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Batavia Trivia - Pizza Shop in East Town Plaza?

By Bea McManis

Does anyone remember a pizza shop in the East Town Plaza?  Not Domino's but a real pizza shop?  Where was it located?  Where was Your Host located? 

Gary Spencer

Bea,
you have me thinking now! I don't remember that! I remember Your Host, and my mother used to work and The Big N that was there, but a pizza shop is not ringing any bells! I'll have to keep my eyes out here to see what folks remember!
Gary

Jul 8, 2009, 11:19pm Permalink
Onofrio A. Perzia

Bea,
I remember that the Your Host Restaurant was located in the space between Lane's Drugs and the HFC office (which was in the corner store front). I don't remember a pizza shop.

Jul 9, 2009, 1:22am Permalink
Dennis Jay

Bea,
In the late sixties, Your Host was THE place to hang out for young teens. They used to throw us out when our money ran out and we couldn't order anything. The day the Big N opened was a proud one for that side of town -- our first big department store.

When was the pizza shop there?

Jul 9, 2009, 5:33am Permalink
Jeff Allen

I remember my mom taking me shopping for "dungarees" at Big N and lunch at Your Host, but no pizza shop. I wonder what most of this generation would answer if asked what "dungarees" are?

Jul 9, 2009, 6:05am Permalink
Bea McManis

Posted by Dennis Jay on July 9, 2009 - 5:33am
Bea,
In the late sixties, Your Host was THE place to hang out for young teens. They used to throw us out when our money ran out and we couldn't order anything. The day the Big N opened was a proud one for that side of town -- our first big department store.

When was the pizza shop there?

I'm not sure. The stores in that plaza were discussed and someone, at that discussion, asked me if I remembered a pizza shop there. I thought there was, but don't remember who's shop it was.
I do remember Your Host. I had a friend who came through town about once a week. We would meet there for coffee.

Jul 9, 2009, 6:28am Permalink
Bea McManis

Posted by Jeff Allen on July 9, 2009 - 6:05am
I remember my mom taking me shopping for "dungarees" at Big N and lunch at Your Host, but no pizza shop. I wonder what most of this generation would answer if asked what "dungarees" are?

Too funny, Jeff.
I remember taking the kids there for dungarees too.
Did you know that Carhart still sells dungarees?
It is a term that seems to have fallen by the wayside.

Jul 9, 2009, 6:34am Permalink
Laura Scarborough

I don't recall a pizza shop in that plaza. But speaking of pizza, I sure do miss Lill's located in "Fays" Plaza. Fay's was the place to go and get just about anything... kind of like a mini Walmart.

Jul 9, 2009, 7:28am Permalink
Ron C Welker

If I recall the pizza shop was Joy,s Pizza, and about the same time a little bar/piano bar in the corner of the plaza called "The Careavan" or something of the like.

Jul 9, 2009, 8:19am Permalink
Bea McManis

Laura and Ron
You just answered TWO trivia questions at once. The pizza shop in the plaza on the west end, and the name of the pizza shop on the east end. You both get a gold star!
Thanks
Mr. Gaeta's Caravan was a lovely restaurant and I was sorry to see it go. Didn't he have a restaurant before that in Batavia?

Jul 9, 2009, 8:43am Permalink
Gary Diegelman

Lil's started as a great little sub shop farther out on West Main St next to National Fuel Gas taking over the building which housed Tastee Freeze. They then moved to Kings Plaza taking over the spot where Pizza by DiRose had been. How's that for trivia. Don't remember the East End only Your Host and we were told to stay away as shady things happened there. Maybe because the grease was too thick.

Jul 9, 2009, 5:52pm Permalink
Bea McManis

Posted by Gary Diegelman on July 9, 2009 - 5:52pm
Lil's started as a great little sub shop farther out on West Main St next to National Fuel Gas taking over the building which housed Tastee Freeze. They then moved to Kings Plaza taking over the spot where Pizza by DiRose had been. How's that for trivia. Don't remember the East End only Your Host and we were told to stay away as shady things happened there. Maybe because the grease was too thick.

Great trivia, Gary.
There seemed to be a bit of memory loss as to when these places migrated from one place to another..or just faded away.
Might as well pick brains a little more. Who was the original owner of The Checkerboard; and does anyone know the chain of ownership after that?

Jul 9, 2009, 7:24pm Permalink
Bob Price

I remember the Lil's out on West Main by National Fuel-I thought one of them was called Lil's 2????I think the last owner of Checkerboard was Bob Ray-I think those were the best hamburgs EVER in Genesee County.....also,does anyone remember a restaurant that burned down on West Main where the self storage is now(before Dreamland Mobile Home Park)? I also remember a restaurant where First Niagara bank is now(I think that one burned down also).I also went to Thomas Restaurant on E.Main w/my dad-coffee and a Persian donut.....I don't ever recall a pizza place in East Town(before my time),but I do remember Your Host......

