Braca Cafe

The Braca Family has contributed much to Sea Isle City, Lou and Madelena Braca settled here in 1901 and opened a barber shop at 41st Street and Landis Avenue, which had stuffed animals hanging on the walls. It was called a Tonsorial Parlor that did men and ladies hair and also face massages. The Braca Cafe was operated by Louis Braca, Jr. Angela Braca Dalrymple, Hennetta Braca Gibson and Lena Braca Castaldi. One of our contributors remembers delivering papers for the news agency while his father worked as a bartender in the Cafe. He sold so many papers he was allowed in the movies free! Many mentioned Lou Braca, Jr. making his deliveries in his Jeep, accompanied by his St. Bernard Dog. Lou Jr's son, Louis III, worked with his father from an early age delivering papers, minding the store and running the movies at the Braca and Madelyn theatres. In 1941, the Plaza at 43rd and Landis was purchased Rooms were rented and a store run by Anna Schmidt and Mazie Delaney was opened on the first floor. In 1964, this property was sold by Mary and Gar Gibson to the First National Bank. After the 1962 storm. Angela Braca Dalrymple rebuilt the card and gift shop, which is still run by her family. Although many of the enterprises built by Louis and Madelena Braca have been destroyed by storms, their numerous descendants continue to play an important role in Sea Isle City.