Jerry Pritikin with his J. C. Higgins mitt, 1948.
Recently I met photographer Jerry Pritikin, who grew up in Chicago during the ’40s and ’50s. Even though he attended Von Steuben High School some 20 years before I did, we remember many of the same neighborhood institutions and landmarks.
If you’ve read my stories about growing up in the Hollywood Park neighborhood on Chicago’s far North Side during the 1960s, you’ll recall that neighborhood parks and hot dog stands were among the primary settings for my early years. Same was true for Jerry.
Albany Park, North Park, Hollywood Park, and Peterson Park—this northbound swath of mostly Jewish neighborhoods fed into Von Steuben. After interviewing Jerry, I’m convinced the area changed less in the years between 1944 – 1974 than it did between 1974 – 1980.
Jerry’s Chicago friends and family know him by a different name. At age 3 he couldn’t pronounce his first name, “Jerome.” He became “Omie,” a nickname that stuck for the first 20 years of his life.
I’m publishing my interview with Jerry and his family photos in two parts. The first part will focus on neighborhood life and the second on baseball, the official language at the kitchen table of Jerry’s childhood home.
Jerry's family lived on the first floor of a two-flat at 4839 N. Troy. Hank Pritikin, Jerry's father, and his partner bought it $12,000 in 1944.
Frances: Where did you grow up?
Jerry: We moved into a two-flat at 4839 N. Troy on May 3, 1944. I went to Hibbard Elementary School and Von Steuben High School.
Frances: Did you spend much time at River Park?
Jerry: Oh yes, I played softball at first park, and even a little tennis. At second park, we played some hardball choose-up games.
On the site of the WWll Victory Garden, they built an outdoor swimming pool. During opening week (I believe it was 1947), it was dedicated by Jim Thorpe, and the following week by Buster Crabbe, the actor who played in the movie serial Flash Gordon.
In winter, we went sledding at both parks and ice skating.
Frances: What’s first park and second park? There was a Victory Garden at River Park? And, I checked–the pool opened in 1948.
Jerry: First park is west of the river and second park is east of the river, where the fieldhouse is.
During WWII people were encouraged to plant vegetable gardens in their backyards. People who lived in apartment buildings planted in community gardens. The one at River Park was located behind the fieldhouse, where the pool is now.
There also used to be a bridle path at River Park.
Frances: I took a lot of different classes in the fieldhouse, starting when I was four. I remember kids playing around the water fountain outside the fieldhouse. It had four nozzles and if you covered three of them, water shot up really high out of the fourth.
Jerry Pritikin, Dick Lazar, Allen Pritikin--Troy Street, 1948
Line ball rules
Frances: What did kids do in your neighborhood for fun?
Jerry: We had a block team (North Troy Street) and played some teams from other blocks. One of our best pastimes was playing in the alley between Troy and Albany… line ball (singles, past the pitcher; doubles, over the pitcher’s head; triples, touched by the outfielder; and a homer, over his head.)
There were several sets of brothers: me and my brother Allen; Bruce and Al Block; Roy and Arnie Wainer; Dave and Jerry Cohen, and cousins Chuck and Torrie Faso. My brother was a “Reguler Fella”!
We also played softball on Hibbard’s campus, as well as fast ball pitching, using a Pink Spaulding rubber ball. or tennis balls.
Frances: Did you call them “Spaulding pinkies?” We did. Boys played a game called pinners with them on the school playground. They threw the balls against a ledge on the school wall.
Jerry: Same game. We threw the ball at a curb to make it fly over the fielder’s head.
Local businesses
Frances: Where did kids hang out?
Jerry: The first hot dog place we hung out at was Lerner’s on the 4800 block of North Kedzie. A hot dog, on a sheet of wax paper, fries and and a small drink for 37 cents!
Sam Lerner, Seymour Lerner, Bobby Lerner, Jay Lerner at Lerner's Hot Dogs, 7/30/72. (Photo courtesy of Jay Lerner)
Frances: I went to Lerner’s, too, but at a different address on Kedzie. Jay Lerner told me that Seymour, his father, and Sam, his uncle, opened their first hot dog stand at 4848 N. Kedzie in 1949. They moved to the 5541 N. Kedzie location, the one I knew, in 1953.
Jerry: My brother Neil had Neil’s Dugout, across from the Alba Theater in 1948, (before it was made into a bowling alley). It only lasted a year. On the same block was the Hollywood Roller Rink.
On Saturdays we went to the Balaban & Katz Terminal Theater. The movie came from the Uptown Theatre, after playing at a downtown theatre. After playing the Terminal, the movie played at the Alba. Across the street was the Metro, which played mostly westerns and low-budget movies. Cooper & Cooper was popular for 12-cent hamburgers. It was on Kimball, across from the Ravenswood “L” terminal.
I remember once a couple of older Jewish men bribed my friend Marvin Weiss and me as we were coming out of the Terminal. They offered us 50 cents each, so they could have a minyan!
When we were going to Von, there was a hot dog stand called Reds. It did so well the owner built a one-story building on Foster near Kimball. That was the first place to serve celery salt! They also served soft drinks, including Upper 10 (3 more ounces then 7UP!!) Ne-Hi, Nedlogs (Golden spelled backwards) and Royal Crown.
On the northwest corner of Kedzie and Lawrence was Steinway Drugstore. It had a soda fountain, and hot fudge sundaes were 25 cents. Malts were served with a pack of two cookies and real whipped cream for 27 cents; shakes were 2 cents less.
Hank and Jerry Pritikin with the new RCA television set, 1947
The first TV in an Albany Park home
Jerry: In 1946 I remember seeing my first TV image. The set was in the window of Little Al’s Radio and Phonograph Store, on Lawrence near Spaulding. (Its slogan was: ”Where the customer is always wrong!) I watched the last out of a Cubs game.
In early 1947 Steiners Tavern on the northeast corner of Kedzie and Lawrence had the first TV in the neighborhood. I began to sneak in, and sit on the foot rail to watch Cubs games, Blackhawk games and basketball games.
My dad heard I was hanging out there. I remember him coming home from work and asking me to go with him. We went to Little Al’s, and he bought the first TV in Albany Park that was not in a tavern.
Al Turner of Little Al’s put a temporary antenna up. The first image on the screen was a kids show. It was Oct 13,1947. The show, Junior Jamboree, later to be called Kukla, Fran and Ollie, was making its debut.
From that time on, our house became the center of attraction for the neighborhood kids. On Tuesday nights, we had a couple of dozen people in our living room to see The Milton Berle Show. One of my classmates wrote an article in the Hibbard Herald, the school paper, called, “Keeping up with the times,” about our TV set (I wish I had a copy now!).
Frances: Did your family have relatives living in Albany Park or nearby? Do you know when your parents moved into Albany Park and where they lived before?
Jerry: My dad and his partner Morrie Wainer bought our two-flat home in 1944. The Wainers came from Douglas Park on the West Side, and we came from Lakeview. My parents had a few friends living in Albany Park before we moved there.
The location was great. Big red wooden streetcars on Lawrence, the Ravenswood el and buses on Kedzie. My Dad and Morrie sold tomatoes on South Water Market.