Jul 9, 2009, 8:44pm Permalink
Bea McManis

The Steak House burned on West Main St. (they tried a restaurant on Ellicot St. but I can't remember the name of that one) Getner's Restaurant (Leo Getner owned it for years) was across from Redfield Pkwy on W. Main St., Mike Bohn owned it when it burned. He started catering and then opened Bohns.
The other restaurant, on W. Main St. was The Winner's Circle. (didn't he open the restaurant/bar near the corner of Main and Center?).
Then there were two hot dog stands, across from the track, Johnny's and Arena's (now Sport of Kings). Then Flavorite Farms and then another restaurant that had a banquet hall upstairs, about where MacDonald's is now.
Further out W. Main was The Turkey Kitchen.
For some reason I can't remember The Thomas Restaurant. Where was that?

Jul 9, 2009, 9:04pm Permalink
Lucille Van Son

Bea,
I think Mike Bohn went out to Clinton St. after Getner's. It was called Scotland Yard. The Winner's Circle is where Ri-Dan's is now right? When I was young, I remember my Aunt taking me to a small hot dog stand near where Sport O's is now called Arena's. Sport O's back in the late 60's & til 71 when there was a fire was called John's (I worked there as a teen) Then it changed to Colonial Chef. when I was there, the people that ran Tops ( which was behind the restaurant) ran the place. I also remember going to Flavorite Farms as a kid too. That is where the Taco Place is now. There was another restaurant and bar on Main, but not near Center. It was down a bit farther, almost across from Jackson St. It was called the Posthouse. Thomas' was down farther past Endicott & Johnson & Kustas'. Also do you remember the East End Hotel? That was set back, where Pontillo's parking lot is now.

Jul 9, 2009, 9:58pm Permalink
Bob Price

Thomas Restaurant was the brick building next to road east of Ben's Appliances(in front of WNY Concrete).Man,these posts bring back memories of going to these places when I was a kid(in the 70's).....how about Carroll's Restaurant(the"Clubburger" was my favorite there(and come to find out my wife's grandfather worked there....)

Jul 9, 2009, 10:35pm Permalink
Amy Davis

Wow, this is memory lane here people! It was Gentner's, not to be picky, but my older brother worked there. I remember the night it burned. We visited Johnny's Red Top many times. The Checkerboard was an awesome place to gather for coffee and great meals. The "Turkey Kitchen" goes down in fame to those who went there. The food and atmosphere will never be duplicated!
"Your Host" (in my memory) was owned by the Capuano family, who then ventured to "Scotland Yard" (the present Bohn's on Clinton). Their son has been a City Fire Fighter for many years now!

I would beg sometimes to go to Flavorite Farms (the only "drive thru" in Batavia), and my folks would cringe thinking of the traffic from the Downs. (Anyone remember the huge crowds that would flock for the horse races?) Only then to beg to stop at the popcorn stand across from Denny's! (I have the recipe for the special butter he used).

I went to Carrol's every day on my lunch while in Junior High (middle school). I got a sandwich, fries & a drink for less than a dollar!

Remember:
Salway's Hardware?
Tops being where the Dollar Store is?
Figlow's Pizzeria?
A&P where Dollar Tree, Subway, etc. is?
The Star Market where the Salvation Army is now?
Marshall's Book Store?
New York Telephone?
Newberry's?
Grant's?
Noah's Ark?
Genesee Farms?
Marlee's?
Norban's?
Marchese's Market? (corner of Main & Trumbull)?
The Sweet Shop?

All the "hot rod" cars parked in the Big N plaza?

I should stop with a newer one for our books - Pontillo's

Stores and buildings come and go, but our memories are forever ours. Peace to all.

Jul 10, 2009, 12:40am Permalink
Bea McManis

The Cottage
The Dew Drop Inn
The Silver Slipper
The Eagle's Club
Were all of these on State Street? How many more were on State St.

Jul 10, 2009, 5:32am Permalink
Lucille Van Son

Amy,
The Posthouse, not Your Host was operated by the Capuano's. They moved to Scotland Yard when the building's were tore down for "The Mall". And it was their nephew that's the firefighter.

Jul 10, 2009, 6:18am Permalink
Bea McManis

Does anyone remember The Hideaway - Where St. Nick's Club is now?
Also, the old VFW building on Main St. I can't remember exactly where it was...somehow I'm thinking where Tully's is now.
The Greenleaf had awesome baseball teams in the day.
The best clam chowder around, on Friday night, could be found at Splashes.
Palmer's Restaurant had a good fish fry.
I remember Yate's and Panzone's as bars - but I don't remember ever being in either. I never got a chance to see the inside of the Richmond Hotel.
For those too young or too new to Batavia to remember, it seemed that this city had a bar; restaurant; or Mom and Pop store on every corner in the 40s and 50s.

Jul 10, 2009, 6:48am Permalink
Laura Scarborough

Carrolls was the best.... we were never allowed to go to Red Barn(where Settler's is now) because my Mom heard there was a "health issue" but I heard a Barney Burger was really good. Also, Mancuso's was THE place for a little bit more fancy date when you were in high school. I remember Lill's being out on W. Main St.. it was tiny.. so we alway got a pizza to take home.

Jul 10, 2009, 7:36am Permalink
Lucille Van Son

Granny's Attic? Was that the place that was on the corner of Main & Walnut St. when there was still a road over the bridge? Dagwood - oh wow- first place I ever worked. Right near Brenners on the corner of Bank & Main. And Surprise Store & Enterprise on the otherside for men's clothing.

