The former Charms building on the corner of Heck and Monroe avenues just off Cookman is a sore subject for a lot of people. A victim of the wrecking ball back in 2010, the Charms building was a beautiful architectural example of Asbury Park’s illustrious past.
Brian Watkins, who moved to Asbury 5 years ago with his wife, took this ghostly shot of The Charms just before it was bulldozed.
“I captured this on a very cold winter morning,” Watkins tells Asbury Park Sun. “I only had my point and shoot with me, but decided to get out of the car and take some shots anyway. I am not sure what drew me in to this building that morning, probably the stumps (the stumps have recently been cut down), but I can’t quite remember. I took (one) photo, and decided I had to get more shots of the building, figuring in my mind, ‘no way this building would be here much longer’. I was right too.”
Watkins really started pursuing his passion for photography when he moved to Asbury. He currently works for an investment software company in Jersey City. When he’s not working he likes skateboarding, photography, and lowrider bicycles.
To submit your Friday Foto, please email us at fridayfotoaps@gmail.com.
