The first resident on record came in 1909, widow Elizabeth Hendrickson. In 1912, for the buying price of $1,800, inspector Matthew Neil became the proud owner. By 1914, the house was also home to Matthew's father, wife and son. In 1920, the home underwent it's first transformation, becoming the business office for several medical professionals, the first being Dr. Horace S. Woolston, a dentist. Casona served as residence for the the doctor's family and was one of the first homes to have a telephone, a Bell 242J, an innovative feature which may have appeared thanks to the doctor's son, Stephen, who was a telegraph operator. From 1931 to 1945, Dr. Harold Eynon practiced and lived in Casona, along with his wife, Sara. Dr. Alex Storer, one of the borough's most prominent physicians, practiced in the space from 1947 through the 1980s. The chain of family physicians' offices ended in February 2004, when Christopher Johnson sold the property to Lawrence Grillo and his business partners, Mark and Michele Infantado.

Now, with it's new owners, 563 Haddon Avenue is experiencing a massive transformation. Under the strict supervision of master-builder Lawrence Grillo and HVAC and sheet-metal expert Mark Infantado, the house is being beautifully renovated and restored. Originally a 2 1/2 story builder's version of a Colonial Revival home, Casona was constructed on a 60x150 foot lot and featured a wrap-around porch. At the prompting of Michele Infantado, the porch has been resurrected according to its historical dimensions. The original windows and wood siding and been wonderfully preserved and the interior has been gutted to its original mahoghany studs. The porch roof also features a standing-seam metal roof, common to many Collingswood homes in the 1900s. But the new owners had more in mind than a restoration...

Opening April 8, 2006, Casona is a little Havana in the heart of Collingswood. Featuring a menu ranging from traditional Cuban fare to Nouveau Latin cuisine, Casona will also be home to truly innovative dishes such as mouth-watering vegetarian versions of traditional Cuban favorites as well as an in-house coffee bar and panaderia. Our master chef has created a tantalizing menu that is sure to satisfy even the most discerning of Latin palates.

Join us in celebrating the joy of Latin cuisine!