Hank Pritikin, far right, 1942
After the end of WWll, many new stores and restaurants opened up in the area. Because there were so many kids in the neighborhood, milk trucks (Bowman, Western United, Kramel) were making deliveries 2-3 times a week.
There was a large A&P on Kedzie, and a National Tea on Lawrence. Walgreen’s came in the early 1950s. There was a small Weinstein Chapel between Troy and Kedzie. In the early 1950′s Kaufman’s Bagels opened up on Kedzie. There were several shoe stores (4 Brother’s, Bergers). They had machines that you put your foot into, and it allowed you to see an x-ray like image to make sure you had the right size. My brother and I always played with it, and no one stopped us.
Frances: Some Sundays we’d get bagels at Kaufman’s on Kedzie. My mother double-parked and I had to run in. It was always packed.
Jerry: I remember there was a linoleum store on Christiana and Lawrence, and a very popular delicatessen called Purity’s just west of the Terminal Theater. The public library was just west of Kimball.
Frances: Did your family attend a synagogue?
We didn’t belong to any synagogue, but the first day my brother and I went to Hebrew school, we were kicked out for playing catch with our yarmulkes. My parents attended High Holiday Services at Jules Bowling Alley and Pool Hall on the 4700 block of N. Kedzie.
Former Congregation Beth Jacob, 4920 N. Kimball, was built in 1955. (Photo courtesy of Frederick J. Nachman)
In the early 1950s, Budlong Woods area near California and Foster had a housing boom, as well as many new synagogues. Very few houses had window fans and air conditioners didn’t arrive to the late 1950s. To attract new members, they all advertised that they were air conditioned! I recall the biggest new synagogue was on the 5700 block of Kimball (I can’t recall the name).
Frances: That was Shaare Tikvah. It opened in 1947, and just this past year, they sold the building and have relocated.
Update: Check out this video documentary about Albany Park in 1983, when the area was ruled by the Latin Kings gang.
Credits: Except where noted, all photographs courtesy of Jerry Pritikin.
Related Posts
1. Major League Memories: An Albany Park Boyhood, Part 2
2. Proustian Memories of Chicago Hot Dog Stands
Some more memories..how about Loree’s icecream on Foster between Kimball and Kedzie and Burt’s Restaurant on Foster & California for the BEST Corned beef sandwiches! Also Jimmy Wong’s on Peterson between Kedzie & California!
One more memory how about Thillens Stadium on Peterson and Kedzie!
Loree’s had great sundaes, and the owner’s daughter, Gayle, was in my class at Peterson. Jimmy Wong’s — what a scene! Thanks.
What a great post! I had so many of the same experiences….about 10 years after Jerry. My father worked at 16 South Water Market…..for M. Nathan and Co., who were our cousins. That company specialized in wholesale potatoes and onions. I think I had contact with just about every site Jerry mentions….except that girls watched the line ball games instead of participating.
Merle, that was my recollection about line ball and pinners for that matter. I don’t recall ever seeing a girl play. Jerry’s father and his partner sold tomatoes.
What an enjoyable journey back in time your post gave me. I too grew up in Albany Park. My parents partnered with my Aunt and Uncle and bought a three flat in the 4900 block of Albany in 1956. I spent most of my time at River Park 1 playing choose up baseball in the summers and hockey in the winter. The only time I went to Park 2 was to go swimming in summer. We lived there until 1965. I have been to many of the places Jerry mentioned in your interview. There are two more that places I frequented that may have started business in the early or mid 50′s. Mutt and Jeff’s hot dogs (originally owned by Stash of Stash’s, later moved to Highland Park) in the 4800 block on the west side of Kedzie, and a candy store (I think it was called Milly’s) on the same side of the street in the 4900 block. Milly’s would be my daily stop on the way to school for a 5 cents worth of pretzels and licorice pin wheels.
For a special treat my father would drive us to Lerner’s Hot Dogs when it was on Kedzie south of Bryn Mawr. I can still taste those dogs and see the Lerner clan; Sam, Seymour, Granma, Jay and Jerry. Those were great times.
That’s great that you saw the very first episode of “Kukla, Fran and Ollie”!
Did you know that some of the earliest KFO episodes were just released on DVD? Take a look:
kukla dot tv
Actually, it was Jerry Pritikin who saw the very first episode, on the very first TV in a private home in Albany Park. History making!
Morrie, I think Mutt and Jeff’s took over the old Lerner place at 4848 N. Kedzie. I’ll have to check with Mark or Jay Lerner to confirm that. What’s interesting to me is 1) the large number of hot dog stands in a relatively small area, and 2) the personal ties between the different stands. I wrote a bit about this subject in an earlier post.
I still can’t believe I didn’t know about the names, park 1 and park 2. We rarely went to the park west of the river, because we lived east of River Park at the time, on Argyle at Washtenaw, and I was young. It was just River Park to me, and I think I was there every day.
Thanks for stopping by.
I will never forget Loree’s Deluxe Hot Fudge Banana Split. My parents took my brother and I there often and that’s what we always ordered.
On another subject, does anyone remember Miss Basan(sp)? She taught ‘aleph’ at Shaare Tikvah Hebrew school during the 57-58 school year.
Morrie, I did a little research inspired by your comment. I was wondering if your licorice wheels were the same thing as my licorice records. Dennis Rafael, also a Von alum, gave me a link that shows they may have been the same type of candy.
Another great article to remind of of the “old days”
Just Great,
Thanks so much,
Ferne
Frances,
Here is a website to visit. It is about the history of Superdawg, another famous hot dog drive-in, still in existence.
http://www.superdawg.com/history.cfm
It was started by Maurie Berman & his wife Florence. I believe both were from Albany Park and graduated from Roosevelt High School. I remember my father telling me on one of our many drives to Superdawg (with my sister and I in our pajamas in the back seat) that when Maurie and Florence told their parents they were going to open a hot dog stand, they thought they were crazy. My father knew Maurie from
Roosevelt High School where he graduated in 1942. My mother graduated from Von Steuben in the same year, and and all of her siblings were graduates as well. I am also a Von Steuben graduate as is my husband and was all of his mother’s siblings. Our oldest daughter just recently let us know that she is renting an apartment down the block from our favorite hot dog place Superdawg, now with a 2nd location in Wheeling. How convenient! Enjoy all of your information about our unique history.
Thanks,
Judi Edidn Tuchten
Thanks, Judi. Everyone loves Superdawg, and of course it has connections to Peterson Park. I actually didn’t know about Superdawg until I went to Von and met Nancy Sklare, who is cousins with the owners.
What a long Von tradition your family has!
Frances,
The licorice wheels were all black licorice with a red hard candy center and now that you mentioned it they did look like a record.
My memories of Albany Park (I’m 60 yrs old, grew up in Budlong Woods). Terminal Theatre twin bills with “inmates” from the parental school in the balcony; Ned Singer Sports; Purity’s; original Bagel on Lawrence and Kedzie; Mom being taken to Swedish Covenant after having eaten glass at Loree’s Ice Cream Parlor; summer school at North Park College. Lerners near Kedzie was my hot dog standard (with Nedlog orange), the Pit on Foster for burgers.
Yep, the Pit for burgers is where we went in the early 1970s too.
Thanks for stopping by.
