A Holiday Puzzle

[JP68]

OK lets have some memory fun of Paterson
First well start with a year or center on a group of years.
Lets take 1966 as the base and figure things didn't change much +/- 2 years either way.
The challenge Let see if we can name all the stores that ran first from Market to Ellison on Main on the left side.
This was the side with Kresege's on it.
OK lets see if we can get them in order corner to corner
Its tough I dont know if I can remember them all
but lets try.

[JOJO]

Well, that is a hard one. I know that a Jewelry store was on the corner. maybe after some other people get this going and name a few more stores I might start to remember.
JOJO

[Robin]

Wasn't Stern's/Quackenbush on the corner? I think that I am on the right side. The Mart was there also. The peanut store with the person dressed in the Mr. Peanut outfit was there. How about Grants? I may be mixing these up. I know that Grants and Kresgees (SP?) were on the same side. Thats all that I can think of right now.

Robin

[joanie]

I remember that Lady Rose was next to Kresgees and Miles shoe store was on the corner if I'm talking about the correct side. Across the street was Fanny Farmer, Stentchivers (sp) ? John's Bargain store, (Cheap John's) some record store also. Between VanHouton and Ellison sts was Meyer Brothers.

[JP68]

Suprisingly no one has mentioned the old Woolworths that was down the street from Quaks.
I can still smell the lunch counter there with those huge sub sandwiches thay made and the popcorn going.
I remember being in there one time with Rubert Stewart and her got up and started singing to the girl behind the counter. She didnt know where to run.
I know its hard to remember all the stores that were downtown but there were so many that we use to go to and I guess took for granted that they would always be there.
Remember Passaic County Stationary thye had the biggest collection of Cliff Notes.
And what about Paterson Army and Navy on main street
Still there you know.
I worked with a guy that was looking for some things and he asked where I thought he could get them
I told him Paterson ARmy Navy I looked in the phone book and saw they were still around
And guess what they had what he was looking for.
Places like Bograds and the music store and the US theater will always be there we just have to remember strolling down memory lane.

[Robin]

Woolworth's... that's right. It was Woolworth's that was near Grants, not Kreskees. Bograd's moved to Riverdale on Hamburg Tpk. about 5 years ago. How about the Hamburger Express. It was the luncheonette that served you your hamburger via a model train. It was on Ellison up near City Hall. Then there was the Swiss bakery, Hollywood button and a fabric store all on Ellison near the parking area.

My first job, before DD, was as a waitress in CH Martin. I would walk down there from home every Sat. AM. That was when you could walk anywhere in Paterson and not be afraid. Not true today!!!!

I do remember "Cheap John's" and Stenshievers (sp?). When Willowbrook opened Stens moved up there as did Sterns. Meyer Brothers always facinated me. It had the best architecture of all the stores. Their Christmas displays were memorable.

I drive through there every once in a while. It is so true that "you can't go home again" but you can remember.

[shears]

OK- here's a guess from someone who spent waayyy too much time downtown!
Market- Ellison:
Arkin's Jewlery -corner of Market & Main
Wise Shoes -became Fabco?
Ace drugs (25 cents/can hair spray!)
Gray's
Elbows
Kresge's - became CH Martin; That luncheonette counter was adjacent to ladies' lingerie- we used to peek & laugh at the pointy bras!
Kresge's 25 cents-$1 store
Lady Rose
Behrman's (very cool clothes for the more affluent "in-crowd,"- conveniently/appropriately located directly across from "Sten's")
Thom McAn Shoes

Ellison to Van Houten:
Stern's Quakenbush
The Mart
Woolworth's
Franklin Milliner/ Cosmo Hosiery (remember the days before panty-hose?)
Miles Shoes

Van Houten to Broadway:
Grants
Slaters Linoleum-
Mack drugs
Rivoli theater converted to junk store
Paterson wig
Sylvette's

Thanks JB- J for the jogging for the gray matter- and another reason to call & enjoy a chat with my cute little mother (Central H.S. class of '43) who remembers the dress she bought at Jordan's in 1948 long before Jordan's became Wise shoes. Even my 83 year old Dad (Eastside H.S., class of '39) put in his 2cents worth (I cheated)- and of course, he remembers Main Street as if he walked downtown this afternoon-something he'd better not attempt- You're right, Robin- too dangerous!
Across the street is a blur to me except for my favorites-Loft's & Fanny Farmer!

