A television show is currently being filmed at the famous site of the former Circus Liquors in Middletown.
A film crew from MRC and Truck Stop Productions arrived on the location on Tuesday, the township said. Several Hollywood productions have been filmed at the Route 35 property, which is famous for its 18-foot-tall evil clown sign known as “Calico.”
The production team will conduct temporary construction at the property, transforming it to look like a gas station. The gas station will not be operational and will be removed when filming is concluded in June 2026, the township said. No information has been released on what production is being filmed there.
“Middletown has become a welcoming destination for film and television productions,” Mayor Tony Perry said. “Our diverse locations, easy access and close coordination with production teams continue to attract major projects.”
The famous evil clown sign can be seen in the opening scene of the 2006 film Clerks II. Other movies filmed at the property include its 2022 sequel, Clerks III, as well as Happy Gilmore 2 and an upcoming crime thriller titled The Last Mrs. Parrish.
The town did not name the television show that is currently filming at the famous landmark.
The evil clown has been at the Route 35 location since 1956, when the former Food Circus grocery store opened at the site. In 2024, the liquor store, now named Circus Wines Beer & Spirits, moved to a new space at Middletown Plaza, about a mile away. At the time of the move, the store announced that the iconic clown sign would stay put.