Thanks
It was great reliving so many experiences from our youth.
Lets not forget the Hollywood Bowl across from Peterson School.
Fries from Tongs tea garden on Bryn Mawr.
Terminal Theater on Lawrence.
Deborah Boys club on Ansle and Kimball
Maries on Foster where I bused tables for free lunch while at Von
Every day during summer at Hollywood Park
Frances: I just remember one fashion statement from the good old days… Ruben Grais Leather Jackets. They cost $38. bucks and were manufactured in Chicago during the 1950s.
Thanks for giving me the opportunity to take a trip back on the “Reversible Light-Year” train
to when it was going forward with my youth. I also recall when the Terminal Theater turned their marquee lights back on right after WWll. That was a big event, as well as when next year’s new cars arrived at Keystone Chevrolet on Lawrence Avenue. Also the great Woolworth 5 & Dime Store when it remodeled after a fire in the late 40′s. Again thanks…
Mark, thanks for adding to the memories here. Where was Marie’s?
Hi Frances
Maries was on Foster between Kimball and Christiana north side of street
All club meetings and sleep overs were at Deborah
I was an Epsilon
Club jackets came fro Ned Singer on Lawrence
When not in class at Von we were in Rocheles playing the bowling game
On Devon Saturday night all night after dates was spent at Devlin Bowling alley behind Bank of Lincolnwood
Can anyone remember the name of the toy store, where we had yo yo contests on
Sturdays
East side of Kimball north of Bryn Mawr
I don’t know where you had yo yo contests, but I still have my Duncan Imperial yo yo, the first yo yo that wasn’t made of wood — it’s a “clear” plastic tinted redish, which I bought at the Hollywood Bowl in ’57 or ’58 for $1.00.
I lived in Lincolnwood from ’58 to ’77 and I don’t remember any bowling alley behind the Bank of Lincolnwood. Where was it, please?
Thanks for the trip(s) down memory lane. I haven’t thought of Rochelle’s in a long time. What’s there now?
Where was Rochelle’s?
Rochelles was across from Von on Kimball west side of street across from the farthest south entrance Numero Uno hangout!
Devlin Bowl was behind Lincoln and Devon on a little side street just north of where the bank was had only 6 lanes
Surprising to learn of the number of bowling alleys that had disappeared by the late 1960s.
I found the following on the web:
The bowling alleys I remember from the 50s and 60s were:
Devlin – Devon and Lincoln
Hartnett’s- 6700 N Lincoln
Nortown (Bud Shabley’s)- Devon and Maplewood – 2nd floor
Theater- Pratt at Western
Sunset – 7300 N Western
Markay- Touhy at Western- 2nd Floor
Morse – 1400 W Morse ” ”
Both Devlin and the lanes on Morse Ave had “pin boys” during the 50s.
Other than Sunset, none of the above mentioned had more than 12 lanes.
Neal, thanks for the list. Gabby Hartnett’s was of course still opened through my high school years and after, but I think all the others may have been closed.
Two more bits of nostalgia, not directly related to Hollywood Park, but nearby:
Novelty miniature golf at Devon and Lincoln, and
Sunset Drive-in on McCormick north of Touhy
Hi “Ohmie”, great piece. Jim & I live in Highland Park, IL. and enjoy our 50+ years of marriage & good health. Roy & Enid are well; lives in Wilmette. Rolla
At River Park in the late 30s, the Neighborhood Boys Club, sponsored by a single industrialist in the city, provided us with scheduled, refereed, softball, baseball, basketball, football along with all necessary equipment for a large number of self-organized teams. I read his obituary in the Trib a few years ago and felt remorse at never having had the opportunity to thank him. …..does anyone recall the midget car races and gambling at the Devlin Roadhouse? How about “All You Can Drink Root Beer for 5 cents” on Lincoln Ave.near Touhy? Or the great milk shakes at Devon and Lincoln when low fat milk was outlawed inside Chicago by the Health Dept?… or the Guy Bush gas station at Lincoln and Peterson with that huge sign showing him pitch? My Dad bought all his Pontiacs from Mr. Grossinger on Lawrence near Western. I learned to bowl at Lincoln Square Lanes(?) on Lincoln just south of Lawrence, west side, SECOND floor —with pin boys!
….that’s just north of Lawrence.
That bowling alley on Lincoln closed not too many years ago. There was a block between the bowling alley and Lawrence that was completely demolished for a McDonald’s. Before it was torn down, one of the buildings had a dancing studio on the second floor, and its where I had my first dancing classes, around age four. At that time we lived in Budlong Woods, and I recall walking to the A&P and the to the Sulzer Library, which is now the Old Town School of Folk Music’s building.
The Devlin came up in an earlier conversation here, because it was also a bowling alley, but calling it a roadhouse sounds so much more exciting. Someone said it had 6 or 8 lanes, can’t recall. Pin boys too. Grossinger’s was also in the area for many years, at Lincoln and Pratt, and they may still be there.
Pins had to be set by hand before the machines were invented. It was grueling work – hot, requiring a bit of agility to avoid being hit by flying bowling pins, and not without some danger. Back in the early 30s Mr. Grossinger would sit out front of his storefront Pontiac dealership; my Dad, out for a stroll from our apartment on Argyle, frequently stopped for a chat and ended up buying his first Pontiac. Our family moved to North Park in 1930 but Dad always returned to Grossinger’s for his cars. The original Devlin was a roadhouse restaurant, gambling den supposedly owned and operated by the “mob”, tucked back in a grove of trees at the northwest corner of Devon and Lincoln. It seems to me I recall the Devlin bowling alley was at the northeast corner.
Another coincidence: we lived on Argyle, too. We were in the second two flat from the northeast corner of Argyle and Washtenaw. I went to Budlong for kindergarten and half of first grade.
I remember, and it had to be in the late 40s or early 50s, when the chimney at Budlong was hit by lightning. Once at Alba Bowl, that was the old movie theater at Kedzie and Lawrence was converted to a Bowling Alley. The pin-boy(wino) did not show up, and I was asked to fill in. Alan Garfinkel, who was in my class, must of knocked over 1 or 2 pins for the whole game, and I was paid 10 cents… so I wrapped a dime in a napkin and threw it back to him!
In the late 1940s,there were several auto dealers on Lawrence between the north branch of the Chicago River and Albany Street. C.Zepp Ford… Their slogan “Want a car? C.Zepp!” Supreme Hudson… they had a live TV show with a few vaudeville acts… and their TV used car specials had to be pushed on camera, and the side that faced the camera was shinny and like new, and the other side, not sowing was all smashed in. Keystone Chevrolet was the biggest… and every September after WWll, they would have next years model wrapped in brown paper, and only after a certain day, it was unveiled. It was considered a major event… with lots of balloons and small triangle plastic pennants of
different colors.
I lived on Albany corner Argyle right across from the baseball field in River Park. they would have the official games uniforms and all of the PeeWees. I once actually found the counter that the umpires used. My brother and I would go watch the games in the evening.
you mention the former Beth Jacob on Kimball, when the holocaust survivors started making the first bar mitzvahs in 1959-1960, that is where they were held. I still have a picture of myself attending a bar mitzva there.
