Column by Norma Higgs — It is now 2012 and I can’t believe I have been doing these columns for six years as I started in January of 2006 at the request of then Niagara Gazette editor David Arkin when I complained about the lack of publicity for coming events in Niagara Falls. He said “Why don’t you write a column each week to highlight some of these.”

This is the 281st epiphany from yours truly and somehow I began writing about the “good old days” as my readers call them and have learned a lot in the process. I have tried to capture the spirit of the residents and the business owners of the time to let the young people know what a great city Niagara Falls was and could be again. From time to time I feel I must write about coming events to fulfill my own wishes from 2006 as it is important to let everyone know all the good things happening here.

Now that I have your attention, I must apologize that I somehow left out a landmark business in the 1500 block of Pine Avenue last week although it was in my notes. I was reminded of Tattler’s Lane Bridal Shop at 1519 Pine operated by Josephine and John Santangelo. They were originally on Niagara Avenue and owned the business more than 66 years. John passed away last year and Josephine is still running the bridal shop. She is the original owner and has serviced thousands of brides, from all walks of life. She is still going strong and drawing people to the Falls from all over Western New York and Ontario.

We will pick up where we left off at 1601 Pine at Saraceni Drugs. Julius Saraceni owned and operated this small neighborhood pharmacy which included a soda fountain with four stools and milkshakes were his specialty. I graduated from Niagara Falls High School with his daughter Jean (now Caprio) who told me he graduated from UB Pharmacy School in 1926 and opened General Pharmacy before moving to Pine Avenue. The following year (1927) he married Philomena who kept the books. Julius was a first generation Italian from Palermo, Sicily, and many of his friends and local doctors would hang out at the drug store at night. On Christmas Eve, “Phil” as his wife was known, would make a large antipasto which was enjoyed along with a few drinks and cigars in the back room. The fluent Italian would flow like the wine and the stories would be told over and over. He also owned another pharmacy at 1902 Pine, which will be discussed later.

The family lived at 16th Street and Elmwood Avenue and Jean, who was quite young at the time, would call the store and Julius would meet her at the corner to help her cross Pine Avenue where she would be treated to a chocolate milkshake. Most business owners lived near their store or shop which created a large customer base on Pine Avenue as they all traded with each other. And, each store had apartments either upstairs or in the back where many of the factory workers lived — again keeping the business on the street.

At 1605 was Shaldjian Rugs and Carpets and 1607 was vacant during 1956 but was formerly occupied by Philip Felicetti as a shoe repair shop. His granddaughter is Fran McCune. Joseph and Jeanette Abramowitz owned Niagara Home Outfitters at 1609 Pine and they lived nearby at 12th and Ferry. Frank Colucci operated a wholesale tobacco business next door at 1611 and that is where Julius got the cigars he sold in his pharmacy. Joseph Colucci was also involved in this business and his daughter Maria is married to well-known local attorney John Bartolomei.

At 1615 Antoinette Iacovitti operated a beauty salon which was next door to a residential dwelling.  Marchant Calculators were sold and serviced at 1621 Pine. I bet the youth of today would not know what a calculator of that time looked like but they were the standard fare at most businesses. According to Wikipedia, “The Marchant Calculating Machine Co. was founded in 1911 by Rodney and Alfred Marchant in Oakland, Calif. The company built mechanical and then electromechanical calculators  which had a reputation for reliability.” In 1958 they were acquired by the Smith Corona Typewriter Company. They tried to stay competitive and introduced an electronic calculator in 1965. Soon, an abundance of cheaper electronic calculators devastated that business and when word processors came along the typewriter business was also ruined. The William C. Maunz Company was also at this location. The Maunz Company was established in 1924 by William C. Maunz, a plumbing and heating contractor, in Buffalo. They are now known as the Maunz Company, Inc.

Sitting at the southeast corner of 17th and Pine was Pine Auto Service, a full-service gas station owned by Joseph Jamrowicz and his wife Adena. They also lived nearby in the 400 block of 19th Street and were friends of Julius and Philomena Saraceni as well.   

English Poet, Edith Lovejoy Pierce quote: “We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called "Opportunity" and its first chapter is New Year's Day.”  Peace and prosperity to all!

Norma Higgs serves with the Niagara Beautification Commission and Niagara Falls Block Club Council. Her columns appear Mondays in the Gazette.