it ever occurred to us to go to the Sheridan Cafe. Tragic oversight on our part.)
One of my best bittersweet memories of one of my last visits home is of walking to the florist from 82 Carlton (only about 7 minutes) to purchase flowers for my best girlhood friend’s birthday. She still lives in HHK, so I was able to walk to the florist to buy them, then walk a few more blocks to her house on Elmwood to deliver them. It really made me realize how lucky I was to grow up there!
You created the most evocative post out of the most prosaic things . . .favorite stores from your childhood. There is such a beauty in your words and descriptions. Wow!
And I feel better now that I can pronounce Ho-ho-kus in my mind’s eye (er, mind’s voice??).
This post makes me realise that everyday my husband and I are creating memories for our children. I hope they can look back on their childhood with fondness and good memories, like you are able to.
Thanks for your nice thoughts Lilly, KimB, and MrsChipndale. MrsC, I’m sure your children will have similar happy memories. Amanda,, love your HHK comments! I missed the pizza place but ‘Garden State Farms’ is still there, albeit with a new name. That’s where Clive gets the British ‘Times’ now. It still has the same atmosphere with frozen and other foods and a few papers in the front. I also had friends on Elmwood, another nice street. Thanks sharing your memories!
I have really enjoyed your memories and history of the town where I now live. As a more recent resident it is so interesting to hear of the town’s rich past. I’d like to use your postcard shot for a “then and now” comparison. I hope that will be ok with you. Ho-Ho-Kus is still a wonderful place to live and bring up kids.
Andy, thanks for your nice comment. Yes, of course it’s fine to use the postcard photo and it’s great to know you’re enjoying living in Ho-Ho-Kus today. It’s definitely a wonderful place for kids to grow up!
Cheers.
Wow! Picture brings back memories! We lived on Sheridan Ave. in the 60s & 70s. Nice Place to grow up. Took my 6 year old daughter though town earlier this year – Mufson’s building was being renovated and was for rent! I bought LOTS of candy in that place. Elmwood (?) diner was a Sushi place! Times have changed. Dench’s, Sicilian Sun, Penny Candy Store (really old) Ben’s 5&10, Bakery was the best, King Auto Parts, Mufson’s (we called it Andy’s). Great post. Thanks.
Bill H, thanks for your comment. All those shop names really bring back memories. It’s great your daughter got to see the town.
Ho-Ho-Kus was definitely a nice place to grow up.
Cheers.
Greetings to all who had the pleasure of growing up in Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ.
I found your wonderful site as I was searching for a version of the old Ho-Ho-Kus Indian Chief. I’m about to re-create the silk-screen profile from a good t-shirt version I have from long ago.
This year I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying many breakfasts with Mr. Cassells at his favorite spot in Midland Park. He’s doing well and still remembers every student he ever had.
I’m a K thru 8′er who graduated in ‘68. 22 Years later I quietly located my classmates. After finding all but six, I polled the class for the best reunion date. Our wonderful 23 year reunion took place in Saddle River and at our beloved school on Memorial Day weekend 1991. Sixty-seven were able to attend.
As a professional t.v. cameraman, I was able to create a 40 minute reunion documentary that features Coach Simos, Mr. Cassells, Mr. Molzan, Mrs. Peacock, Mrs. Pabian the music teacher, and a whistling Mrs. Daly. Coach Simos brought large versions of all his sports photos from back then and we played softball on the old field.
Mssrs. Cassells and Molzan are doing well and still live nearby. Mr. Cassells remembers everyone and is still in touch with many students. Here’s something you may never have known: After teaching us History, Mr. Cassells flew into Manhattan where he sang at every performance at the Metropolitan Opera House! He has a world class opera voice and did this throughout the 60’s and 70’s!
In early September, I had a great conversation with sky-diving-biker-barber Art Cooke of Art’s Barber Shop. He was sitting outside his shop enjoying some sun.
I’ve traveled all over this country and a dozen others recording great stories, but our Ho-Ho-Kus Reunion will always be my favorite. If anyone knew the Class of ‘68 and would like a DVD, it’s yours for the asking.
May God bless every parent, child and shopkeeper who helped make Ho-Ho-Kus the most wonderful hometown in America.
Along with the great memories the photos evoked, I was struck by the fact that Jeff took the time to connect with the teachers there. Any chance, Jefff, you will post that so that others can see it?
Graduated in 1970 from HHK PS#1 and only, and at our 30 year reunion, we had over 50 show. Next year, we are at 40 years, hope to see the same number or more.
Thanks for the great posting!
If you can, please either fix or ignore the typo “a[n] K thru 8′er”.
Mrs. Mercier – I do know better!
