News
As Canton Is Replaced, History Is Revealed
Renovation of Beloved Restaurant Uncovers Prior Signage
 A photo of 920 Bergen Avenue undergoing renovation, with close up of newly revealed signage. (Photo Credit: Justin Frohwirth) |
The Canton Restaurant, a long time staple of dining and drinking in Journal Square, closed to the public in 2004. Yet current renovations for a new use have uncovered a clue to the building's past.
Opened in 1930, the Canton was a mainstay of the bustling Journal Square Area for over 70 years. The restaurant was known as the place to dine when going out for the evening. The restaurant was known as much for its charming interior decor and its remarkable variety of mixed drinks as it was for its cuisine. Unfortunately, the death of one of the restaurant's partners and renovations that proved too costly for the business led to its closing.
The space has since been taken over by Bally Total Fitness. The interior has been long replaced. Until recently, the building retained the well recognized exterior signage of the Canton Restaurant. Recently this signage was removed.
The removal of the Canton signage revealed the building's prior identity as the "Hurwitz Building." The gold lettering was most likely original, as it appears to have been designed to fit in with the Art Deco terra cotta exterior.
The Conservancy sincerely hopes that, rather than simply plastering a new plastic sign of a chain brand, that Bally Total Fitness pauses to respect the history of the building and allow the public to appreciate the building's original qualities.