Name/Title
MatchbookEntry/Object ID
2020.005.0027Description
This is a matchbook from the Brewery at 120 West H Street in Benicia. (This is a private property and artist studio now.) It was owned by Joe Bernard and Frank Andrade since 1954. It was run by Joe until his death in 1995 and then by his son Jerry Bernard until 2000 when Jerry moved to Mexico.
Jerry died in 2009 and his obituary says in part:
Jerry was born in Vallejo and graduated from San Juan High School in Citrus Heights, Calif. Jerry worked at the Brewery/Tia Theresa, a family owned Bar & Restaurant in Benicia for almost 25 years until 2000 when he moved to Mexico. After settling in Mexico, he owned and operated Gringo Jerry's, a bar and restaurant in Las Juntas for several years. He was preceded in death by his father, Joe Bernard, in 1995. The attached newspaper account describes Joe Bernard's life.
Inside the Brewery are murals painted on the walls showing various historical moments in Benicia's history. They were painted by Lester Vandre in 1946/1947. Included in the faces on the wall are some local residents including Joe Bernard.
One interesting incident at the Brewery was the music video shot there in 1984. Bon Jovi were one of the most popular rock bands of the late '80s, but before they were superstars, they shot a music video in Benicia. The song was "She Don't Know Me," . It was only a minor hit in 1984, having just missed the top 40, but the video has become a bit of a curio for Benicians as it serves as a mini time capsule for the city in the '80s. There are shots of the First Street Pier, the old Lido building and the structure on East H Street that used to house The Brewery and the Mexican restaurant Tia Theresa.
(See the video by selecting the "Media" button on this record OR if online, selecting the option shown below.)Collection
Benicia Historical Museum Collection
