Published: November 16, 2008 10:54 pm      

HIGGS: One last walk down Falls Street

Before we start on the final journey down Falls Street, I remind everyone that today is another opportunity to donate blood at the Cristoforo Colombo Hall at 2223 Pine Ave. The American Red Cross will be there between 1 and 6 p.m. It is no secret that blood is urgently needed. The club membership generously opens their doors to provide a location in the central area of the city. Try to make time to replenish the area blood supplies whenever the opportunity arises.

Between First and Second streets was the Harrison Shop featuring ladies wear and managed by Ruby Chastain and later, in 1956, it was the Carlton Shop with Lucy Ferrara as the manager. Next door was Vallance Brownbilt Shoes and in the 1950s it was the Taber and Brumburgh Shoe Shop. Sander Abramson operated Cataract Song and Novelty Shop for many years next door.

Alice and John Koshian owned the Star Restaurant before they opened the Grand Restaurant. John was usually in the Star and he was rarely seen without his homburg hat. In fact, people did not know him without it. Three generations of the Zimmer family own and still operate Reeds Jewelers throughout Western New York. Samuel was the founder in the Falls Street days; then son, Arnold and now grandson, Jim is in charge. Kayes was another fixture on Falls Street. A popular ladies wear store, it was named after the owner Benjamin Kaufman. Domenick Iannuzzi reflects that all of these owners were “good businessmen”. They were good judges of character, they had character themselves and groomed their employees to be long term so customers felt welcome as they always knew the person serving them. No one was fired or quit in these family owned establishments. Today that is not the case – seems like every time you visit one today, someone new is at the register.

Of course, everyone remembers J. N. Adams Department Store. This type of store was popular in Niagara Falls as times were good and people were prosperous with money to spend. Shopping was a major part of the tourist traffic on Falls Street and we already know about the many selections available on Main Street during these times. I remember being surprised to see Santa Claus in J. N. Adams after just leaving him at Beirs across the street. George McGrath remembers Santa and the three pigs. His sister was frightened to see such large man-size pigs and to this day George cannot make the connection as to why they were in the entourage with Santa. Domenick says the escalators were a big draw for the kids. They were the first in the city and it was like an amusement ride. Up and down – up and down!

He also mentioned the Esquire Men’s Shop and the Mr. S Coffee Shop owned by Frank Scozzafava. Here was another dapper man who was a walking advertisement of what he sold. He would stand outside the store and stop people he knew telling them he had something “just perfect for them”. If he flagged you down – you felt you had made it. The coffee shop was open till late at night and had booths and stools at a long counter. Managed by Richard Antonucci in the 1960s, it was a gathering place for many of the business people and restaurant owners who would congregate there after they closed. They were all a close group with a spirit of congeniality and the idea that if one succeeded, they all would.

Louis Yaseen was considered the mayor of Falls Street and many recall Tom and Mary Page who owned The Tie Shop, which was located near Third Street. Tom was also very dapper and wore all the goods he sold and he had a great sense of humor. Nearby was the Ideal Coffee Shop that was a full dinner restaurant operated by the Lambros family in the 1940s. They were one of many Greek family restaurants in the area and later in the 1950s, Carmen Agnello took over and changed the concept to the up and coming fast food type of establishment. And, the best was at the end of the block – Fanny Farmer Candy Shop. Who doesn’t remember the window that went around the corner of Falls and Second with the goodies displayed neatly to lure you into chocolate heaven on earth. The windows, decorated in white with gold were just like the box. A recent article in the New York Times relates that Fanny Farmer parent company, Chocamerican, Inc. is selling the candy stores to Archibald Candy Corporation who presently operate the Fannie May Candy Shops. The Fanny Farmer shops were originally named by their founder, Frank O’Connor, after Fannie Merritt Farmer, a pioneer cook from Boston.

A few closing remarks – diagonal parking was good for Falls Street. The large sign at the Cataract Theater depicted a waterfall of words and was a landmark in itself. Another landmark was the dog in the window at Buster Brown Shoes, where you could put your feet in a machine and see your bones. The business owners on Falls Street squeegeed their windows, swept and hosed down their areas and kept the sidewalks clean. There are many more stories about Falls Street out there, depending on the times and the people who were part of it.

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