COLLINGSWOOD, N.J. – Fan of the HBO series “Curb Your Enthusiasm” are none too familiar with what happens when two adjoining businesses go to war. The epic battle between Mocha Joe and Larry David’s competing coffee shops made for a great season for the Seinfeld writer’s own show, but it in New Jersey, a similar neighborly business spat has turned violent. In Collingswood, two businesses, Bliss Coffee Company and Macona BBQ which share a downtown storefront retail building have been at odds with each other, according to NJ Pen. That disagreement escalated after a chef at the Macona BBQ was hit in the head with a shovel by the owner of the adjacent “Bliss” coffee shop.
According to the Camden County Prosecutor’s office, the Collingswood business owner has been charged after hitting a neighboring business’s employee in the head with a shovel.
Brian McBride, 42, of Washington Township, was charged last month with one count of third-degree aggravated assault, one count of third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and one count of fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon.
Police were called to the 500 block of Haddon Ave. on Aug. 3 for a report of an armed subject who assaulted a man. When they arrived, officers found the victim on the ground suffering from a wound to the head.
A witness told police he saw McBride swing and hit the victim in the head with a shovel, causing the victim to fall to the ground. Through the investigation, detectives discovered surveillance footage that shows the victim stumbling to the ground after being assaulted. McBride was arrested on Aug. 4 and taken to the Camden County Correctional Facility.