Big Apple Inn (Somerdale, NJ, 1937-1999)

The Big Apple Inn, at Somerdale Road and White Horse Pike in Somerdale, New Jersey, opened in 1937. It was surely named after then then-popular “Big Apple” dance craze.
 
In 1964, it became Ann’s Tavern, and in 1968 it was sold to Bill Haigh, who renamed it The Big Apple and featured many musical artists. In 1978, it was renamed The Galaxy and featured rock bands. The Galaxy was sold in 1999.
 
 
Newspapers.com
5 July 1950, Courier-Post (Camden, NJ), pg. 18, col. 5 ad:
(Ad for the Big Apple Inn.—ed.)
 
Newspapers.com
26 June 1964, Courier-Post (Camden, NJ), pg. 23, col. 1 ad:
(Ad for Ann’s Tavern, formerly the Big Apple Inn.—ed.)
 
Newspapers.com
30 January 1976, Courier-Post (Camden, NJ), pg. 35, col. 5 ad:
(Ad for The Big Apple.—ed.)
 
Newspapers.com
13 October 1978, Courier-Post (Camdne, NJ), TGIF sec., “In the Clubs” by Stewart Ettinger, pg. 4, col. 3:
THE BIG APPLE (you guessed it—on White Horse Pike in Somerdale) has changed its name to THE GALAXY and once again is offering live entertainment. Longtime owner BILL HAIGH has tripled the size of the place and completely remodeled. He’s finishing the inside and will take care of the outside in a couple weeks.
 
Newspapers.com
17 November 1998, Courier-Post (Camden, NJ), “Obituaries,” pg. 16A, col. 2:
(Obituary for Elizabeth Agnes Ward, owner of the Big Apple Inn in the 1950s.—ed.)
 
Newspapers.com
14 March 2003, Courier-Post (Camden, NJ), “Obituaries,” pg. 2B, col. 3:
(Obituary for William F. “Bill” Haigh, who bought The Big Apple and changed it to the Galaxy Night Club.—ed.)
 
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The Real Galaxy Family ·
Mike Bullwinkle Minnick ·
December 19, 2021 at 7:59 PM ·
This is what the Galaxy Nightclub in Somerdale NJ looked like in the 1940’s… At The time it was the Big Apple Inn. Many of you will remember that when Bill Haigh purchased the club, it was still the Big Apple..
Photo provided by Kathy Carmelly
 
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About South Jersey
Rick Grenda ·
March 18, 2024 at 3:29 PM ·
The Galaxy
A long time ago but not so far far away.
In 1937 Carmine Musciano a shoe cobbler from Camden opened a neighborhood bar at 5 East Somerdale Rd, Somerdale called the Big Apple Inn. By 1950 it was up for sale.
In the 1950’s it was operated by several proprietors including a a professional boxer from Camden named Ray Smith.
In 1964 it was sold and became Ann’s Tavern.
Then in 1968 it was sold to Bill Haigh who again named it The Big Apple.
He began booking live Rock N Roll bands and that proved very popular. Realizing his bar was too small he enlarged it to triple its original size.
In the 1970’s he began showcasing Hair Glam Metal bands and renamed his place Galaxy
One of the more popular was the local band Cinderella who eventually got a major label record deal after being discovered by Bon Jovi.
Galaxy was a hair band mecca thru the 80’s and a very popular weekend hangout & pick-up bar. It added a recording studio on the second floor and the owners began producing up & coming bands.
That style of music faded in the 1990’s and the bar went thru a series of unsuccessful reincarnations and in 1998 was put up for sheriff’s sale for $200,000 in unpaid taxes.
Around 2001 it became the Precious Pet Store & Pet Hotel. That closed a few years ago and I believe the building is vacant and up for sale.
 
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I Want My Rock - South & Central NJ, Philly, DE & The Burbs Music Scene ·
Mike Bullwinkle Minnick
September 2, 2024 at 10:51 AM ·
The Galaxy Night Club Somerdale NJ Through The Years. The Galaxy was originally called the Big Apple. The photo is undated, but it’s probably from the 30s or 40s? Of course, the Galaxy has been closed for many years, but oh those memories will live on forever ...
The Galaxy by Rick Grenda
A long time ago but not so far away.
In 1937 Carmine Musciano a shoe cobbler from Camden opened a neighborhood bar at 5 East Somerdale Rd, Somerdale called the Big Apple Inn. By 1950 it was up for sale.
In the 1950’s it was operated by several proprietors including a professional boxer from Camden named Ray Smith.
In 1964 it was sold and became Ann’s Tavern.
Then in 1968, it was sold to Bill Haigh who again named it The Big Apple.
He began booking live Rock N Roll bands and that proved very popular. Realizing his bar was too small he enlarged it to triple its original size.
In the 1970’s he began showcasing Hair Glam Metal bands and renamed his place Galaxy
One of the more popular was the local band Cinderella who eventually got a major label record deal after being discovered by Bon Jovi.
Galaxy was a hair band mecca through the 80’s and a very popular weekend hangout & pick-up bar. It added a recording studio on the second floor and the owners began producing up-and-coming bands.
That style of music faded in the 1990’s and the bar went through a series of unsuccessful reincarnations and in 1998 was put up for sheriff’s sale for $200,000 in unpaid taxes.
Around 2001 it became the Precious Pet Store & Pet Hotel. That closed a few years ago and I believe the building is vacant and up for sale
 
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Haddonfield United
February 15, 2026 at 12:09 PM ·
Galaxy on the White Horse Pike in Somerdale. Also known to some as the Big Apple