Wilcox Cafe
Known Name(s)
Wilcox Cafe
Address
335 Evesham Ave. Lawnside, NJ
Establishment Type(s)
Tavern
Physical Status
Extant
Detailed History
In 1948, William Wilcox established the iconic Wilcox Cafe, affectionately known as "Coochies," in Lawnside, NJ. Situated on Evesham Avenue, the two-story building was a vibrant establishment with a distinctive “two-year-old orange stucco exterior adorned with a semicircular entrance slab resembling a heart on a sleeve, illuminated by neon niblets of light.” Wilcox acquired a three-acre parcel for an undisclosed amount, and by 1985, the property's value was estimated at $800,000, encompassing a restaurant, a bar, and additional structures. Today, the historic Wilcox Cafe building still stands, albeit with numerous exterior modifications that trace the passage of time.
Following William Wilcox's passing, his wife Emma entrusted the land to Geraldine B. Willingham Venable, who, along with her sisters Martha Matthers and Betty Giles, assumed leadership roles in Wilcox Cafe Inc. George Darby, Venable's son, fondly recalls his early experiences working on Evesham Avenue, the vibrant strip where Wilcox Cafe thrived. The bustling scene drew visitors from New York, Baltimore, and Washington DC, reminiscent of the lively Atlantic City Boardwalk, with sidewalks teeming with people and up to 15 buses lining the street. Reflecting on his youth, Darby shares, "My grandfather taught us the business very early. At 13, I ran my own hot dog stand and sold peanuts for 10 cents a bag. It's been a dream of mine since childhood to one day take over my granddad's business." Darby eventually realized this dream by establishing Gerry’s Family Barbeque on the property, while his aunt maintained an outdoor pit for barbecue next to the cafe. William Wilcox, originally from Wilcox County, GA, born around 1897 to Moses C. Wilcox and Sally Fuller, was one of many siblings (Unie V, Woodman, Sampson, Rivera, Adam, Emma, Alice, Reason, May, Willie), and the father of seventeen children (Arthur, Isiah, L?, Will, Betty, Geraldine, Lloyd U, William, Eva M, David, Jenldine, John, Leroy, Ruth, Martha, Edna, Paul)
