Plainfield landmarks fall by the wayside

Two of Plainfield's most recognizable landmarks fell by the wayside over the weekend.

An fire of undetermined origin struck the Larry's Deli building on South Avenue Saturday afternoon.

The deli, one of the last reminders of Plainfield's once-vibrant Jewish community, was still thriving a decade ago when operated by the Scheckner family. The business has been shuttered more than a year, in spite of interest from several potential tenants.

Meanwhile, the Strand Theater on East Front Street is losing its marquee, the 'face' that theaters present to passersby.

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I noticed blue tarp going up last week and inquired at City Hall, where I was told the owners had gotten a permit to demolish and remove the marquee which has graced the theater since it opened in the 1920s.

Workmen were seen with acetylene torches behind the blue tarp on Friday and Saturday, and I resolved to get some photos on Sunday.

To my surprise, East Front Street was blocked off on Sunday between Watchung Avenue and Church Street, and I was told by fire and police personnel that the tarp had blown loose and the dangling beams of the partially disassembled marquee were deemed a danger to passing pedestrians.

By mid-afternoon, workers from Oveter's Construction were on the scene, scrambling to finish removing the marquee.

What is in store for the former theater is anyone's guess. One police officer told me that the owners had completely removed the 1400 theater seats and the sloping theater floor, leaving an enormous rectangular room with only the stage at the front remaining in place.

In any event, without a marquee it is hard to picture how the public would know what, if anything, can be taking place inside.

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-- Dan Damon

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