Hi Carolyn,
I’m in touch with a few other Ho-Ho-Kus Class organizers. If some of the people you’re looking for were HHK grads, send me their names and class year and I’ll ask others if they have any info.
By the way, I had to locate my class without the use of the internet. I’d get a lead and call 911 operators asking them to search out names. Hundreds of hours looking here, there, everywhere!
If they’re Ho-Ho-Kus grads from the 60’s, there’s a good chance we can find them.
God bless,
Jeff
Jeff, thanks for your wonderful comments with so many familiar teachers’ names and lovely memories.
Correction made with a nod to Mrs. Mercier
I do recall Mr. Cassells mentioning his singing but had no idea he sang regularly at the Met – how absolutely fabulous. I have an old black and white photograph of him playing basketball in the gym.
Your reunion sounds like a memorable experience. Good on you for finding so many classmates.
Thanks again and good luck with the T-shirt!
Cheers.
As a member of the Ho-Ho-Kus class of ‘61 and Ridgewood Class of ‘65, I too would like to thank you for your memories. I had forgotten what a big treat it was to be able to “downtown” for lunch.
FYI, I lived on the “other side of 17″ on Brandywine next door to Mary Duffield who taught 4th grade and whose son, David, founded People Soft. What great memories. What a great little town. Thanks again.
Carolyn,
Thanks for your post. Growing up in HHK was a great experience. My parents owned Mufson’s from the early 1940’s until “Andy’s” retirement in 1977. They subsequently moved to southern N.J. where they had many memorable years living in the New Jersey Pine Barons. My dad passed away in 1994 and mom moved to California to be near me last year. I literally grew up in the candy store.
As an aside I also have fond memories of Australia. As, in the early 1970’s I lived in Elisabeth Bay while I taught H.S. in Ashcroft, N.S.W. I might still be there today except for a stubborn California girl who would not mary me. I chased her back to Santa Rosa, CA and we have now been married 36 years.
Best Regards,
John
HHK class of 61
Ridgewood HS class of 65
Wow ! What a trip down memory lane. I lived at 30 Carolton Ave. until my junior year at R.H.S. then we moved to Upper Saddle River. John Kozusko, I remember when you were born! Your parents Florence and Andy were my parents best friends. They sold your parents the property that your house was on next to ours, on Carlton Ave.. Sure is a small world !
Many a trip was made to Andy’s candy store by me and I can check all the crowns on my teeth as a result. Often I ran down to the store for a loaf of bread for my mom which I believe was around 30 cents. It came from the deli the same place we used to get pickles from the barrel………….
One of my fondest memories was the window painting we did on the stores every year at Halloween. Interestingly enough I ended up doing store and window displays for a living!
This has been the greates…………………thanks
Carol (Rue) Brodbeck
P.S. I have used my middle name Rue, ever since there was 5 Carols in Mrs. Carter’s geometry class!
George, thanks for your comment. Ho-Ho-Kus is a great little town with so many memories for all of us.
I had friends on ‘your’ side of Route 17 and remember your Brandywine neighbourhood. How amazing you were next door to the Duffields! Mrs. Duffield was my beloved fourth grade teacher and also that of my late brother, Rob. She was a dear friend of my mother’s from their HHK bridge clubs, too. I had her for fourth grade the year her husband Albert died (and to continue the coincidence, my grandmother had taught him in elementary school in Paterson, NJ!). She was a wonderful person and often talked about her sons and Cornell Univ. (where I believe David has since endowed a research or scholarship fund).
Cheers and thanks again for your kind comment.
John, thank you too for your comment. I am honoured to have one of Andy’s family here! I know I’m one of hundreds or more likely thousands of people who have wonderful, lifelong memories of that special store where you grew up.
I was in the same class as your sister Sue
Unfortunately I missed a HHK reunion of our class a few years ago (I’m not sure if Sue went, either but please say hello to her!). I’m sorry to hear of your father’s death and am sure your mom is happy to be near you now.
That’s great you spent time in Sydney and taught school here in NSW. It’s a beautiful country but it sounds like you made the best decision re going back to the U.S. As the Aussies say, ‘good on ya’ for your 36 years together.
Cheers and thanks again for your comment.
Bill D., John K., and George M.:
I remember you all! Bill: I recall coming to your home for scout den meetings, your wonderfully warm mother, and your faher owned the Ford [and for a short while the Edsel] dealership; George: I went to boyscout camp with you and your brother, Billy; John: I remember going to buy newspapers and candy at your family’s shop! often I could go on and on! Happy holidays to you all! as ever,
Jeffrey Lynford, HHS though1960
Carolyn, thanks so much for this site.
More Memories of Ho-Ho-Kus
The Hollywood hill in the winter after a snow. Everyone would arrive, an American Flyer (with freshly waxed runners) in tow to see if they could be the one to get the furthest down the hill before stopping.
