Alternate Ending Beer Company Coming To Aberdeen, New Jersey

An expression often used is “when one door closes, another one opens.” For nearly 49 years residents of Aberdeen, NJ would come to the local movie theater to see the latest blockbuster films. Starting off as Strathmore Twin Cinema before becoming a part of Bow Tie Cinemas in 2013, the theater became a staple for the community.  Soon the theater will close its doors and a new business will have the opportunity to grow. On June 11, Alternate Ending Beer Company announced that they will be opening a brand new brewery sometime in spring 2020. Founder and CEO Scott Novick is thrilled about having his longtime dream come true in his home state; he is formerly of Morganville and currently resides in Colts Neck. “We want our children to be able to enjoy a movie and a meal while we enjoy a great beer at the same time,” said Novick.

Novick graduated from Tulane University where he enjoyed all the food and culture he experienced. Upon graduation, Novick worked as an on-air marketer at Viacom in New York City leading multiple small teams for 12 years. Novick and his wife Jen moved back to Monmouth County shortly after Superstorm Sandy, whilst there Novick began cultivating his love for brewing. It would lead to him beginning a Craftbrewer’s Apprenticeship program at the American Brewers Guild located in Vermont. After another apprenticeship, Novick would earn an opportunity to work at a much-respected brewery called Other Half in Brooklyn, NY. Novick worked multiple jobs such as sales and barreling until he began brewing multiple flavors of beers. While Novick was happy at his job, a great opportunity came up in Aberdeen, NJ.

Novick and Jen learned Bow Tie would not be renewing its lease for the theater. Having grown up going to the theater and getting to know the community, Novick met with the landlord Harry Rosenblum to discuss the possibility for a brewery. “After one meeting with {Rosemblum} I gave my employer six weeks’ notice and started working on a business plan and lease negotiations,” said Novick.

Novick has many plans for his first company including live entertainment, food, movies and sporting events; he also wants to bring nostalgia to the community. “We want to bring Alternate Ending to a very special place for a lot of us (myself included) who grew up going to the Aberdeen movie theater,” said Novick.

Many New Jersey residents are happy about Alternate Ending coming to Aberdeen. “I’m excited.” said Gina Vargas, a former Aberdeen resident now living in Jackson. “It will bring something exciting to the town,” There are moviegoers who will miss having a local theater. “I’m actually so disappointed and sad to see the theater leave.=,” said Patricia Bellisario, a Colts Neck resident and regular customer at the theater.

Alternate Ending is expected to open in spring 2020. Mr. Novick is very excited to be opening his first company. “I just want to make beer that I’m proud of, food that makes people nod their head yes signaling “this is tasty” and provide an environment that attracts all walks of life.  I know this is going to be hard work, long hours and extremely stressful, but at the same time, I get goosebumps dreaming about walking into this vision that is currently firing between my two ears right now.”

Atlantic Highlands Historical Society Brings Horror Back In October

Summer may be over soon, but most are very excited for the fall season to come. Many are looking forward to October because it means Halloween, pumpkin picking and scary movies. For many years the Atlantic Highlands Historical Society (AHHS) in Atlantic Highlands, NJ has screened classic silent films, but their most successful time is in October. Over the past two years people have flocked to the Strauss Mansion Museum to watch some of the scariest silent horror movies including a late 1970’s classic filmed right in the museum.

The AHHS was first formed in 1973, coinciding with the United States of America’s 200^th birthday in 1976. They had no official headquarters until an opportunity came in 1980. The Strauss Mansion Museum which is famous for being the home in the 1979 controversial horror film “Don’t Go in the House” was going to be torn down by the town because of its deplorable and unsafe conditions. The AHHS was not going to let it happen and bought the property to become the new home, archive and library for the Society. It would be years of repairs before the museum opened to the public in 1986. According to one of the AHHS Board Member and Halloween Co-Chair Greg Caggiano they are still working on restoring the museum to its former glory.

Mr. Caggiano has been a part of the AHHS for six years with five of them as a member of the committee. He co-chairs alongside Joanne Dellosso while also working with former members of the board now volunteers Roy Dellosso and Lou Filgor. “The three of them have been involved in the AHHS for more than 20 years” said Mr. Caggiano “Their experience and expertise are invaluable.” Ms. Dellosso, Mr. Dellosso and Mr. Filgor have played huge parts in making the tours at Strauss Mansion Museum in October scarier than in previous years. According to Mr. Caggiano they started off taking tours around Prospect Circle before moving on to the works of Edgar Allen Poe. Currently the museum gives ghost tours as, in Mr. Caggiano’s words, “the mansion is quite haunted.” More information can be seen on the YouTube Channel Ghosts on the Coast.

Discovering the AHHS used to show silent films with musical accompaniment in the late 1990’s Mr. Caggiano and the other members decided to bring it back for their events in October in addition to the museum and tours. The AHHS screens at least three classic horror films every year. One of the most popular movies shown, that has sold out shows over the past two years, is the 1922 German horror film Nosferatu. It is regarded as the most famous silent horror film of all time. Mr. Caggiano fondly remembers one showing of the movie at midnight. “We wanted to give people the experience of watching this creepy flick in a haunted mansion at midnight” said Mr. Caggiano. This year there will be two screenings of the film on October 5^th at 7:30 and 10:30 P.M with local musicians playing alongside the movie. Mr. Caggiano advises those reading if they want to come to the screening to reserve their tickets now.

In addition to Nosferatu the AHHS screens “Don’t Go in the House” at the place where it was filmed and 1931’s Dracula, usually shown on Bela Lugosi’s birthday. Other October events include a Halloween party, lectures and tours regarding the paranormal and a musical performance by Damion Alexandrius. All money raised during the events will go to Society and the repairs needed for the museum. For more information on the AHHS, upcoming events and how to get tickets please visit them on their website ahhistory.org or Facebook page.

Photo is courtesy of Greg Caggiano