Jul 10, 2009, 8:21am Permalink
Thomas Gahr

Bea,

Wow! My mind is reeling with this post. You are all bringing back some wonderful memories...

I was so sad when Gentners burned. I was just a little kid, but I remember going there once to see the Notre Dame Drama club perform "Your a Good Man Charlie Brown". That had to be 1973???

I refused to eat at the Red Barn after my Dad kiddingly pointed it out one day on way home from Lablaws and told me that that was where the "losers" from the Downs were sent!

Carrolls was always my favorite. Does anyone remember how they used to replace the Red & White Light fixtures with big Orange Jack-o-lanterns at Halloween?

Some of my best local restaurant memories are when my folks would take me out with them to Scotland Yard, after they got done working Bingo on Friday night at N.D. The Bingo crew would go out for Fish Fry and drinks there at 10 o'clock. Being a 9 year old kid, getting to sit at the bar and drink 7 up and order Chicken Wings with the adults made me feel so grown up.

I also sigh every time I pass the Thomas Restaurant. They had the best Jelly Donuts. Dad would take me there for donuts on Saturday mornings.

Such wonderful memories...

Jul 10, 2009, 8:32am Permalink
Bea McManis

I guess I never went to the Thomas Restaurant. I honestly don't remember it and I have a good memory!
Bob has brought it up a few times too, and I sit there with a blank look.

Carrol's restaurant had a wonderful fish sandwich. I loved it. It was tasty and messy to eat, but well worth it. Phil was also very generous. John Kennedy School had a winter carnival every year. Phil would donate the use of the drink machines, the drinks, and cups, napkins, and table ware. Those donations helped make that event successful every year.

Jul 10, 2009, 8:42am Permalink
Susan Kennelly

There was another burger place (where Arbys is) Henrys or Harvey's or something?

Mr Bills... on Ellicott St just down from South side deli. (my uncle took us there for Sunday morning burgers after church)

I remember going to the Maple leaf for lunch for grilled cheese and Anderson's orange pop in the glass bottles.

Going to the movies on a summer afternoon at the Dipson theater with a dollar and it was enough to get in AND buy a treat.

Jul 10, 2009, 9:01am Permalink
Gabor Deutsch

I remember the Red Barn. We went for burgers there and the hamburger meat was spoiled. I remember that building became spyro gyro for awhile.

Jul 10, 2009, 9:07am Permalink
Bea McManis

Posted by Susan Kennelly on July 10, 2009 - 9:01am

Mr Bills... on Ellicott St just down from South side deli. (my uncle took us there for Sunday morning burgers after church)

Mr. Buns. I always felt sorry for the waitress when we invaded anywhere he took us all for breakfast.

I remember going to the Maple leaf for lunch for grilled cheese and Anderson's orange pop in the glass bottles.
The Maple Leaf or the Greenleaf? Trying to think of where the Maple Leaf was.

Nice to see you are up and round so early on a Friday morning. :)

Jul 10, 2009, 9:27am Permalink
Lucille Van Son

Mr. Bun's I could not remember the name of that place, but new it was there, had been there several times. Still trying to think of the name of the restauant on Ellicott where the Steakhouse owners moved to after the fire. Same building

Jul 10, 2009, 9:30am Permalink
Bea McManis

When Sue mentioned going out for breakfast, it brought back way too many good memories.
My uncle (Brownie LaRussa) took all the kids out every Sunday after church. The only rule was you had to be seven or older and you HAD to be in church to go (the exception was one cousin who managed to go to breakfast whether or not he was in church - don't know how he got away with that).
This wasn't some quiet family outing. It was a troop movement and a real invasion on an unsuspecting restaurant as twelve or more kids and some parents would arrive.
The rule was there was no rule as to what you could order for 'breakfast'.
The Miss Batavia Diner; Mr. Buns'; The Palace of Sweets;
Fraterigo's Family Diner; Johnny's; Arena's and others all found their places filled with 'starving' kids and adults trying to keep order amid the chaos. For some odd reason, the more chaos, the more my uncle enjoyed the morning.
Breakfast could be something boring like toast and eggs or, more than likely, a burger and fries and a milkshake.
One of my sisters, as an adult, would still order a BLT if we went to the Miss Batavia for breakfast. A real throwback to a childhood memory.

Jul 10, 2009, 9:43am Permalink
Karen Miconi

Does anyone remember the Pic-A- Deli, on Clinton St. Rd.? It was on the corner of 7 springs Rd. I also remember going to Carolls Resturant for burgers when I was young. Bea, you have really stirred up memories for me too. My grandma Viele worked at the Steakhouse for years, as a server, when she was young. That was the place to go for a great meal, I hear. My husband has told me stories about the South Side of town, back in the day, and the bakery he used to go to for donuts, and sweets.
I wonder, does anyone have any old pictures, or videos from back then? I believe I have videos from St.Anthonys church, and the fam.

Jul 10, 2009, 10:10am Permalink
Karen Miconi

Gabor, wasnt the Red Barn where Settlers is now? I also remember going to STAR Market, and Marcheese Bells, for groceries with my mother. My hubby just told me of a few more places he remembers as a kid. The building at Ellicott Square used to be a GO-GO dancing place, and when he was about 5 or so he would walk by and see the dancers in the window with their frilly dresses, dancing. He also named a few general stores too. Mr. Perks, Stompers, and the Suprise Store. I had to slow him down, as I couldnt write them fast enough.