No Snow? Wrap your Ice Skates around the handle bars of your bike and proceed up Hollywood Ave, crossing Franklin Turnpike, and the railroad tracks to the bleachery. If it was cold enough a portion of the Ho-Ho-Kus brook that was dammed up would be frozen enough for ice skating. Just avoid the thin spots.
From the Ho-Ho-Kus Inn traveling south on Maple Ave, just after crossing the brook on the left was the only Barber shop in town till Art opened his place. Ninety Cents for a hair cut. All this and change from your dollar. Continue south, now in Ridgewood on the left just before the Ford dealer was the Maple House. Best Chocolate Chip Ice cream I every had.
Best Pickle? Muller’s (Sp?) Delicatessen. Dill pickle, no garlic please.
Best Cherry Coke? Andy’s. Ten cents for the coke another two pennies for the cherry syrup. Those two pennies made all the difference back then. Today they seem insignificant.
Best Seven Layer Cake? The Ho-Ho-Kus Bakery. I was in the bakery for the first time in decades in 1995. As soon as I walked through the door it hit me like a ton of bricks. The shop smelled exactly as it did in my childhood. I wasn’t ready for that.
Best Lunch. Cheese Burger and Vanilla Milk Shake at the Elmwood (Sheridan Café). It seems it had a nick name (like Andy’s) but I can’t remember.
This time of the year coming from the Community Church the sound of bells ringing out Christmas Carols. The tree by the town hall all decked out like the biggest Christmas tree I had ever seen.
And I loved the fact that what ever you needed was just a bike ride away. It was hard getting up to Saint Lukes, but the ride back was worth it. In fact mom didn’t need a second car as she does today. All she had to say is “Bill, here is some money, go to the butcher and pick up a half pound of chopped chuck. Careful crossing the street, walk don’t ride”
I hope this brings half the pleasure to the reader as it did to the writer.
I have some other old post cards of Ho-Ho-Kus but can’t seem to attach them
Bill Delaney
605 Warren Ave
Oliver 2-1797
HHK Grammar School Class 1961
Jeffrey and Bill, sounds like you had a great group of friends in Ho-Ho-Kus.
Bill, those are wonderful memories – thanks so much for sharing them here. So many great details and all so familiar
The cafe was indeed ‘The Elmwood’ as far as I remember.
Cheers to a great little town.
What great memories all of you have shared. I was born in HHK in ‘39 and lived at 25 Fairlawn St. until going to college in 1957.
I helped carry cans of bacon fat to the Grand Union for recycling during the war. (Most of our dads were air raid wardens.) You gave your order to the man behind the counter and he filled it often using a long handled “grabber” to get items off the shelf. The cans of fat went to the butcher on the other side of the store. The post office was around the corner next to the corner drug store. I think the only thing I ever bought from the Quality Shop might have been thread for bead making in scouts.
Mufson’s was a favorite stop when I had to walk into town for bread at the bakery (you could sneak a look at one of the nudist magazines unless Andy caught you). He had huge nickel candy bars that are a buck or more today. Those round loaves of bread (sliced at the bakery) never made it back intact.
HHK Community Church was a major influence (Rev. G. Herbert Schneider died at 99 just a couple weeks ago) with Sunday School, Scouts and Explorers and the RECULSO Club Sunday evenings.
The grammar school was a short bike ride down Hollywood and no one ever thought it was a problem for their kids to head off to school on their own. You parked the bikes in a space down a ramp and in under the gym. David Cassells arrived as a student teacher maybe in seventh grade (could have been sixth) and became full time…and by eighth grade was rumored to be going with Miss Marsellies. There was at least one sandbox inside the kindergarten room. We all had to take naps on little braded rugs.
As I remember, Art the barber started as an assistant just after the war to Joe Viviano whose shop was just across the bridge. Joe listened to classical violins and Italian opera while he cut our hair.
Dr. Chase was our family doctor with an office on Sheridan St.
Jimmy Dench, whose brother owned several gas stations in town, was in our class. Dave Duffield (PeopleSoft) was a class behind us but had a wicked curveball and pitched on the “varsity” with Donnie Monroe. Our basketball team won most of its games lead by Pete Campbell (on to Princeton basketball) and Bill Madison (wore #2 at UConn basketball).
The Andrew Sisters came to Ho-Ho-Kus (which means “cleft in the rock” from the Lenni Lenape by the way) in 1949 to sing the song on the back of their #1 hit Mellaguena (? spelling) which was “HO-HO-KUS, N.J.” “If you want to you can walk us to a town they call Secaucus, near Ho-Ho-Kus, N.J. For the fracus will be raucus when Ho-Ho-Kus meets Secaucus, in the big game today”
It was a great place to grow up and has many, many fond memories for this 70 year old.
