Nick & Sophie
Domenices-
Del Grande

NICK and SOPHIE DEL GRANDE-DOMENICES are best remembered in Camden as the proprietors of Nick and Sophie's Tavern, at 699 Central Avenue, in the Centerville section of Camden. The bar still bears their name, as does Central Avenue between South 7th and South 9th Streets in Camden. 

Nicholas Del Grande-Domenices was born in Pennsylvania in 1908. The 1930 census shows him as living at 322 Walnut Street in Camden with his mother Maria and sister, Edith Del Grande. He was then working as a manger of a restaurant.

Sophie was born in New Jersey February 7, 1914 to Peter and Kathryn Koszarecki, who had both  emigrated to America from Poland as teenagers. Besides Sophie, there were at least two older daughters, Viola and Clara, and a younger brother, Alexander. By 1930 Peter Koszarecki and his family were renting the bar and building at 2001 Broadway, where they operated a cafe. In later years this bar was known as the Belleview Inn. It appears the Peter Koszarecki soon became the owner of the Belleview Inn, and shortly thereafter acquired an interest in 699 Central Avenue. 

According to Sophie's obituary, it appears that Peter Koszarecki acquired the bar at 699 Central Avenue in 1934, and that Sophie worked the bar, as soon as she was of age. In 1947 the bar appears in the Camden City Directory as Nick's Cafe, and in the New Jersey Bell Telephone Directories of the 1950s and 1960s as Domenice's Tavern. Since the 1970s the listing has been as Nick and Sophie's Tavern.     

Nick and Sophie had a son, Peter Del Grande, who was a prominent Republican politician in Camden County in the 1960s and 1970s. Sophie was a Republican 8th Ward Committee Woman during the 1960's. She was a member of the Lindenwold Moose Lodge and an avid bowler at Westbrook Lanes for 40 years. Nick and Sophie were members of the Church of the Sacred Heart at Broadway and Ferry Avenue in Camden.

Nicholas Del Grande-Domenices passed away on July 25, 2001. Sophie joined him in on February 15, 2002. The rest together at New St. Mary's Cemetery in Bellmawr NJ. 

Camden Courier-Post - July 27, 2001

DOMENICES
Del Grande-Domenices. On July 25, 2001. Nicholas. Age 92, of Camden, N.J. Beloved husband of Sophie (nee Koszarecki). Loving father of the late Peter Del Grande, also survived by 3 grandchildren, Deborah Del Grande, Mark Del Grande and Eric Del Grande and 5 great grandchildren Nicholas, Meghan, Laura, Eric and Elyse. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass Saturday 11:00 a.m. at the Church of the Sacred Heart, 1739 Ferry Ave., Camden, NJ 08104, where a viewing will be held from9:00 a.m. till time of Mass. Interment New Saint Marys Cemetery, Bellmawr. The family requests Memorial Contributions to Sacred Heart Church. Funeral arrangements by theBLAKE-DOYLE FUNERAL HOME, COLLINGSWOOD

Camden Courier-Post - February 15, 2002

DOMENICES, DEL GRANDE-DOMENICES SOPHIE
(Nee Koszarecki) On February 13, 2002, of Camden, NJ. Beloved wife of the late Nicholas Del Grande- Domenices. Loving mother of the late Peter Del Grande. Survived by 3 grandchildren: Deborah Del Grande, Mark Del Grande and Eric Del Grande; a god-daughter, Valencia Hawkins; and five great grandchildren: Nicholas, Meghan, Laura, Eric and Elyse. Sophie was the owner and proprietor of Nick's Cafe in Camden for 68 years, she was a member of the Lindenwold Moose Lodge. Sophie was a Republican 8th Ward Committee Woman during the 1960's and an avid bowler at Westbrook Lanes for 40 years. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass, Saturday 11 AM, Church of the Sacred Heart, 1739 Ferry Ave., Camden, NJ 08104, where a viewing will be held from 9 AM till time of Mass. Interment New Saint Mary's Cemetery, Bellmawr. The family requests Memorial Contributions to: Sacred Heart Church. Arrangements by the BLAKE-DOYLE FUNERAL HOME, Collingswood, NJ.