Mourning Maloney's

For those of us who grew up at the Jersey shore, it's a sad time indeed. The legendary Maloney's in Margate - the bar where everybody knows your name if they aren't too drunk to remember - is closing. Every town has its Maloney's .... it's like the real version of Cheers without the canned laughter. To imagine it not being there - inconceivable!

I don't live in Margate anymore, but it's still home to me. I'm surprised by how sad I am about this. Maybe it's just a sign of the times, things change I know, but this is one place that nobody ever thought would change. Probably because it hasn't changed as long as I have been going there, and that's around...well..never mind how many years it's been. (me? go to bars when I was underage?? ya think?) I think George put a new jukebox in once, and then there was the addition of the outside patio, but not much else - if you don't believe me just check out the bathrooms. I spent the better part of my 20's drinking in the Tavern (or the Zoo as we affectionately called it), and eating (ok, and drinking too) in the Beef & Beer. I drank many beers and shots of Jack Daniels (ick), sang "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" a couple of thousand times at the top of my lungs, ruined several pairs of shoes on the beer soaked floors, got sick in the bathroom, danced on the bar, and met many a cute boy. I even worked as a chef in the kitchen the summer before I went off to travel the world. Everyone has Maloney's memories, some more than others, but everyone has them. And that's not even mentioning the annual bike-a-thon...suddenly I'm hearing Archie and Edith singing *those were the days*.....

I'll miss Maloney's - we all will. Saying goodbye to this legendary institution on Labor Day will be like saying goodbye to an old and treasured friend. The friend you always could count on to be there for you. I can't imagine what it will be like next summer to come home and see townhouses where my friend used to be.