A 1991 photo shows the Bearfort Lodge and behind it the newly built Valley View Pub that opened that year. (
)
The first bar/restaurant located at 1612 Union Valley Road in West Milford was the Bearfort Lodge, open in the 1930s and 1940s and later. In 1991, the Valley View Pub opened, and the old tavern was torn down. Emil and Anna (Sless) Fendelander were host and hostess at their Bearfort Lodge. Later when the site became the Valley View Pub it belonged to Steve and Richard Castronova. In the early days of phone service in West Milford the original phone number at Bearfort Lodge was West Milford 4-9761.
When the Fendelanders were in business Anna was in the kitchen preparing meals and Emil handled the bar. The original building, with a later addition, was built with local chestnut logs, as were newly built cabins in the developing Pinecliff Lake community. An advertisement for the restaurant said the “finest in food” was being served from the kitchen and it reported “Excellent Wedding and Banquet facilities, a Beautiful Picnic Grove, Color Television.” In the 1950s Ginny Hedgecock, a Pinecliff Lake resident, was a local popular singer and often on a Friday night she sang songs of the day with me as her instrumental accompanist. Ginny was in the choir at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, where I was the church organist. Along with Mary Kelly of West Milford Lakes, she did some of the solo singing in our choir presentations. Emil liked music and bought an organ and located it in the Bearfort Lodge premises. One of the songs of the day was “Only You” popularized by The Platters in 1955. Emil said it was his favorite. So we often did that one for him.
Emil Fendelander, proprietor of the Bearfort Lodge, was just 56 years old when he died at Idylease Convalescent Home in 1963. He was a patient there for six days. Born in Paterson he lived in West Milford for 16 years and was a member of the West Milford Tavern Owners Association. He was survived by his wife, a son Emil A. Fendelander Jr., three grandchildren and two brothers, Charles Fendelander and Jacob Fwndelander of Paterson.
John and Grace (Fleming) moved to West Milford from New York City, when their son Richard was five years old. Steven wasn’t born until they were settled in West Milford. They also became the parents of Thomas, Susan and John Castronova. The children grew up attending and graduating from local schools. As adults Steve and Richard owned and operated the popular Valley View Pub. Their time in business was not uneventful with problems stemming from complying with existing laws, police surveillance, and numerous events that produced trying times for them. Through adversity, Richard and Steve managed to keep smiling and pleasing customers.
The Valley View is remembered for its Interesting and delicious “American Cuisine.” Featured on the menu in the early years of Valley View Pub were a choice of favorite wings – Buffalo, Teriyaki, BBQ, Garlic Parmesan or Francese for $9.95. There was a Valley View Combo Plate featuring Chicken Fingers, Potato Skins, Mozzarella Sticks and Pigs in a Blanket for $7.95. Homemade soups were another popular favorite. Full course meals were available too – with Pot Roast at $12.95; St. Louis Style BBQ Ribs and Pan-Fried Pork Chops and NY Strip Steak 8 ounces $15.95 and 12 ounce $22.95.
Sadly for Richard, Steve and their supportive customers, the days of Valley View Pub ended. Since May 19, 2024, the building has been the location for “Doobiez”, a New Jersey state licensed cannabis dispensary.
Richard Castronova, age 69, passed away on Aug. 24, 2025. He had worked as a mail carrier and his final job was as a custodian employed by the West Milford Board of Education. His wife was Marion (Laino) Castronova. He was a father and a grandfather. Their children are Richard Jr. and Danielle and grandchildren are McKenna, Giovanna and Levi. Grace CaHe was a father and grandfather. Among family members surviving him are a son Richard Jr., Daughter Danielle; grandchildren McKecnna, Giovanna and Levi. And siblings Thomas, Susan and Steven. Grace Castronova passed in 1995, and her husband John died in 2009. Their son John passed in 1973.
