Our History
Culver Liquor and Bar History
The Liquor License for the now Culver Liquor and Bar was the first to be issued in Frankford Township after prohibition. It was originally issued to McKeown’s Restaurant, when it was located near Ross’ Corner in Augusta.
Years later, the license was purchased by Bud Blakeslee, who moved the license to the current location of 364 Route 206 in Branchville, New Jersey. Blakeslee then moved the license again and opened Bud’s Bar in the corner of Dale’s Market that remains on the East Shore of Culver Lake.
Carlo Celluci Sr. purchased the business and the liquor license in 1978 and ran the business from the corner of Dale’s Market until the lease ran out in 1989. At that point, the business was sold to his son, Carlo Celluci Jr., who moved the business back to the 364 Route 206 location. The Pinecone Café was at this location and had burnt down. Carlo Jr. built a new building at the 364 Route 206 location and reopened Bud’s in September of 1990.
In August of 1995, the business was sold again to Charles LaPrelle, who continued to operate Bud’s with his wife, Aleen. They ran the business for nearly 27 years before selling to their nephew in March of 2022.
The current owners, James McNamara and his wife, Cami, kept Bud’s open through the end of 2022. At the beginning of 2023 they undertook a renovation to update the building that was now over 30 years old. In May of 2023, they reopened the business under the new name of Culver Liquor and Bar.