Yes, I remember the A&P on kedzie near the ravenswood. The aroma of fresh coffee waiting to be ground in the front of the store. Next door was “Yidel” the fisher with his fresh lake superior white fish. A little further down Kedzie was on corner Leland ( I was born in that apt. house) was the fruit store owned by Mr. Owen who also peddled fruit in Albany Park. Across the street was Millers Kosher Butcher shop. On the same side as the cleaners was the butcher shop of Rabbi Odes and Yona Singer. Further south right after the train tracks was Tel Aviv Kosher Bakery owned by the Mauer family before they moved to Devon Avenue. When the Six Day War broke out I collected money for Magen David Adom the Israeli red star at the Kedzie Ravenswood station. In minutes i made more money than a child can possibly carry. People literally threw money at me.
We too lived on Argyle, but on the other side of River Park, at Washtenaw. I attended nursery school at the Albany Park JCC and I recall River Park and the library on Lincoln, but not much more of that neighborhood. I know we shopped on Lawrence occasionally, and of course I remember the Ravenswood terminal. What a wonderful memory you have, and how well you recreate the neighborhood.
Grew up across from Von Steuben, This really brings back memories. How about the el on corner Kimball & Lawrence, And the greasy fries across the street, that you got and then went on the El downtown.
Those were the days.
Thanks for stopping by Barb. When I picture the Ravenswood terminal, in my mind I aways see the old one which had so much more character than the sterile functional “building” that replaced it. The newstand with its array of candy always tempted me while I was waiting for the Kimball northbound bus.
Wonderful blog…Steiner’s Tavern on Kedzie and Lawrence became Sammy’s Tap in 1951 (my dad). He had the first “color” TV…put a blue, green, brown cell over the screen! Great for Westerns.
Just attended a Changing Worlds fundraiser at Hibbard School and have been going to
the Albany Park Theatre Project plays at River Park. The diversity of the area is amazing.
Caryl, I’m so thrilled to hear from you. Would love to get some history about Sammy’s tap. I’ll send you a direct email. thanks.
I don’t believe anyone mentioned Mitch’s, one of the great greasy hot-dog joints. It was where the now Albany Park Bank exists ( corner of Kimball & Lawrence NW side of the street. Me & my fellow ” Top Hats ” would be there every Saturday for lunch then walk over to the Terminal Theater for a double feature. As for Deli’s has anyone mentioned the great ” Bagel & Tray ” located in Lincoln Village. Or, how about the Lincoln Village Grille. Great places that I recall during the late fifties & early 60′s.
Thank you, Arnie! Mitch’s is a great one, since I had no idea what was on hat corner. Bagel & Tray I know, Lincoln Village Grille I don’t remember.
I have often thought about trying to recreate the businesses of Lawrence as I have done for Bryn Mawr, but the size of the project is daunting. There was so much on Lawrence Ave.
It is great to remember those shops from our childhood. Does anyone recall Singer’s Drug Store on Kedzie & Ainslie? I think it was a few doors south of Millie’s candy store, where we could buy all kinds of penny candy before or after going to Hibbard School for the day. There were also baseball cards and strange cards that would produce pictures when they were left in the sun on the sidewalk.
The drugstores were the places to be when it was too hot to be outside – have a cheery coke and sit in a booth for hours, enjoying the air conditioning.
The roller rink was on the east side of Kedzie, between Lawrence and Ainslie. The back of it was just outside our living room, so that we could hear that electric organ music every night in the warm weather. I was used to it, but I can’t imagine how my parents put up with it.
Hi, Gary. We’ll have to wait for the Albany Park readers to confirm Singer’s. Related to Singer’s sporting goods, perhaps? I do remember others writing about Millies, though.
There was another car dealer on Lawrence Ave inbetween Kimball & Kedzie. it was called ” Howser Nash” and sold Nash Ramblers. It was one of our first cars because my father,
Mort Edidin started there as a salesman after WWII and worked his way up to general manager. We lived at Hamlin & Lawrence, on the third floor, NE corner(the building is still there). I remember him coming home for lunch and dinner(the only time he was around then. Car salesman worked 7 days a week. Sometimes they had one morning a week off. My dad worked there from 1946 or 47 until 1951. I was 4 years old in 1951 when we moved to Hollywood Park to 5654 N. St. Louis along with my 6 month old little sister, Nicki. We lived there for 14 years. My father started his own automobile agency with a fellow classmate from Roosevelt High School, Herbie Nortell. They opened in Maywood, IL, ” Edidin Dodge Plymouth,” & then Oldsmobile. Later, in 1959 they went their separate ways, my dad to Westchester(Mort Edidin Oldsmobile) & Herbie to Western & Devon. In the 1930′s until the late 40′s my Zadyie owned a “Edidin (kosher) Butcher” store on Lawrence Ave. between Kimball & Lawrence. Many of your parents probably frequented his store. My father made deliveries.
The ” Nortell Edidin” did not come through. Don’t want to leave Herbie’s billing off. He was a colorful character.
Judy, I wish I had read this earlier today. I met with a group of women from Von, class of 1955, members of the Vee’s. Most went to Hibbard, so they might have remembered the Edidin car dealership. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your history.
Francis, My father went to Haugan Elementary(so did my husband) and my mother went to Volta Elementary. Father graduated from Roosevelt and my mother graduated from Von Steuben in 1942. I still have their yearbooks. I have an uncle who graduated from Von Steuben, my mother’s younger brother, in 1952, closer to the 1955 Vee’s. He went into the automobile business also. Used cars first and then Arlington Park Dodge. I have enjoyed going back in time. Thanks.
Howser Nash (either 3500 or 3700 W. on Lawrence) presented Mid-night mysteries on WNBQ , (original call letters for channel 5) and was a very popular auto dealer… except, the underworld wanted part of their business. He said no, and it was burned down… and never came back. There were a few auto dalers east of Kedzie… Keystone Chevolet at Albany, C.Zepp Ford at Whipple and Lawrence and for a while Supreme Hudson. They used to do a variety show from their garage. They had great lost leaders, except they only showed you one side of the car, that was in good shape and the smashed up side was never on camera. I also recall they had to push a car on camera, because it would not start. In September, back then was when the next years models came out… Keystone would have a Chevy wrapped in brown butchers paper and a red ribbon a few days before the official announced date. That was exciting for news back then… this was 12 years before Volkswagon and several more before Honda’s,Datsons, Toyota’s ,Mercedies showed up.
Jerry, this is a great topic for local history. There used to be so many dealerships in our area. Wasn’t Z Frank on Peterson and Western the largest, or did it just seem that way?
Did you see the comment left by Judi. In case anyone missed it, I’ll quote it here:
Does anyone who attended Hibbard Elementary School remember a Kindergarden teacher named Mrs Glatt? She taught K there for 28 years..
My parents moved here in the early 60′s. I went to Hibbard and Von and graduated from Roosevelt. Some teachers names I remember: Mr. Fred Harris (PE), Mr. Babbin (biology), Mr. Wall (drafting), Dredzie and Dolnick.
Loree’s was owned by Bob Dickers.
Alan, thanks for visiting. Gayle Dicker was my classmate at Peterson and Von, and has contributed to some of the posts I’ve written about Hollywood Park.
