As we cross Hoyne Avenue you’ll find a Sinclair Gas Station on the Southwest corner. In those days there weren’t many gas stations and infact there weren’t many cars. Because of the war, production had stopped and you only saw two colors, black and red. Gas was cheap and you had service; the attendant pumped your gas, cleaned your windows and checked your tires. A few doors down was the Strand Theatre I would go to the Sunday Matinee, the cost was 8-10 cents and candy a nickel. In the
summer I remember the blue and white “KOOL”, sign. The theatres were the escape from the hot, lazy days of summer. The Strand featured B films such as: The Bowery Boys, Charlie Chan, Roy Rogers and Tarzan. You saw two films, double feature, with a cartoon, coming attractions and possibly a newsreel. My favorite cartoon was Mighty Mouse. The theatre opened at 1 P.M. and the shows were continuous, which meant they had no start or end time. At times they would have an intermission to collect money for the March of Times. In the middle of the week the Biltmore or Strand would have Dish Night. Dish Night was a time for ladies to collect a set of china or glasses. Each week they would collect a different dish. Today we still have some of those dishes. Across the street was Grossman’s Dry Good Store. It was a small store that sold a variety of clothes for kids. The store would be packed to the ceiling with socks, T shirts and other items. As we walk along we’ll pass more small shops until we reach the corners of Division and Leavitt.To me this was a very historic corner. On the South East corner of Leavitt was a drug store and about a block south was the Russian Holy Trinity Orthodox Church. The church is a
historical landmark. In the same area where St. Mary of Nazareth and Lutheran Deaconess Hospitals. Coming back to Division Street on the north corner was a little newsstand shack where we bought our newspapers. On the southwest corner was a chicken store selling fresh chickens. We could continue down Division Street to Humboldt Park, but I think it’s time to head on home. Before we head home, I can still envision people on a hot summer evening, with blanket in hand, going to sleep in the park. There was no air conditioning and it provided a comfortable and safe way to get a good nights rest. Police patrolled the streets on foot and the people were safe.We’ll now head north on Leavitt. For what was considered a residential street it certainly had a variety of businesses. At the alley past Division was a Junk Yard where junkman parked their wagons and carts to sell their junk. During the War Years paper and rags were in demand; I would take my wagon with rags and a few bundles of paper and make a few pennies. On Leavitt and Crystal was a grocery store and near Potomac was Orries Fruit Store. At the corner of Potomac and Leavitt were Mutchniks Drug Store and Adams Tavern. A little past Mutchniks was a Jewish Bakery which had the greatest rye bread and rolls that you would ever eat. I loved their egg wash and salt stick buns. Across the street was a fish market. My father liked the Smoltz Herring. Going east on Potomac you would find another grocery store. There were plenty of the ma and pop stores. As we continue down Leavitt there was a pickling plant that made pickled pigs feet. You have too remember that these shops were all snuggled in between two and three story homes. On the same block were a shoemaker and a bike shop. A lot of times the storeowners lived in the back or second floor of the building.
Well, we have finally reached Evergreen Avenue. On the corner was Tony’s Tavern and across the way. my favorite
candy store. In the summer I loved the ice cream sandwiches; the ice ream was sliced and placed between two slices of waffles.. My favorite ice cream was Neapolitan. The popsicles, fudgeicles and ice cream cups were also great... Next to the candy store was the Cheer Up Soda Factory. Cheer Up was similar and maybe even the predecessor to 7UP. If we would continue down Leavitt we would hit John’s Tavern located at Schiller Street; residential homes followed all the way to North Avenue. My father would buy a bottle of Canadian Ace, Schlitz, Fox Deluxe or Meister Brau at John’s. Topaz was the soda sold, in taverns, in the 40’s. On Sunday the men would get a free drink with their purchase, I f I was lucky my father would bring home a bag of Hi Ho Potato Chips.For me Evergreen Avenue started at Leavitt Street and ended at Milwaukee Avenue. This was home. As we pass Tony’s we have Neuman’s Grocery Store. This was our neighborhood store. Here we bought our meats and most of our groceries; it was the hub for information and news. I still remember the long stick with a grabber at the end to bring down a roll of toilet paper or box of cereal. The store was open from 6AM to late in the evening, and part of Sunday. On many a day I remember going back and forth because I or my mother forgot something. Being a small kid you would find grown ups always trying to get ahead of you? You had to stand your ground. There were no numbers and you stood in line. Since many of the neighbors were Polish you would hear a lot of Polish. For instance I recall the famous line “Jak Sie Masz” and the reply “Jak Stary Kaczi” which meant “How Are You”” Like Old Underwear”.
Well, we’re back at 2143 W. Evergreen and The Front Porch. I hope you enjoyed the tour of the neighborhood. I certainly miss the neighborhood of old, the shops, the architecture, the friendliness of the people and the secure and safe feeling.
Till next week
Sasiad
