Business & Tech
Photographer Captures Last Day at Middletown's Landmark Central News
In its heyday, Central News was open before the crack of dawn for factory workers, old timers and early risers looking to pass the time with coffee, breakfast and conversation.
On May 31, the last day Central News was open to customers, Middletown Police officer and photographer Al Kim stopped by to capture its essence in pictures.
On his Facebook Page, Kim has an album of photographs showing men enjoying cake and coffee and reminiscing over shots from years gone by, a group shot of faithful regulars outside the store, tobacco, cigars, hookas and more. The most poignant one by far is an interior photograph looking out the storefront glass, the reverse side of a "for rent" sign in the lower corner.
See the entire gallery of photographs here.
Kim accompanied his shots with a statement: "A bittersweet moment. Where a once colorful newstand and arguably Middletown icon, laden with racks of magazines from all subject matters from mundane to exotic and a great variety of cigars; it's passing was almost unheralded. Almost. I felt lucky that I caught the last 'official moments' of the morning ....."
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What do you remember about Central News or other longstanding Middletown businesses? Tell us in the comments below.
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