OUR HISTORY
Great businesses have great beginnings, and ours is no exception. Berges Trenton Awning has been family owned and operated for over nine decades.
In 1927, Louis Berges, inspired by the American dream, moved to Atlantic City, NJ, and started an awning business with his wife, Mary. Honoring their first US. home in New Jersey’s capital, they named it “Berges Trenton Awning.” Mary coined our famous motto: “AWNINGS JUST A SHADE BETTER.”
The first shop opened on Missouri Avenue, then moved to Melrose, and finally settled on Massachusetts Avenue in Atlantic City. By the 1930s, we were the leading awning provider on the island, creating custom awnings for the world famous Atlantic City Boardwalk.
Louis’ son, Ronald, joined the business in the 1940s, and together they continued growing the company.
In 1957, the third generation, Richard Berges, was born.
Richard started working at the Massachusetts Avenue shop in 1975 and helped the business expand further. In the late 70s, with the growth of Atlantic City’s casino industry, we moved inland to Pleasantville, transforming Southern Dry Cleaners into our largest shop yet.
The 1980s were some of our strongest years as we took on more residential work and cemented our place in the South Jersey awning market.
In 1985, the fourth generation, Nathan Berges, was born. I spent my summers growing up and learning the trade.
By 2004 I joined full-time, celebrating our 80th anniversary alongside my father and grandfather.
Our biggest expansion came in 2021, when we moved to our current shop in Somers Point, transforming this property into a state-of-the-art awning manufacturing facility.
THE AMERICAN DREAM
Some more nostalgia from the Berges archives.
“JUST A SHADE BETTER”
From our humble beginnings chasing the American Dream, Berges Trenton Awning has grown into a multi-faceted business with a bright future. We look forward to celebrating our next milestone of 100 years in business.