Taproom's explosive history leads to opening of Glassboro's Bomb Bomb BBQ
21.05.12
On Feb. 16, 1936, a bomb was placed on the front steps of a taproom at the corner of Warnock and Wolf streets in South Philadelphia.
When the bomb detonated, it shattered windows in buildings blocks away and set off a series of explosive events that would eventually lead to the opening of Bomb Bomb BBQ Grill and Sandwich Factory on High Street in Glassboro.
Frank Barbato III, director of operations at the Glassboro business, said the name was inherited: That first bomb was followed by a second explosion about a month later — both explosions were about 20 years before Barbato’s grandfather bought the infamous establishment.
At the time, police concluded the double bombing was the result of jealousy and a business rivalry. Eventually, a petition was circulated asking that the bar be shut down.
Though that business was closed, Jimmy Cataldi soon became the new owner and ran a successful, explosion-free business at the tavern for many years before finally selling to Frank Barbato Sr. in 1951.
Source: Gloucester County Times - NJ.com