[diffident 12]

COME ON, YOU LURKERS!! The views:replies ratios say there are many more of you/us reading than writing - it would be great to hear from you- am sure you have much to contribute! Be safe, be anonymous if you're more comfortable, but please join in-telll us what you're doing, how far from Paterson you have drifted/settled, how long since Paterson's umbilical cord has drawn you back, what did you find changed for better, for worse, what are your best Paterson memories? Thanks!

[Robin]

Diffident 12... Did you go to JFK or Central? In what part of the city did you grow up?

I have great memories of Paterson. I must love it because I still go everyday to work.

Robin

[joanie]

Robin,
I noticed tat you mentioned that you worked in CH Martin. So did I. I worked there from 1973 til about 1976 while I was in school. You must know Sheila Brower and Lorraine fom behind the lunch counter. I worked the lunch counter also and I worked with Jenny and Theresa who were older women at the time. They were sisters and they really were the sweetest ladies you could know. How about Pam Lembo and Roland Parker do you remember them? Mr. E. was there when I worked and Mr G and his brother were the owners. I have so many funny stories about working there. We had a great time. Remember Fran on the front register and Elizabeth in lingerie?

[Robin]

I only worked there for about three months in 1970. I then went to work at Dunkin Donuts on Union Ave. and Willowbrook. I do remember Corrine Jennings who was also a waitress and Mr. G sounds familiar. I know you. You went to school with my sister, Janet. We went to 5's, 19's and she went on to Tech, I went to JFK and graduated in 1973. You and my sister were in the same grade in 19's and 5's. In fact my father rode to work with either your father or grandfather. Did either work in Okonite Cable co. in Paterson? Name Mike? Do you have a brother Michael?

Small world isn't it??

[joanie]

Robin
I remember going to school with your sister but I don't remember you. You must be mixing up my family with someone else. My father worked in Clifton at Allstate Can Corp. Our last name was Plavier and we lived in the Brooksloate Projects. My father had uncles and cousins around the Paterson area. How is your sister doing is she still in the area?
If your teaching in Kennedy you must know Chuck Cornato. He is best friends with my husband Ken from their college days at Montclair. He happens to be my daughters godfather. He is the most optimistic person I know. ;D

[Robin]

Are you Jackie Breslin's relative? I remember Plaviers that lived on Front Street.

I do know Chuck. He is a very up person and he writes great songs. Ask him about his STEM songs.

I did have you mixed up with someone else. I will ask my sister if she remembers you. She moved to San Francisco about 17 years ago.

Robin

[joanie]

Robin,
No, I'm no relative of Jackie Breslin. Didn't know any Plaviers that lived on Front Street either. Lived in Brooksloat from 1960 til 1978. Yeah we heard about Chucks stem song, hes funny and like you said very up beat. I'm sure he makes a great teacher.
Joanie

[Eileen]

Guest-shears said:

OK- here's a guess from someone who spent waayyy too much time downtown!
Market- Ellison:
Arkin's Jewlery -corner of Market & Main
Wise Shoes -became Fabco?
Ace drugs (25 cents/can hair spray!)
Gray's
Elbows
Kresge's - became CH Martin; That luncheonette counter was adjacent to ladies' lingerie- we used to peek & laugh at the pointy bras!
Kresge's 25 cents-$1 store
Lady Rose
Behrman's (very cool clothes for the more affluent "in-crowd,"- conveniently/appropriately located directly across from "Sten's")
Thom McAn Shoes

Ellison to Van Houten:
Stern's Quakenbush
The Mart
Woolworth's
Franklin Milliner/ Cosmo Hosiery (remember the days before panty-hose?)
Miles Shoes

Van Houten to Broadway:
Grants
Slaters Linoleum-
Mack drugs
Rivoli theater converted to junk store
Paterson wig
Sylvette's

Thanks JB- J for the jogging for the gray matter- and another reason to call & enjoy a chat with my cute little mother (Central H.S. class of '43) who remembers the dress she bought at Jordan's in 1948 long before Jordan's became Wise shoes. Even my 83 year old Dad (Eastside H.S., class of '39) put in his 2cents worth (I cheated)- and of course, he remembers Main Street as if he walked downtown this afternoon-something he'd better not attempt- You're right, Robin- too dangerous!
Across the street is a blur to me except for my favorites-Loft's & Fanny Farmer!


I spoke with your cute little mother today too ( she's also my mother ) ........
.......further down Main and on the other side of Broadway was Port Arthur, the chinese resturant on the second floor.