Buzby's History
Built in 1865 by Neil Wade and later owned by Benjamin O. Wade, the building was acquired by Willis Jefferson Buzby and his wife, Myrtle in 1865.Upon his death in 1939, his son, Willis Johnathon Buzby (Jack) and his wife Katie (Katherine Ritzendollar) took over the store. Jack continued with the title "King of the Pineys." The Buzbys sold the store in 1967. After this series of owners operated the store until it was sold at a tax sale. Assignment of the tax lien was purchased by BARNEGAT LIGHT PRESS, INC. in 1996. After foreclosure was completed, restoration and renovation began.
During restoration it was learned that the original building did not include the one story section on the south side. This section was called the Feed Room because it was the storage area for animal feed.
The original building's first floor was divided into two large rooms and an entrance hall with a staircase. Transom windows above a south side door indicated that this was a rear outside door. Also, framing for a window on the south side was uncovered.
The large fireplace, opened during restoration, was found to contain a chimney connecting the coal burning furnace in the basement to the fireplace flu. It appears that this fireplace was originally used for cooking and this room was at one time living quarters. When coal became available, the furnace was installed and the chimney placed in the fireplace.
The screened porch in the north side originally extended across the room. At sometime this porch was enclosed and made into part of the west room (gift shop). The east room was originally used as a store before the building was purchased by the Busbys.
The Buzby families served the community in many ways, particularly as a source of food stuffs, kerosene, gasoline, hardware, gunning supplies, animal feed, and at one time as the Post Office (1934). During the great depression the Buzbys aided many in the community.
Buzby's was remodeled in the 1920's. The large windows and a new corner door were installed. In 1921 Esso gasoline was sold at the store, as was kerosene. In 1972 the second floor of the store was remodeled. It is not known when the bathroom and kitchen were installed on this floor. The second floor originally contained four rooms, all used as bedrooms. During remodeling walls were paneled with luan plywood and the yellow pine floorboards covered with carpeting. Hot water baseboard heat was installed.
In 1978 the new owners rebuilt the one story south section, the Feed Room, added a second bathroom, and upgraded the septic system. The store continued to flourish supplying local residents with the necessities of life.
During the recent restoration evidence of a second staircase was uncovered on the east wall. The stairs to the basement were removed during the renovation. The stairs to the second floor had been removed at an unknown time.
After a series of owners, the store deteriorated and finally closed in 1992. Furnishings except for the candy counter and a few chairs and tables were sold at auction. The candy counter is now restored and again has a prominent place in Buzbys.
Today the store, restored to it's earlier splendor, consist of THE CHESHIRE CAT, a gift shop, serving primarily as a Pinelands resource center offering books, art, and crafts related to the Pine Barrens and a cafe. The second floor consists of an apartment.
The garage/workshop next to the store burned in 1996. Today it has been replaced by a new red barn serving as a garage and storage area for BARNEGAT LIGHT PRESS and PINE BARRENS PRESS.
During the restoration and remodeling of BUZBY'S CHATSWORTH GENERAL STORE we have attempted to retain the original character of the building while providing facilities to again serve the community.
PO Box 607
3959 Route 563
Chatsworth, NJ 08019-0607
Telephone: (609) 894-4415
Fax: (609) 894-2350
E-Mail for Buzby's Chatsworth General Store pbp@verizon.net
This site maintained by edb2@comcast.net