Jul 10, 2009, 10:40am Permalink
Laura Scarborough

My Mother would take me to Carrs for clothes shopping or up to the top floor to pay the bill then go next door to Newberry's for a Tuna Melt and milkshake, I miss that store w/it's old creaky wood floors and sooo crowded during Christmas time but everyone was patient.

Jul 10, 2009, 10:59am Permalink
Gabor Deutsch

I remember jj newberrys warped wooden floor and the counter with old stools that spun. I only used to get coffee there but loved to shop !
Sorry to Tom coz I am sure he wasnt thinking about S & M but I am scared that I caught it ! lol.

Jul 10, 2009, 11:23am Permalink
Tom Gilliatt

That's OK I remember when I was 6 or 7 years old my late dad using those I think at Tops when it was across the street from were it is now.

Jul 10, 2009, 11:33am Permalink
Bea McManis

Yellow stamps and the coupons that came with a certain brand of cigarettes (I don't remember which one it was) where you could spend them in their catalog.

Jul 10, 2009, 11:36am Permalink
Thomas Gahr

The "Penthouse" was the name of the restaurant that the owners of The Steakhouse opened in the 1980's over on Ellicott street. It was in the old Mr. Buns building.

What is it about double entendre's and Ellicott Street? Mr. Buns, The Penthouse, S&M Green Stamps, Go Go dancers? Hmmm...must be something about the Southsiders...

Jul 10, 2009, 12:10pm Permalink
Lucille Van Son

There was a Penthouse restaurant down Ellicott St. farther down across from where fire house II is/was. I think Maquire (sp) was the name of the people that had the Steakhouse. They were the one's that put the glass block front that is on there now & it was a 2 level restaraunt, and I still can't think of the name.

Yes Bea, the Old Gold coupons. My dad had always smoked them, at least til he quit.

Jul 10, 2009, 12:18pm Permalink
Gabor Deutsch

Wasnt that where the new Social services building is now ? (twin fair). And the county building on RT 5 what night club was that ?

Jul 10, 2009, 12:43pm Permalink
Tom Gilliatt

I remember the Twin Fair !
Anyone remember the place called "Century" hope I spelled it right it was east side of Batavia? I remember looking though catalogs and you fill out a form to get your items!!! It was like the old Brand Names down by Dollar General

Jul 10, 2009, 12:46pm Permalink
Lucille Van Son

Yes Gabor, that's where it was. and the old county building started out as Valu. Valu moved and that was then the start of GCC (know as Valu tech) before going out where it is now.

Jul 10, 2009, 12:47pm Permalink
Tom Gilliatt

I think thats were I got my first computer from a Texas Instruments TI44/4A it was like $300+ dollars can you believe it and I can't even sell one for $15.00 now 20+ years later

LOL ;)

Jul 10, 2009, 12:53pm Permalink
Gabor Deutsch

Yeah its like wen i was in high school we had "doogie howser" type computers (a few). couldnt use them but writing loops and simple commands. Keep that computer and eventually a museum will buy it. LOL.

Jul 10, 2009, 12:57pm Permalink
Thomas Gahr

The nightclub out on Route 5 (East Main) was called the "Primitive Scene". I think it had a cave man motif. Funny.

I remember getting my little league baseball glove at Century. A Wilson "Paul Blair" Model. That was an odd store.

Jul 10, 2009, 1:23pm Permalink
Tom Gilliatt

Ya I remember those I think they were called terminals and back then there was no such thing as the windows operating system. I'm pretty sure that was just before DOS came out on Intel's 8088 processor they were 100's of dollars back then and now you can find them at the salvation Army sometimes

WOW that was a long time ago.

Tom

Jul 10, 2009, 1:24pm Permalink
nancy baxter

What was Christinas before? We remember Buccaneer....what else was it.
How about Mooneys, Buccaneer, Candlelight, Good Friend Shop, Peter's Deli, Ann's Paint Store, Hamilton Hotel

Jul 10, 2009, 1:40pm Permalink
nancy baxter

Blue Bus Terminal on Court St, Francis & Meads, Boston, Scott & Bean, Quartley's Deli, Millinery Hat Shop, Sears, Penneys on Main, Danny Faxton, Kinneys and Things Shoe Store

Jul 10, 2009, 1:46pm Permalink
Bob Price

Holy smokes!!!I go to work and have to spend 20 minutes catching up w/ all the posts! Ok-supermarkets-Marchese Bells where the Social ecurity building in EastTown Plaza,I think another Bells out where Joann Fabrics is now,Kings Dept. store(where Valu is now)-I also think there was ACME grocery store,the Genesee Farms stores(Ellicott St,Main St. Then we had Pizza Partners on Ellicott St-I remember when John Candy was making a film around here and he stopped by there-the Daily had an article on it.Pelligrinos Restaurant (just north of wortzman Furniture).I used to love going to Century(where Upson Maybach is now).Big Daddy's on Main St,Gentleman Jims in the mall.