Michael, I remember Mrs. Glatt. I was born in October 1943, & was not quite 5 when I began kindergarten in Sept. 1948. I was the smallest & likely the least mature kid in class. My grandmother was dying of cancer. I can’t recall anything specific, but I don’t think needy was Mrs. Glatts specialty. We were not a good match. I lived at 4939 N. Whipple St. from my birth until 12 days short of my 19th Birtday. Hibbard classes from Jan 57 through Jan 59, all went to Roosevelt.
A little correction here;…It was “Hauser Nash” I lived on the corner of Avers & Lawrence above The Belson Deli ….Great smells…Across the street was the Mission Beverage Co..I used to wath them bottle orange pop….My best friends were Ronnie Berger and Lorie Gold
Thanks Jerry. You know I’ve done the Bryn Mawr business district and I’m very tempted to take on Lawrence Avenue, and with readers like you, I don’t think it will be that difficult to recall all the former businesses. Thanks.
Al & George Einhorn owned Horn Oldsmobile on Lawrence. My parents bought me my first car- a used 1957 Olds 98 from them .The used cars were on the second floor. Used the car to drive to Roosevelt football practice at River Park. Just got back from our 50th Roosevelt reunion-class of 1961. Lived on Kimball,1/2 block north of Lawrence-remember all the Albany Park places then. A great place to grow up-it was like one big family.We all knew everyone!
Thanks for visiting. I’m glad to add another store to the list of Lawrence Avenue businesses. I haven’t posted it yet, but I’m getting a good collection.
Great article,fond memories,Maury’s Hot Dogs,Mitch’s,Bonfire etc.
Glick’s Drug store,Lester’s Variety Store,Rudich’s,Max Strauss JPI,the boys club,,the SAC’s,AZA”s.Hanging out in the parks.Thanks for renewing the memories.
Arnie, thanks for stopping by. I’m adding these to my list.
I recall Omie used to announce baseball games to himself as he was playing pinners. Remarkably I remember his mentionting Sibis Sisti, the Braves’ second baseman and
Omie’s use of the word “sis” for throw as in “the sis over to first.
I remember Horn Olds. My mother Mollie Baum worked there and at
Keystone Chevy too I remember Singer Drugstore on the corner of
Winslow and Kedzie. Steinways became The Bonfire restaurant and there
Was Rice Drugs on the SW corner of Lawrence and Kedzie and S &L deli
On the SE corner. Tots n Teens was a store for kids clothes bought leather
Jacket there. Remember Louie’s??? School supies, penny candy and
Comics. I lived at 4910 N Kedzie from 1950 to 56. Went to Hubbard and Von
Remember Mr. Matz and mrs Zauka. And Mrs Kurilla. Kindergarten
Teacher Mrs Meyerbach?? How about the Whistle Stop? And Seymours?
I love this blog – what great memories. A couple of corrections: Singers of course was at Ainslie and Kedzie — Louie’s and Milly’s are one in the same….Milly had long ago left and Louie and his wife now owned the place. Louie was at least 80, under 5 feet tall, bald and cranky and everyone called him Milly! There was a bakery (Liss?) on the corner of Ainslie and Kedzie too – and a store that repaired tv’s and radios. We skated at Hollywood Roller Rink every Saturday and then headed to the Terminal for a double feature for 25 cents. On Lawrence Avenue, I remember B. Nathan and Milton Troy were great women’s stores. My cousin’s grandfather, Sam, was the ticket taker at the Metro theater which had the screen on the front wall as you walked in. Andies Candies was there and how about Schwartz’s?? Every girl got her first bra there!! Segals Shoes, oh, Hurwitz men’s store – there was nothing that you couldn’t buy on Lawrence Avenue – fabric, purses, clothes, kids stuff – it was a mall – from Kedzie to Kimball.
Terry, thanks so much for sharing all your wonderful memories. This is a real wealth of detail. Interesting that a number of Lawrence Avenue stores I knew as Devon Avenue stores in the early 70s. I laughed about the cashmere club; by my day at Von, I don’t think I even knew what cashmere was. Thanks for visiting.
When I was a little girl I went to Milly’s and Louie offered me free candy to come behind the counter and sit on his lap. His wife caught him and gave him hell!
I have a picture of Mrs. Glatt,the kindergarten teacher, that I will emai to anyone interested in seeing it. On Lawrence Ave, don’t forget the Hosiery store that had a wall full of flat boxes with nylon stocking in them. That was before panty hose. It was a few doors down from Schwartz’s. There was also a millinery store with ladies hats in the window next door.
Susan, thanks for visiting. Did you see Terry’s description of Louis (see comments above)? Funny now, but of course I’m sure it wasn’t at the time. I’d forgotten all about those thin elegant boxes for stockings. And a millinery store! That is fancy.
Hi, i lived at 5034 Troy, went to Hibbard, & Von, graduated in 1955.
My Dad would treat me occasionally to rent a bike at vange’s sports store on Kedzie,
just south of lawrence, near the A&P.
Thanks for visiting and reminding me of the A&P. I am wondering if that is the one I remember from when my family lived on Argyle. I’m guessing it must have been, but will check. Thanks.
How about the women’s store…Starr’s, Purity Deli and Community Bakery…best chocolate cake ever. And, of course, the EL station…B Nathan’s had the best choice of cashmere’s…those were the days. The Schwartz’s were friends of my family so imagine how embarressing it was to get my first bra there…even with my Mother.
Hi Carole, thanks for visiting. Did you know the Goldfarb’s who were related to the Schwartz’s? I just looked them up and found this article, and I didn’t realize the two Schwartz stores were separate entities. Syndi, who is quoted in the article, was in my class at Peterson one year, and Bruce who also went to Peterson, is a couple years younger than me. http://triblocal.com/highland-park-highwood/2011/07/12/approaching-100th-birthday-store-known-for-compassion-gets-new-home-in-highland-park/
Also, I learned through contributors to this blog, that the owners of Community, the Gordons, were related to the family who founded Sara Lee, and the first Sara Lee cheesecake was baked at the Community Bakery on Bryn Mawr. It’s funny about your mentioning cashmere sweaters; the fashion had changed by the time I went to high school and I never had one. Not sure if I would have had one even if they were in style, though, if they were as pricey as they are now!
“It was good to see Charles Chatsy Waldman reply, I tried hitting on his name to send him an email, but the link took me to an ad. He used to live in a bungalow facing River Park 1 on the 5000 block of N.Albany, and he had a great Halloween party in 1949 or 50. He used to like drawing boxing pictures. He had a great smile and laugh! And he was right… I used to announce playing pinners with my imitation of Cubs announcer Bert Wilson.
love reading all about fabulous albany park .i lived at 4731 n lawndale.used to hang out at maury’s hot dogs across the street from me ‘ maury bought it from al who was called little als red hots. on friday nights after the terminal we went to maries on lawrence just west of pulaski.in fact i still go ther when i come in from california ,usually once a year remember bennie the barber for 25 cents a cut,he was on lawrence between lawndale and monticello.glicks drug store lawrence and lawndale.kaplans bakery on lawrence between lawndale and monticello.wow best years of my life .played ball at jensen park across from the j.thank for jarring my memories
Hi, Gary. thanks for visiting. I’m glad you mentioned Jensen Park. I’m going to check it out. I’ve got lots more coming on Albany Park.
