If you’re coming here after reading my previous blog post, “Timeless Travel: A Visit to Sturbridge Village Living Museum,” you’ll notice a trend. Ideal birthday gifts and experiences to me are antiques and historic outings. I don’t want something new and shiny. I want something old. We went to Sturbridge on the Saturday following my actual birthday, but on my actual birthday, I wanted to spend my day on a furniture restoration project. I started my day with a trip to the thrift shop. I knew I needed to be mindful of size- I had to be able to carry the item out myself. I wasn’t immediately interested in this piece, as I don’t love art deco stylings, but I fell in love as soon as I opened the two doors and saw this was more than just a small cabinet. 

As I opened the front doors of the cabinet, an attached bar shelf slid forward. As I closed the doors, the bar shelf slid back in. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t do this several times before picking the whole thing up and putting it in my cart. 

The piece screamed “art deco” and I was thinking it’d be fair to say 1930’s or 1940’s as an estimated time frame of when this cabinet was made. Unfortunately, the only markings I could find were some numbers on the bottom. 

In terms of research, I started out with a Google Image search. I was able to find someone else who had the same cabinet. Per their info, they stated this was a 1940 liquor cabinet or dry bar made from walnut wood. Per their price, this cabinet is worth nearly $700. 

While the bar itself had no other clues to where and when it was made, there was some accompanying key evidence. An actual key, and the key was engraved. On the key you can read, “CODMAN SQ. RADIO – 481 WASHINGTON – DOR. MASS.” I opened up Google Maps and typed in the address, 481 Washington St., Dorchester Center, Massachusetts. I can see it’s now a small beauty shop; hair, nails, makeup and lashes. Definitely not a radio store or even an electronics store. The present day storefront image shows a small business located on the far right end of a strip of other businesses, four in total. I then began to search for “Codman Square Radio” in Dorchester. Nothing. In a sense, I felt I hit another wall. I know there used to be a radio store at this location, but I couldn’t find any information about it online. 

My next step was to get in touch with the Dorchester Historical Society. I sent them an email about my liquor cabinet and what the key had engraved on it, including images, asking them if they had any information on the address or business name. I received a prompt response with some really interesting information! 

“According to business directories and newspaper ads, Codman Square Radio was located in Dorchester for a number of years, not always at the same location but most recently at 481 Washington Street. I found a record of it as early as 1929 and as late as 1970. I don’t believe it was a radio station, but more like a Radioshack. I have seen it referred to as a “Lane’s” as it was owned by someone named Albert Lane.”

Dorchester Historical Society

I also spoke with my father, who grew up in Dorchester. I asked him if he was familiar with either the name “Lane’s” or “Codman Square Radio”, and he was! He stated that he purchased a walkman from the store around the 1970’s. 

At that point it felt that all had come together. I felt satisfied. I try to imagine what working in Dorchester Center would have been like in the years between 1929 and 1970 and what part this cabinet would have played in a typical day of business. It can certainly be noted that alcohol in the workplace was commonplace in the mid 1900’s. We’ve all seen Mad Men, life was just different. I envision this dry bar being nearby Mr. Lane’s office desk, likely being used on the daily. Maybe it was for personal use, maybe it was there as an appliance to aid in business sales and important conversations. We may never know. 

If anyone has more information about Codman Square Radio or Albert Lane, or has any additional information on this alcohol cabinet, I implore you to reach out! 

Handcrafted Renewal

1. Thoroughly washed the inside and outside of the cabinet.
2. Removed the sliding tray and all hardware.
3. Sanded the top, left and right side of the cabinet to raw wood.
4. Scuff sanded the inside of the cabinet, the sliding tray and the decorative trim on the front/bottom of the cabinet.
5. Repaired tray damage with glue and wood filler.
6. Cleaned all hardware and used Rub n’ Buff.
7. Repainted door handle, replicating gold vertical stripes.
8. Stained and applied polyurethane on top, left and right side of cabinet.
9. Applied Restore A Finish on all inside wood and bottom decorative trim. 
10. Applied Feed-N-Wax on all inside wax and bottom decorative trim.
11. Thoroughly washed Bakelite caster wheels, applied Rub n’ Buff on wheel casing. 

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Product Description

• Height (w/ Casters): 29.5 In
• Width: 23 In
• Depth: 15 In
• Original Bakelite wheels
• Keyhole with original key (labeled “bar key”)

Slide out Tray

• 6 shot glass spaces; 1.75 In
• 6 whiskey glass spaces; 2.75 In
• Ice bucket space; 5.75 In
• Additional space; 3.75 In