The Evil Clown of Middletown
March 9th, 2016 by Mr. C
(Spirits Unlimited {Circus Liquors} – 835 State Route 35 Middletown,NJ)
This 30 foot sinister looking clown has been at this location on Rt. 35 in Middletown, NJ since 1956 advertising the local FOOD CIRCUS supermarket (predecessor to the FoodTown supermarket chains). This Food Circus market has been closed for 25+ years and a Spirits Unlimited/Circus Liquors have taken its place since, but now talks of selling the property and business, has the locals all fired up about the possibility of taking down Calico – the evil clown of Middletown – an icon of the town for 60 years!
So, in comes the Evil Clown Art exhibit hosted by the AJ Dillon Gallery nearby at Atlantic Highlands featuring local artists from the Jersey shore displaying creepy clown artwork in the vain of Calico, the Evil Clown of Middletown – all to bring awareness to the 30 foot tall steel structure. I live in North Jersey but I work nearby the iconic clown sign for years now but I honestly never paid too much attention to it other than I thought the clown was cool and nostalgic. Then the news about the evil clown exhibit had my antennas on overdrive and after reading up more on the history of Calico and Food Circus – I felt more of a connection to the cause. The Planet Chocko crew made the 50+ mile trek from up North to get a glimpse of the art inspired by Calico – who has been frightening and delighting passerbys since ’56. The Evil Clown of Middletown has been set to be removed from its original location to make way for commercial development but hopefully the awareness from the art exhibit will stir something up otherwise to keep Calico in place! Visit the Evil Clown exhibit at AJ Dillon Gallery – buy the artwork – get T-Shirts – talk about it amongst friends – spread the word of Calico! Cherish local culture and stay weird!
But first, we MUST stop by another iconic destination all in the name of Kevin Smith’s – 1994 movie – CLERKS! We couldn’t believe why we haven’t visited Quick Stop sooner since we all live and work in NJ. But today, we would slay 2 iconic Jersey monsters with one stone!
(Apparently nothing has changed at the Quick Stop bodega since 1994. The exterior and interior looks as crusty as vintage 94 gets!)
Spirits Unlimited (Circus Liquors)
835 State Route 35
Middletown, NJ 07748
AJ Dillon Gallery
54 First Avenue Atlantic Highlands, NJ
Evil Clown Show exhibit on display from March 5 for 1 month
Quick Stop Grocery
58 Leonard Ave, Leonardo, NJ 07737
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(artwork from the Evil clown show at AJ Dillon Gallery)
(Calico made from a matchbook)
(Yes, the evil empire himself!)
(Even Christie wants Calico to remain)
(Tillie – was also created by Leslie Worth Thomas, the same artist who made Calico – the Evil Clown of Middletown)
(Get your Calico merch!)
(apparently, I wasn’t alone in the restroom, literally scared the crap out of me!)
(The circular for the grand opening of Food Circus in 1956!)
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