Cooper & Cooper was great. The unforgettable cooking aromas coming from the place when you passed it by made you hungry for one of their burgers. Remember Bonfire Restaurant on the corner of Kedzie & Lawrence? They gave you a tub of free powdered donut holes on every table and replenished it when it was empty (probably why they went out of business). Lawrence Avenue actually had some nice stores, including what was called a “dry goods” store. I remember as a little kid, thinking my mom and aunt were going to the “dry guts” store. And the neighborhood butcher shop had chickens in cages and the women would choose their victims. Someone would then grab the screeching chickens and take them in the back of the store, where they had tubs and the chickens were slaughtered. The floor was covered with sawdust. As a little girl, I was shocked by it all and hated going there. But later, I would be served chicken soup with “chickie feet,” and I remember eating it. We were a close-knit family of many relatives, and poor, but our parents never let us know it. Still, It would have been unthinkable to ask for something our parents said they couldn’t afford. I just remember lots of laughter, singing and the adults playing poker, where all anyone could lose at the end of the evening was a quarter that got put into a kitty. At the end of the year, the family took the kitty and went to Phil Schmidt’s restaurant for a steak dinner. We lived on Central Park, between Lawrence and Montrose. Across the street was Segal’s deli. Every Sunday morning, the children were sent to buy lox and bagels from Mr. and Mrs. Segal. The older I get, the more I miss those wonderful days where 8 of us lived together and magic happened every day on the second floor of a 3-flat apt. building in Albany Park, where if something went wrong, the owner always promised to “fix it tomorrow.” And a slice of rye bread and butter or a family shared bowl of popcorn and a hug could solve any problem.
Marlene, many thanks for writing and sharing these wonderful images of the past. I love the phrase “Dry guts” — it reminds me of when someone called me a “gut girl.” Recently I interviewed Bob Fine, whose father owned Max’s butcher shop on Lawrence. Do you remember it? They supplied the ground beef to Cooper & Cooper. Your comment about being poor but your parents not letting you know it is something I hear again and again from the people I’ve interviewed. Many say they either didn’t know they were poor or that no one really cared who had more or less, at least from the kids’ perspective. It’s hard to believe how little it took to make us happy. I recall our family eating dinner out at the Walgreen’s on Lawrence and Western and thinking it was such a treat!
Well I lived on Spaulding and Ardmore and my parents were original members of Shaare Tikvah-when it started on Bryn Mawr in a store front. I graduated with Carole Ann Roth in June of `1957 from Von….Hollywood park had Tanya’s Deli on the corner of Spaulding and Bryn Mawr-Sandlers Drug Store-and they would deliver Ice cream sundaes along with your Rx….. Times were much simpler then sorry my grandchildren are growning up in such a different world.
Hi, Alysa,
You must have known Marty Marcus, who I’ve written about in these pages. Or your parents knew his parents. Few kids in the sixties knew that Shaare Tikvah started in a storefront. A friend of mine was in the last confirmation class, 1969. I can’t imagine why the synagogue’s members must have felt when they realized the Jewish families were moving away, so soon, less than 20 years, after that huge beautiful building was built.
I hadn’t heard about delivery of ice cream sundaes! It seems funny now.
Thanks for visiting. Do you remember your old address?
wow i lived at4913 whipple went to hibbard/von graduated in 55 am a member of the li’l gentlemen ,white and black jkts married elaine sonshine another albany parker who was in the i’s graduated in 57- lawerence ave was ours up to st louis just beyond the albany pk bnk we too hung out at deborah boys club river pk and mitch’shotdogs just west of kimbal on the n side of the street love the memories
I live in Milwaukee, just about 90 miles from “home.” It took me years to become accostomed to this city, but adjustment finally takes place.. Marrriage, 3 kids, grad school, career, community events, and still Albany Park comes to mind. At least once a year I visit my apt. building on Troy and Carmen, (oh have the trees grown!) and River Park, where I igot the greatest tan,and” pumped” the swing till I touched the fence, and Hibbard School, and Von and then another apt. on Leland and Sawyer, and the streetcars down Kedzie Ave, and the El, and the smells and sounds of our people. Singers Drug store on Kedzie and Sawyer where I learned how to smoke, and the candy store on Kedzie and Argyle that ordered Fleece bubjble gum for 2 cents and one night heard horns and people yellling “:the war is over!” Oh yes, the butcher shop on Kedzie and Argyle, with the saw dust and those big butcher block tables….My great uncle was the “schehoct.: and afterwards came to our house for a glass of tea with a sugar cube min it. The ice factory across the street on Troy and Carmen was where we went for ice when the old fridge din’t want to work.. and Montrose beach and Foster beach where we went for great hot-dogs and picalliily. By the way, here in Milwaukee, it is relish!!! Took me years to get accomstomed to the “tetter-totter”, “soda” (not pop) and a “bubbler” not a fountain…..Oh yes, do I remember Albany Park!!!!. wh love, and memories!!!
Merle, thank you so much for stopping by to share your memories of Albany Park. Why is it that the neighborhoods in our areas–Albany Park for you, Hollywood Park for me–are so vividly remembered? I don’t think it is just because those were the places we grew up. These neighborhoods really had a lot of character–and characters–and they were like small towns that stayed the same for so long. Thanks again for writing. Let me know next time you visit. You can use the contact form on this site to send me a direct message, and perhaps we can meet in Albany Park.
I can not beleive no one has mentioned Bob the ice cream man. He had a store front on Drake 3 doors north of Lawence. He drove around with a cushman scooter with a freezer on the front. He also had a bout 20 bycile carts. I worked every day from April to Sept of 1953 Made $13.25 on the fourth of July 1953 You called in from a gas station and they brought you more dry ice and product I had East River Park and Bud long woods,I am from the June 1953 Class at Hibbard. If I see this printed I got a lot more memories.
Joel, thank you for stopping by and sharing your memories. I’m sure someone else out there will also remember Bob the ice cream man. Where did you go to high school? Please send more memories in!
I lived in the big yellow building kitty corner from Debroah Boys club.I graduated from Hlibbard school in June of 1953, I had many jobs in those days, I deliverd meat for many kosher butchers it was a .25 per delivery. One was on Kedzie right near Lerners in the 4800 block,The other two were right near St Louis and Lawrence. I would run home after school and get my bike and check in at each one. I went to Hebrew School 4 days per week and Saturdays were services and Sunday more of the same. I did not have to be at Hebrew School in 6th and 7th grade untill 6pm. I gave up the Deliverys in about spring of 8th grade to start taking out the ice cream cart. One thing we had in those days was the freedom of the streets.
I was always out after dark, and sometimes we would just jump on the Ravenswood El go down to Washington Street cross the platform and come back home.I rember all the places mentioned and I think when I frist went to Lerners it was .32 for a hot dog with fries small coke and tax. When my mom could not be home for lunch she sent my brother and I to my Aunts house who lived on the 5000 block of troy. Once she went some where wlith the Aunt (her sister0 and she gave me a buck to take my brother to lerners. It was great.