Jul 10, 2009, 5:29pm Permalink
Gary Diegelman

OK - Winners circle was out in Bushville later known as The fieldhouse. Noone mentioned Vic's restaurant where McDonalds is now which was next to Boyles Motor Sales. Noone mentioned Stompers on Ellicott St. The best Rye bread in the whole area. How about the PopCorn at the Mill Outlet store. That popcorn machine still sits at Town of Batavia Fire Hall kitchen. My dad moved it there the last night before the store closed. I remember the little popcorn cart that sat near Benny's on W Main St. As far as the Checkerboard the Bonarigo's John and Laura ran it before Bob Ray. Remember the putt putt golf course behind it? Brantons Dairy the only place that served Coffee Ice Cream in the area! I think the building Dr Niak is in now on W Main was also a restauant or banquet hall.

Jul 10, 2009, 6:03pm Permalink
Jeff Allen

Bea, you ignited a firestorm of great memories!!! Does anyone remember the name of the grocery store where Bells and Loblaws was that sold only generic products? All the packaging was yellow with black letters. The beer was called BEER, the paper towels were called PAPER TOWELS and so on. It was the ultimate utilitarian store and as I remember, didn't last too long.

Jul 10, 2009, 6:47pm Permalink
Amy Davis

This is one of the most awesome posts I've ever seen! Can I please take it further?
Pellegrino's Bakery (the one on Jackson, not the new one they built)
Bill's Meat Market (on Swan)
The Dairy Queen that had 2 places(East Town Plaza & Dave's Ice Cream now).
Trautwein's Fish Market (on Ellicott)
George's Dairy (on 98)
Gioia's Drug Store (original sign was removed only last year...it was just covered up! I saw it!)
The Short Stop (on Oak)
Liberty Street Lumber Yard
The original YMCA
The original Methodist Church (next to the YMCA)
Marchese's Market (corner of 5 & Trumbull where the pool place is now)

Thanks Gary for being the only one who remembered the popcorn wagon! The people lived in the house that is the hair salon now...the "wagon", I've heard, is in a museum somewhere, not sure where.

The "Winner's Circle/Fieldhouse turned into the "Hollywood Lounge" for a while, now it's a good pet grooming business, I believe...please correct me if I'm wrong!

I did lose a bit of "memory" on the Posthouse/Scotland Yard thing, a later post was correct! Thanks!

What a terrific trip down Batavia's "memory lane"!

Can we keep it going for a while longer? With all that's going on in the world, this is fun! Peace to all.

Jul 10, 2009, 11:27pm Permalink
Bob Price

Then we had Genesea Food (where Blondies is now).Ahhh,memory lane-this is a nice change of pace.Thanks Bea for starting this trip! I remember quite a few of these places.Right next to Monro muffler,there used to be a beverage store where you could go around w/ a case and choose the flavor of pop you wanted(in glass bottles)-similar to the Angotti's old location on West Main where Rite-aid is now.I also haven't seen The Hub restaurant mentioned yet,but that hasn't been gone that long yet.

Jul 11, 2009, 12:56am Permalink
Bob Price

Geesh,here was a real popular place on the south side-Wandryk's Superette!! They used to have excellent meat.It's amazing-the Pok-A-Dot still outlives many businesses-I haven't been there in a while,I need to go soon for a beef on weck!

Jul 11, 2009, 1:00am Permalink
Bea McManis

Bob, I picked up a few last Friday night. We don't have them all that often...but when we do it is a real treat.

Also: regarding Thomas Restaurant
Here is my confusion. Apparently, there were two Thomas Restaurants. One on Main St., and one out on East Main St.
The one on E. Main St. originally was Bennett's.
That one I do remember going to...it is the one on Main St. that I don't recall.
Now, for the kicker.
Bennett's had a small hot dog stand before they built the one E. Main St.
It was on the left hand side, if you were driving from Batavia to Stafford on Route 5.
Does anyone remember it?

Jul 11, 2009, 7:18am Permalink
Bea McManis

No one mentioned the drive in movies...the one on Clinton St., and the on Rt. 5.
I remember the popcorn wagon...that really made me think back.
I also remember the horse drawn Fargo-Ware milk wagon; the ice man delivering ice to homes that still had ice boxes; the coal man delivering coal down the chute for our furnace; the rag man; the Hall Bread man; the Fuller Brush man; the guy who sold chickens from his truck; the other guy who sold cheese house to house and piano teachers that still came to the house to give lessons.

I remember having to walk across the trestle, where Salvation Army Thrift store is now, so we didn't have to wait for the trains.
Trains!
I remember when Harry Truman stopped in Batavia on his whistle stop tour.
The train depot was just a few blocks from Highland Park, and my grandfather would take his hand cart and walk to the train station to pick up grapes he ordered from California to blend with our NY grapes to make wine.

During WW2, there was a big sign on the lawn of County Building 1. It had the names of all who were serving..each name on it's own board (sort of like a picket fence slat). When they came home they got their slat. I don't remember the board, I was too young, but my Dad and uncles kept their slats forever.

Jul 11, 2009, 7:31am Permalink
Lucille Van Son

Pelligrino's originally had a place on Liberty St.,

There was a Carvel Ice Cream if I am not mistaken in Eastown Plaza for a while also.

And How about the original YWCA. That was on the corner of Main & Summit where the bank is now.