Bud Sales HHK ‘53
Dear Janet M.,
E-mail me at jeffwilsondp@yahoo.com and in January I’ll send you a DVD of our Class Reunion. I’ll also ask my colleague how I can go about posting it.
You’ll know some of my classmates and seeing the teachers again is a lot of fun. It’s great footage because that’s what I do professionally and I used a colleague’s network camera to shoot it. I expect to treat Dave Cassells to a viewing sometime in January.
BTW, I might make some old fashioned Ho-Ho-Kus Indian softball jerseys next Spring. When I step up to a new desktop, I’ll send you a photo.
May the Good Lord bless you and all your loved ones this Christmas,
Jeff from HHK’s Class of ‘68.
(Voted by his own class as the least likely to reunite them!)
Oh what wonderful, wonderful memories just came flooding back. I read every one of your posts. Beautiful!Here are some of my favorite memories..
HHK class of 1970!
After dinner you could always find something going on at the schoo; stick ball games, tennis, bball, the most wonderful playground for hopscotch. And we could bike or walk there, SAFELY.
“The Woods” which was off of Hollywood Avenue (by the sledding hill) was a huge habitat to explore, paths, fields, and even a little creek.
Painting all the windows of the shops down town at Halloween time.
Stopping to visit Art the Barber, who ALWAYS had time to chat with us.
The black and white cookies at the bakery and their seeded hard rolls, (yes the 7-layer cake was to die for!)
The Quality Shop for friendship rings (going steady rings) They cost $1.05! The place we bought our first nylon stockings and garter belts!!!!!!!
Muffsins:Full size candy bars were 5 cents!!! I remember when they went to 6 cents!
Riding bikes up to Tices for their cider and donuts.
Playing at the spooky Hermitage.
Being able to walk to every single friends house.(even in the dark)
Walking the trolley paths to RHS when we missed the bus.
Field Day!!!!
Just a few of my very special memories of growing up in HHK, USA, which i will forever hold dear.
Thanks for sharing Yours!
what a perfect place to grow up! i graduated h-h-k #1 & only in 1970 also – with cathy and janet. i remember our little library that had every book i wanted. and the candy cane for lunch on fridays. kim got a vanilla shake, mary had strawberry, carol and judy had black&whites and i got chocolate! we took sewing lessons from a lady right next door to garden state farms and piano lessons from a lady on hollywood. i was a crossing guard stationed at the bike rack and we got to go to rye park in the spring. we got donuts every saturday morning from the bakery (i can still taste that 7 layer cake too!) and went to the dump with my dad in the afternoon. remember the purple beat?? it was a teen dance place over the police station! i worked at the h-h-k pharmacy for years in h.s. and college. my folks would never have considered using a shop outside of town, if there was one in town. i remember when they built the overpass and connected the other side of the highway to us. we went carolling every christmas. and trick-or-treated in the dark – which is against curfew now in my town. thanks everyone for sharing those wonderful memories! go blue and gold!
Wow, what brilliant comments!
Thank you, Bud, Janet, Jeff, Cathy, Teri, and Carol for sharing your memories here. Teri, I also took piano lessons from Miss Takayama at the top of Hollywood Ave. She was a wonderful teacher as were the ones we all had at Ho-Ho-Kus school.
And how great everyone loved the bakery’s 7-layer cake!
So many great details and memories – cheers and thanks again, everyone.
Thanks so much to all of you for bringing back such fond memories! Bud Sales and I were classmates so I related to the “war days” of dropping off not only cans of fat, but of flattened tin cans so they could be reused for the war machines. HHK Grammar School was unique in that it created bonds that, in my case, have lasted a lifetime! The teachers were the best from Mrs. Butz in Kindergarten thru Kurtz, Miller, Mozeleski, Duffield, Peacock, Risser and Cassells (surprise Opera singer is correct!). The old Bleachery is gone and replaced by a self-storage facility and business tenents. The old town hall by the brook is gone- replaced by a memorial park while the new town hall is now on the NE corner of Sheridan and Warren Aves.
And finally, I believe we called the Sheridan Cafe “Schmonzees” (phonetically) – not sure of the spelling! Practically all I know who grew up there considered it a privelege!
Bill M, thanks for your comment!
It’s so true about the bonds created in Ho-Ho-Kus (and how well we all remember the teachers at Ho-Ho-Kus School! Mine were Madsen, Maass, Allen, Stout, Duffield, Peacock, Molzan/Maloney/Mercier, and – upstairs! – Bickell/Lutz/Van Orden, and Cassells
). It was indeed a privilege to grow up there.
Cheers.