Joel, did you work for my acquaintance Bob Fine of Max’s butcher shop on Lawrence? And, we both know Lerner’s, although I only knew it when it was on the 5500 block of Kedzie. It wasn’t just that we had freedom of the streets, to walk alone even as young kids around the neighborhood, but that we knew or at least recognized the owners of so many of the small businesses, in my case of Bryn Mawr, and in yours, on Lawrence. Thanks for visiting and sharing your memories.
I can not remember the name of the two butcher shops on Lawrence, but I think the one Kedzie was Kranys, Thursday was the best day as every one was ordering for shabbos. I remember working on a sunday because Kol Nedra was on Tuesday night and of course Kosher buthcer shops were closed on Saturdays, so they had to get the meat , to cook on Monday I know their were a lot of people named Fine who were in the kosher meat business.I started at the Synoage on the 4900 Block of Kimball for about a year untill my mom had a run in with the Rabbi I then went to Bina Sholom for the next 3 years and thats were I was Bar Mitvahed Bina Sholom was on the S.W. corner of Sawyer and Ansile.I even rember the Admiral when t shhowed regular movies.
Regards,
Joel
i am sure that the Dri Gts store that was mentioned was Bryskins it was on the east slide of Kedzie mid way between Lawrence and Ansile. I rember this store from about 1944. There was a grocery store just north of Bryskins that extened credit to the wifes of servlce men serving in WW11 as my Dad was at the time. Bryskins way very packed with inventory and he had to serch through many boxes to find your size. He later moved on Lawrence just accross the street from the llibary at Drake ave. My good freinds grandfather use to call cooper and cooper (hock mit the shovel with his thick yiddush accent) This was because the cook would pull a round ball of ground beef on a pice of wax paper throw it on the grill and push down on it wlith a spatula. shapping it into a round buger
Regards,
Joel
Good to hear from you as always, Joel. Cooper & Cooper will be the subject of a blog post one of these days. I’ll have to track down a photo. I’m also going to create a list of all the Lawrence Ave. area business, 1940-60s, so your comments are helpful.
I lived across from River Park – 5020 N. Albany
I went to Hibbard. I remember Mrs. Jonas 4tt or 5th Grade. She was the best teacher I ever had.
On Lawrence -west of Kedzie was the Junior Shoe Box – the man was Eric. He always gave us a gift when we purchased shoes. He also had the “x-ray” machine. I think Mr. Junior – the clothes store was also on the same street. I got my Bar Mitzvah suit there.
I went to B’nai Shalom – 3-4 days a week plus Shabbat- Rabbi Kleinerman- a tought cookie.
Thank you for all of the great memories.
David, thank you for visiting and sharing some memories of Albany Park. Did you go to Von, or did your family move when you were in high school?
Frances,
We moved to Skokie when I was 14. I went to Niles East.
The bridge adjacent to the Eugene Field Park clubhouse had been a covered bridge when I first visited the park in about 1946. The old men sat on benches in its shade. It was soon torn down and replaced by a common bridge.
The Chicago Park District archives might have a photo of the covered bridge. I’ll check. Sounds lovely.
Wow what a trip down memory lane, and fond remembrances of happier simpler times. I could literally write a small book here. We moved to Chicago in December of 1953, when I was 3. We lived at 5225 N. Sawyer on the second floor of a two flat. The apartment was truncated, to take advantage of the housing shortage in post WWII Chicago. We had two bedrooms and beyond the wall was a very small one bedroom apartment where Ronnie and Denny Abrams and their single mom lived. They were originally from Brooklyn and we (mom, dad and younger brother) were from Pittsburgh. The landlords were a middle aged couple Mr and Mrs Sam Hefter. I don’t recall Mrs. Hefter’s first name but her maiden name was Brill and she had a daughter named Lillian. Sam owned a junkyard and the Hefters were kindly and patient landlords who never raised the rent in the time we lived there (1953-61.) In that section of North Park at that time you were either Jewish or Swedish. There was an Italian family named Liberatore that lived in the 5200 block of N. Spaulding and there was us, the only two Catholic families I was aware of in the immediate vicinity. Ronnie Abrams was my age, his brother Denny older. Ronnie cleaned me out of most of my baseball cards playing “lag”. Does anyone remember that game? I went to my dad crying and he had no pity for me. He said you lost now take it like a man. The Abrams mom worked in the same office building as my dad at 222 W Adams. Around 1958 or 59 mom packed up the boys and they all moved to LA. We joked that they were following their beloved Dodgers. I got off to a very rocky start at Peterson elementary school. I only attended kindergarten for a week and then flunked the first half of first grade. The CPS divided school into semesters back then with February and June graduations in both elementary and high schools. I was very nearsighted and somewhat shy, and did not get my glasses until it was too late to salvage the semester. I breezed through my repeat of 1B and then my mother got me into the Bateman private school at 20 east Burton place in the gold coast. We couldn’t afford it but they tested me and allowed me enter into second grade in September of 1957. I flourished there in 2nd and 3rd grade but then the money ran out and I returned to Peterson for 4th and 5th grade where I avenged my earlier failure by doing well. My first favorite place in the neighborhood were nearby River Park where I spent hours playing and exploring. I learned how to play baseball there. I also enjoyed Lorees which was just down the street. The North Park special was the best sundae I ever had and probably ever will. I also remember the barber shop next door or maybe two doors down from Lorries where I’d get my hair cuts. The drug store on Spaulding and Foster owned by Bruce Reindeau, was where I’d buy candy and baseball cards. There was a small grocery store about two doors down from the drug store owned by a kindly old man whose name I have forgotten, a supermarket on Christiana and Foster, Zfaney’s drug store at Kimball and Foster and a tastee freeze between the supermarket and Zfaney’s. All the businesses on this part of Foster were of course on the north side of the street as part of the North Park College campus was on the south side. Of course the Pit on Foster just east of Kedzie was a popular place too. Across the street from me was Sara Olsson, a classmate of mine at Peterson, and whose dad I believe was Principal or headmaster at nearby North Park Academy. Next door to her was Johnny Swanson, whose dad Harold was the first and most successful football coach at nearby North Park College. The Swansons moved to Rockford in the early 60′s. Up the street was where Vickie Polender a friend of Sara’s and another classmate lived. I think it was in 4th grade when Lenny and Barry Goldberg moved into the apartment building two doors down from me at Sawyer and the alley just before George’s on Foster. Lenny was my age, and his brother Barry 3 years older. Both would be very good baseball players at Von Steuben. Their dad Julius, a quiet studious man worked at the giant Goldblatt’s in Uptown. I spent a lot of time at their apartment talking baseball and just hanging out. I still have my 5th grade class picture from Peterson. We left the apartment on Sawyer and moved to 4723 N. St. Louis. I graduated from Haugan in June of 1964. If this post doesn’t get gonged maybe I’ll write something about my Albany Park life.
WOW! And thanks. I will respond in length later.
I was born and raised in Albany Park, one block south of River Park. I went to Hibbard School. Mrs. Glatt was my kindergarten teacher. Roger Cohn was the only boy in my classes who was smaller than me and I remember Susan Hirsh. When I was 6 or 7 we moved to Ravenswood Manor but got a special permission to continue at Hibbard. I graduated in 1957. My 8th grade teacher was Laura Zaucha. I went to the “Branch” at Roosevelt H.S. where Mr. Shively was my first and only male teacher. I’m sure he was my inspiration for becoming a teacher myself. I retired in 1998 after nearly 35 yrs. at a suburban high school.