Amy your right about the Winner's Circle.

Also, I forgot about Devil's Rock being McNasty's too.

Jul 11, 2009, 7:40am Permalink
Bea McManis

Lucille, I used to belong to the Y-Teens when the building was on the corner of Main & Summit. Back then, they even rented rooms to young ladies who were working in the city and needed a respectable place to live.

lol, I'm reading these posts and realized that I have to the the oldest poster on this site (I hope not!!).

Jul 11, 2009, 7:59am Permalink
Lucille Van Son

Bea, yes, I remember that and I also remember that they had dances on the weekends. I also camped at different places with the Y-teens during the summer.

Jul 11, 2009, 9:01am Permalink
Lucille Van Son

What about them Tom? I can't speak for others on here, but the memories of all places mentioned, are far different,and in my opinion, don't think any of us that have these memories wanted the mall to begin with. And I don't know if there are Mall memories. I do remember some of the stores there, but I did not go to the Mall to shop very often. Maybe some of the younger people on here have different thoughts on it. People under 50 may have gone there more so than I because by the time it was built, I was out of school and just watched all my childhood & teen year memories torn down.

Jul 11, 2009, 1:16pm Permalink
Lucille Van Son

There was also a small bar on W. Main, I think just before Colonial West. Motel. I remember going there before Devil's Rock opened, but can't remember the name. It had the work "Vine" in it. Can Someone help me here???

Jul 11, 2009, 1:41pm Permalink
Gabor Deutsch

Hey Tom, I think what lucille was trying to say is this is a closed post to younger people.

And please lucille dont speak for me. If anyone wants to even remember the mall they should be allowed.

Tom is a good guy.

Jul 11, 2009, 3:13pm Permalink
Lucille Van Son

Gabor, please reread my post, I was not speaking for anyone and was giving an opinion. Is today my day?

Did you grow up here? What do you remember of the Mall?

Jul 11, 2009, 3:29pm Permalink
Bea McManis

We are still mourning the loss of a Main St. that had character and charm (albeit, somewhat shabby at times).
The Mall, while now a fixture on Main St., was an intrusion on life the way we knew it.
Let's not get at each other in here. It happens too often on all the other threads.
I think we learned, on the thread about Red's Taxi, that each generation has their own point of reference.
I, for example (and Lucille, too) remember a Main St. that bustled every Friday night. Shoppers would come in from the outlying areas and the stores were filled. It was the place to be.
Sadly, my memories of the Mall will always be going in there one night close to Christmas and noting that one could hold a football game in the concourse and not hurt anyone.
I grew up in the 50s. This was a time when women still wore hats and gloves when they left the house. Was it a better time than the ones that followed? That is open for conjecture.
If I asked, for example, what toy was the most popular when you were growing up, the answer would be different depending on your age.
The hula hoop? GI Joe? Barbie?
How many of you passed the time away during school recesses playing marbles? That was a big thing when I was in grade school.
How many of you were involved in paper drives; tin can drives? Those are the things I'll remember.
None of that adds value to my memories, nor should it take away from those who came after.
We all have something to share.

Jul 11, 2009, 3:46pm Permalink
Lucille Van Son

Ron,

Where were those? I remember those names. But the one I am thinking of may have also been a small restaurant also. I think used cars are there now. I don't remember how long it lasted once Devil's Rock opened, because that became the hangout. the year was 1970. Vineyard doesn't sound right to me or Grapevine. I just can't remember it's name.

Jul 11, 2009, 5:15pm Permalink
JIM NIGRO

"Cille" this has been a fun read. Earlier you were trying to recall a restaurant on Ellicott St. Was it Ellicott Square?
Amy Davis mentioned Liberty Street Lumber. I remember your father worked there with Jim Holvey. They were good friends and hunting buddies. One of my earliest memories of autumn was walking outside my grandmother's house and seeing the two of them sitting on the tailgate of Jim's Country Squire with a slew of ringneck pheasants and a red fox.
Those were the days when we used to get the cardboard boxes from the loading box at Max Pies, flatten them out and slide down the grassy slope of South Jackson St. bridge.
Do you remember being told, "Be in the house when the street lights come on?"

Jul 11, 2009, 5:50pm Permalink
Lucille Van Son

Hey Jim,
Oh yes I do! and be home for dinner when the church bells ring!

There were always never ending things for us to do as kids! But the boxes down the hill were the best. And now days they have nothing to do. And we didn't have all of the electronics available now either.

Dad had always looked forward to hunting. I remember helping him with the pheasants, rabbits, deer.

Ellicott Square could have been the name of the place. I just for the life of me can't remember it. The natural food store is there now. It's funny how somethings can come back plain as day and others not.

Earlier someone asked about Christina's. It was the Buccaneer and wasn't it also called Ange's?

Good to hear from you and love your articles!

Jul 11, 2009, 6:34pm Permalink
JIM NIGRO

Thanks Cille. As I recall, your dad was a great wing shot. You're right,Angie's did precede the Buccaneer.

Bea McManis, you mentioned "Brownie" LaRussa was your uncle.That jogged my memory - did you live on Cherry Street and attend St. Anthony's?

