Downtown Ellwood City, PA
Shoe Stores, Flower shops, Men’s Clothing, Women’s Clothing, Pool Halls, Candy Stores, Pet Shops, and of course Pe Wee’s. “Downtown” Ellwood City has been home to almost every kind of store you can imagine. From large department stores like Dambach’s and Murphy’s to the little Ma & Pa shops that have thrived here for many years.
I can not list every single business in Ellwood City, but everyone that has ever lived here has fond memories of downtown. Whether they are memories of where you worked, shopped, or just “hung out”, there is always at least one place that you remember fondly. Whether the story you repeat the most happened at the Drug Store on the corner, or one of the multiple restaurants, maybe the flower shop where you bought your homecoming mum or the story about you and your friends at one of the movie theaters (Majestic, Manos, or the Liberty). If you are too young to remember the Majestic, ask someone a little older if they remember it. Not only will you get that story, but I will almost guarantee they can remember what was playing when it burnt down.
It is always quite enjoyable to talk to someone and see the look they get in their eye when the memories they haven’t thought about in years start flooding back. The diners and drug stores always seem to bring back memories like nothing else can. When someone mentions the Lemon Blendd drinks from Albert Your Druggist’s or the Soda Fountain at Young’s Drug Store or the Ice Cream Sunday’s at Acme Lunch, it is almost as if the person can still taste it and are suddenly taken back to their childhood. Memories of food seem to do that. Whether it was the world famous pies from Margaret’s, the roast beef sandwiches from the Jayhawk, or the sausage sandwiches from Nick’s over in the park. Of course, as soon as someone mentions Nick’s Snack Bar the stories start flowing but I’ll save those for another time.
The food isn’t the only memories people have of Ellwood City. Duck pin bowling alleys and pool halls have been everywhere in Ellwood. It seems that every other building in the “downtown” area has had one of these either in the basement or upstairs at one time or another. If it didn’t have one of these, it may have gotten people in the door by hosting weekend dances like the S.O.I. the Jaycees, and the Shuffle Shop. Of course you couldn’t miss the show at the Ellwood City Opera House, or one of the famous performers at one of the clubs, or the Saturday matinee at one of the movie theaters. Friday nights were spent at the local teen hangout like Willies, Winkys, or Johnny’s.
Ellwoodians have special memories of each and every business In Ellwood City. Even those that haven’t lived here in over twenty five years still love their hometown. Like the memories Bruce Brenneman from Houghton, New York shared with us of Blochers Jewelery Store and that black marble front. Or the memories of her dad’s Barber shop (Turners) at the end of Lawrence Avenue that Linda Tidemanson in California shared with us. Once you live in Ellwood City, you are an Ellwoodian. No matter where you may move to, folks always consider Ellwood City their hometown.
We would love to hear from you and about your favorite place to go downtown and the stories you have because of it. Please share your memories of downtown Ellwood City with in the “comments” section below or email us at info@ellwoodcitymemories.com
When I saw that there were no comments on Downtown, I couldnt believe it.I remember walking to town down 4th st to Lawrence Ave, I would pass by the Abbitichio Agency, there was a barber shop somewhere in there,also an Insurance Agency I believe, on the corner the Oasis then onto Lawrence Ave, Turners Barber shop, the Ellwood City Water Co., Manos Theater, Minnoccis Grocery, Pee Wees, Gus’ shoe shine shop (where you could buy a 5 cent cigar and get sick on it) Alberts Drug Store and on and on. Lets take a walk down memory lane! Don PS Dr Obleys Office, Latianos Photogrophy Studio Knights of Columbus and Ellwood City Paint (I believe)
I lived above the Knights of Columbus also had the basement whear we would have a lot of parties there durning junior and sr. years
Danny…I remember those parties well. We had lots of fun!
Don, I remember writing somewhere on this web site about the stores on 4th st. Was the Abbitichio Agency the same as the Peoples Agency. I remember going and making payments on an insurance policy and I think it was the Peoples Agency where they also did travel for people. The daughter of the owners was always so nice.
I remember John Orr’s mechanic shop was on the corner of Bell and 4th, then the insurance store, the barber shop and the entrance to the Osasis’ resturant, and then the laundromat(pool hall) at the corner of 4th and Lawrence.
Johnny & Rose Minnocci were also so nice; that’s where we bought our groceries. I think at Gus’ shoe shine shop men could also get their hats blocked. Albert’s Drug Store is one the names I could NOT remember (Thank you Don). Was there another name of the Photographer’s on 4th by Dr. Obley office? That name doesn’t sound familiar to me. I just remember my majorette photo he did and put it out front where he would put photos he did. (embarrassing!!!)
Thanks again.
The photographic studio I remember who did the high school seniors photos for our 1964 year book was Scheidemantle (sp?).
Linda, I couldnt remember Orrs mechanic shop (Senior moment) they bought my dads 1950 Dodge pick-up and it always sat on 4th St facing lawrence Ave., Latianos was the only one I can remember. I dont remember where Scheidmantles was located. Hats wwere blocked at Gus’. Latiano did have pictures as you entered.
Don, I could never forget Orr’s because there was a piece of land beyond our small backyard behind the barber shop (long and narrow) where they used to park the cars they worked on.
Well, maybe that was the photographer’s name. I looked on my majorette photo, but there was no name on it.
McGlincy used to take alot of my dance photos and sometimes Olan Mills. I remember the name of Scheidemantles but thats all. Our senior photos were taken at Latianos and our senior rings were at Gersons. Remember they used to go between Gersons & Kimpels for the senior rings.
I remember getting my senior picture taken for the ’64 yearbook at an upstairs studio on 5th St. near Lordi’s music store. I don’t really remember the name of the studio (or the photographer), but for some reason I thought it was Montgomery’s. ? Quite a few of us at that time went to Liskin’s in Beaver Falls for the non-yearbook, color photos.
JoAnn, Geeze, A lot of my classmates incl. me went to Liskins for non-yearbook photos, too. But ours were black/white.
The one on 5th Street that Carole referred to above was Scheidemantle’s.
I lost my class ring and would really like to get another one if possible. Can anyone help? Class of ’63