Jul 11, 2009, 6:53pm Permalink
Ron C Welker

Lucille,
Concord and Blondie's were just across the street from Bob Hawks motors, I think we have the name (Concord) right, but I could be wrong, something to do with wine for sure.

Jul 11, 2009, 8:54pm Permalink
Lucille Van Son

Ya know Ron, the more I think about that name maybe that was it. Well, Concord grapes, grapevine.... word association I guess. I will have to dig deep into that dead zone. Bob Hawkes Motors? What is there now?

Jul 11, 2009, 9:04pm Permalink
Bob Price

Upstate Toyota is where Bob Hawkes used to be-then te Rotary gas station was almost next door.Then remember the Minute Man gas station on Clinton St(Lickity Splits now)-and the Country Kitchen on Clinton also.

Jul 11, 2009, 9:29pm Permalink
Bea McManis

Posted by JIM NIGRO on July 11, 2009 - 6:53pm
Bea McManis, you mentioned "Brownie" LaRussa was your uncle.That jogged my memory - did you live on Cherry Street and attend St. Anthony's?

Guilty as charged! I believe you went to school with one of my sisters, Jim.
I think Barb went to school with my late sister, Marilyn.

Jul 11, 2009, 10:12pm Permalink
Bea McManis

Posted by nancy baxter on July 11, 2009 - 9:17pm
Does anyone remember The Black Outs during the war?
What about The Sugar Bowl, and the lady who always wore black?

o m g, there is someone older than me on this site...no offense, Nancy.

I was too young to remember black outs, but remember finding the black out curtains in the attic.
I had to laugh about the Sugar Bowl. Once, when I was in high school, my mother was going to meet me downtown for something after I got out of school. She told me to meet her at the Sugar Bowl. The Sugar Bowl??? I was stumped.
She finally remembered it had a different name then.
Wasn't that where Critic's was?
Also, I remember going to Adlemen's for ice cream. I believe it stood where the empty parking lot is next to Main St. Pizza.

Jul 11, 2009, 10:19pm Permalink
Amy Davis

Jim - My Dad worked at Doehler-Jarvis for 38 yrs. I remember him taking me to Liberty St Lumber to buy wood for his projects! He wasn't a hunter, but liked to fish on Black Lake with my oldest brother. I lived in that house (rented apt.) for 5 yrs. until it burned in 1995 and they tore it down. I had the original built-in shelves and money window in my living room!

I will be 50 this year and I remember the people watching with the tears that came the day the historic buildings on Main were razed. The streets bustled with people, at Christmas time it was so crowded you could hardly move! Then came hope for something new, better. It just didn't happen. My fondest memory of the mall was flying a kite in the parking lot on the east side because there were no cars or traffic. If someone has good memories that happened at the mall I am totally open to hearing them! This is a trip down Batavia's memory lane, and open to everyone, no age limit! Older folks will remember different things than the younger ones will! Can we keep this one nice?

This could be a post for the record Howard!

By the way, anyone remember the Milky Way? (it was a shack on Clinton, they had the best take-out fish fry).

Peace,all

Jul 11, 2009, 10:33pm Permalink
nancy baxter

Actually, Bea...
I'm relaying this article to my Mom, and she keeps naming different things. She is enjoying all these comments. But, I love to hear about the "old Batavia". Hard to imagine for someone my age, that never saw that hustle and bustle on Main Street. I hope it continues....

Jul 11, 2009, 10:51pm Permalink
Mark Potwora

What about Mancuso's Motors.Right near the post office.I think State and Main...Had the indoor show room..Every fall they would have all the new model year cars covers up ..The cars styles changed every year..It was a big deal..

Jul 11, 2009, 11:35pm Permalink
Bea McManis

Posted by Mark Potwora on July 11, 2009 - 11:35pm
What about Mancuso's Motors.Right near the post office.I think State and Main...Had the indoor show room..Every fall they would have all the new model year cars covers up ..The cars styles changed every year..It was a big deal..

When that Mancuso building was ready to go, they went through their stock and found vintage parts still in wrappers.
It was a collector's dream and a boon for those who restore old cars.

Jul 12, 2009, 4:47am Permalink
Bea McManis

Speaking of Liberty St., does anyone remember the cider mill? There was a Jewish Synagogue on Liberty St. too, but I can't remember which lot it was on.
Cherry's grocery store became Nick's, on Liberty St. Then it was a hair salon and now a candle place.
There was a store across from St. Anthony's school.
St. Anthony's Community Center was the place for dances; and wedding receptions; basketball tournaments and professional wrestling matches (ala the Gorgeous George era).
I remember when they moved Fraterigo's house from near the new St. Anthony's church (that church replaced the old cellar church on the corner of Central and Liberty) down Liberty to a lot closer to Max Pies. The new rectory was built on the lot.

Jul 12, 2009, 4:53am Permalink
Karen Miconi

Anyone remember Star Drycleaners on the corner of Summit st and Main st? Where Key Bank is now. Uncle Joe Rapheal owned that, and my hubby used to hang on the electric rack and ride it around with his cousin little Joe. Or does anyone remember when St. Joe's Church steeple burned?? Bea this has stirred up a whole lot of memories for Mike too. He grew up on Goade Park, off Ellicott, near Preolo's Corner Store.

Jul 12, 2009, 7:56pm Permalink
Bea McManis

I remember DeLuxe Dry Cleaners, that was J.D. DiCarlo's. I don't remember Star Dry Cleaners on the corner of Summit and Main.

Jul 12, 2009, 9:52am Permalink
JIM NIGRO

Bea,
you no doubt remember the little grocery on Liberty St. across from Cherry. "Nick's on Liberty" was one of the numerous mom & pop stores found throughout the southside. Walking home from St. Anthony's it was a popular stop for popsicles and licorice.

Amy Davis,
I remember your Dad. Easter vacation during our senior year your brother Steve and myself along with Greg May and Phil Olverd were heading to Daytona in your brother's '65 mustang. Not only was the car in rough shape, not one of us had permission to make that trip. A few phone calls were made and we were stopped before we made it out of Batavia. Despite the setback the four of us were in Daytona 24 hrs. later - your dad let us take his new Buick Skylark.

Jul 12, 2009, 2:27pm Permalink
Lucille Van Son

Bea,
I asked my mom about the synagogue. She seemed to think it was about across from Blakely Place which would make it that big apartment house is. I don't remember A drycleaners on the corner of Main & Summit either. There may have been one where Continental school is now.

Jul 12, 2009, 5:44pm Permalink
Gary Diegelman

I haven't seen anything about the Big E restaurant or bakery on East Main went there many Sundays after church to buy donuts. Also had to stop at Ash's Deli on West Main to pick up the Sunday Paper. My grandmother raised poultry and cleaned and dressed them to be sold at Wandryk's on Ellicott St.

Jul 12, 2009, 10:19pm Permalink
Tom Gilliatt

Posted by Gabor Deutsch on July 11, 2009 - 3:13pm
Hey Tom, I think what lucille was trying to say is this is a closed post to younger people.

And please lucille dont speak for me. If anyone wants to even remember the mall they should be allowed.

Tom is a good guy.

Thanks Gador thats OK

Jul 13, 2009, 10:51am Permalink
Bea McManis

Posted by Lucille Van Son on July 12, 2009 - 5:44pm
Bea,
I asked my mom about the synagogue. She seemed to think it was about across from Blakely Place which would make it that big apartment house is. I don't remember A drycleaners on the corner of Main & Summit either. There may have been one where Continental school is now.

I couldn't remember if that was the synagoque or the cider mill.
Every autumn, I remember the smell of apples as they were pressed at that mill.
This will be an age defining question. How many of you remember having milk delivered to the house. Do you remember that you had your choice of pasteurized or milk with the cream at the top?
We always got one bottle with cream. My grandmother had a glass tube that she would use to get the cream out of the bottle.
Do you remember what happened to the cream if the milk froze before you could get the bottle in the house?

Jul 13, 2009, 10:57am Permalink
Lucille Van Son

Bea,
I'll have to ask her about the cider mill.

I remember getting milk delivered to the house. I don't remember about the cream, but remember the milk boxes sitting outside the door. I still have one. The bottles also had a cardboard/paper type top that would slowly rise if the milk started to freeze.

Jul 13, 2009, 11:16am Permalink
ben klein

We lived across the street from the cider mill. It had just closed (~1954 or 55) and sat vacant until torn down and remained an unimproved lot for years. The synagogue was a few lots north of the cider mill. Its rabbi lived in the back and regularly slaughtered chickens (kosher ceremony).

Apr 17, 2014, 6:11pm Permalink
Bea McManis

Welcome Ben. I'm not sure if this is the longest thread for The Batavian, but Howard can tell us if it is the longest running thread.
This thread started in July, 2009!

I do have another ' do you remember'...does anyone remember the Jiffi Drive In? It was suppose to be across from the race track in the early 60s. I have no recollection of it.

I used to marvel at the changes my grandparents experienced in their lifetime. The changes in technology, alone, boggles the mind. Now, as I look back on the changes I've witnessed, I can't help but wonder what is next.

It is the small changes that seem to stick in my memory. Who uses carbon paper any more? Or a mimeograaph machine? Who darns socks and who has a darning egg in the sewing basket? For that matter, who keeps a sewing basket? In my lifetime, I saw the telephone operator morph to the rotary phone then the cute princess phone and the more sophisticated phones with answering machines, call forwarding, etc. The typewriter to word processor and then desk top computers, laptops, tablets, pads, pods, etc.

What changes stick in your mind?

Apr 17, 2014, 7:10pm Permalink
Brian Graz

Just reliving the 3 pages of memories here... great stuff. I realize this thread was started 10 years ago and last added to in 2014, so I wonder if anyone other than me is looking at it these days? Back in the era of Arena's and Johnny's Red Top I recall another diner across the intersection in the vicinity of where Rite Aid & Clors is/was. I was very young and not sure of the name, but I think it was Castie's or Kristie's... ? Someone already mentioned Genesee Farms drive-thru... that was owned and operated by Rocco Arena.

And lastly for me... I CAN'T BELIEVE NO ONE MENTIONED STOMPER'S BAKERY... I've never had anything like their breads and donuts. Sadly we never will again now with the passing of Jack Stomper... he told me that all the family recipes were in his head and not written down... such a sorrow.

Nov 26, 2019, 1:36pm Permalink

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