Does anybody remember the rollerskating rink on Kedzie just north of Lawrence? I think it was called Hollywood. I believe it was owned by the uncle of one of the students in our class, Larry Kaufman. I used to skate there on my way home from school nearly every day.
We also got our first TV set in 1947. It was an RCA 10″ b&w Console(radio, TV and record player). It broke down regularly and the repair man would come to our house, cover the floor with a bed sheet, pull the chassis and replace parts until it worked. Yrs. after it no longer worked my mother kept it in the living room because it was such a lovely piece of furniture.
I remember a Hot dog joint on Kedzie, before it became Lerner’s. I believe it was called The Whistle Stop. A Lionel electric train ran all around the booths and tables and delivered your hot dog order on a flat car. A hot dog, drink & fries was a quarter. The place was jammed at lunch time but it didn’t last long.
I still get a yen for the candy dots on long strips of white paper, wax lips, wax bottles filled with sugar water and the marshmallow filled cones that they sold at Millies.
In those days I walked from Hibbard to Temple Beth Israel, the Terminal theater and all the way home to Ravenswood Manor south of Lawrence at the river, even at night after a double feature without worrying about getting mugged.
Everett, thanks for stopping by. You are the first to recall the name of the hot dog shop that preceded Lerner’s. And I loved that penny candy as much as anyone. Funny thing, my daughter thinks it’s awful. Thank again for visiting. Love to hear more memories from you!
I don’t often hear any mention of stores south of Lawrence Ave. on Kedzie. On the west side of Kedzie a block or so south of Lawrence was a tobacco shop. I’m not sure if it even had a name. My father and my 2 uncles who also lived in Albany Park went in there often. It actually was more of a front for a bookie joint and continuous poker game. My father loved to play the ponies and my uncle George played poker. It was the best kept secret in Albany Park.
There was a tavern on the northeast corner of Lawrence and Kedzie. I used to walk by it every day on the way home after school. In the warm weather they used to keep the door open and to this day I remember the mysterious fragrance of smoke and stale booze that drifted out as I walked by. It was very dark inside but many times I would hear,”hello little boy” as I passed the door.
There was a funeral parlor on Lawrence, I can’t remember whether it was east or west of Kedzie,but it was on the north side of Lawrence. A classmate of mine either in kindergarten or 1st grade darted out between parked cars on Lawrence Ave. and was hit and killed by a CTA bus. It was the first time I was ever in a funeral home and I was scared and confused. The casket was closed because, I was told, my friends head was squished.
There was also a store on the north side of Lawrence Ave. my mother took me into many times. They made, hand- painted and sold porcelain dishes, cups and statuary. I learned later that the man that owned the shop was a very famous artist from a family noted for their hand-painted porcelain. I believe it was close to Little Al’s Record Store and a Buster Brown shoe store. The shoe store might have gone in when Little Al’s closed.
I remember when the Alba Theater closed and was turned into the Alba Bowling
Alley. Some of my brothers friends tried to get jobs there as pin-spotters.
I remember my mother did all her shopping on Kedzie and Lawrence Ave’s. There was a butcher shop, a bakery, a fish market, and an IGA, that I believe turned into a Kroger, all south of Lawrence. We only left the neighborhood once a week, on Sat. when we went to the big chain store next to the Sears around Western and Foster. Not sure about the streets.
My father bought my first new car, a ’63 Ford Falcon at River Ford on Lawrence just west of the river. I got my first job, while I was in High school. at Albany Park Service on the south side of Lawrence at the west side of the river. The manager, Barney Lipsey used to own the Texaco Station on the east side Kedzie, north of Lawrence where my father always took his cars until it closed.
Everett, it all sounds so colorful, doesn’t it. I have to wonder was bookie joint a secret or not? I have not met a single person from Albany Park from the ’50s who hasn’t mentioned it! I think my mother shopped at an A&P on Kedzie — there was one, wasn’t there?
You have a better memory than me. I believe you are exactly right, it was an A&P not IGA.
I must be the only one who thought no one else knew it was a bookie joint. I guess I led a sheltered life.
By the way, was it a Bekins, Moving& Cold Storage facility on the south side of Lawrence Ave.? I should remember because I was riding my bicycle on the sidewalk and turned around to talk to my friend Larry who was riding behind me when I ran smack dab into the bay window that jutted out. I sang soprano for about an hour. It almost swore me off boys bikes.
was the name of the synagogue on Bernard and Ainslie Congregation Beth Israel?– I was married to my ex-husband there after converting to Judaism when I was 17-Thank goodness the temple was reform-might not have happened-does anyone know the Rabbis’ name in 1963/64??
Yes! I was Bar Mitzvah there in 1956. The Rabbi at that time was Rabbi Ernst M. Lorge. I believe the Congregation moved to Skokie in the 80′s. I also was married to my ex-wife there in 1967 by Rabbi Lorge so I assume he was there in ’63/64.
Sharon, I was out of town the day you posted this question, and didn’t see it until now. I have to look this up, or better yet get help from one of Albany Park contributors. Well, I just noticed that Everett Melnick replied for me. Thank you! The synagogue is on Dempster in Skokie now, and one of my nursery school friends from Albany Park JCC married into the Lorge family, but not sure of the relationship with Rabbi Lorge. Interesting connections. I am a bit behind in my blogging due to spring break, but will be back up with a new post soon.
I was so happy to see that the store was mentioned on Kedzie that had the cage’s with the live chickens. My grandparents Sam & Dora Gerber had a tiny tailor store right next store. My grandmother would literly make me go with her to get a chicken, it was sooo gross. I hated to go. One of my favorite memories was going with my dad every Saturday to see my grandparents and go to the corner store which always had barrels of pickels outside of the store and making him buy pickels for me before I would take them from the barrel.
I was talking to my dear friend that I grew up with and we were talking about all our memories about growing up in Hollywood Park and going to Albany Park all the time. I couldn’t remember the name of the roller rink when it came to me…Hollwood roller Rink. I had my skates in my beautiful case with a sparkling design and went every Saturday to skate(not very well) then to the Terminal for the double feature. How happy were my parents!! Every comment I’ve read I remember it all, what a special blog, I Love it. I go back to Chicago in the next few months and I need to re visit more of my old memories. Liz Gerber Spero
Liz, thanks for stopping by and sharing the memories. I love that you mentioned the pickel barrels — I didn’t go to that store but the deli at Lincoln Village had a pickle barrel and I enjoyed stopping for a snack.
Am I just dreaming or was there another movie theater in Albany Park besides the Terminal and the Alba, or was the Alba re-named the Metro or vice-versa? The name Metro sticks in my mind.
The entrance was on Kedzie Ave.You.walked straight ahead for seating and when seated, you faced Kedzie. When I was about 4 yrs. old we lived on the South Side in Englewood. My Dad and I were visiting one of his brothers. My father, uncle, cousin and I went to the Alba to see a Western as we went in there was a sudden burst of .gunfire. Since the theater was reversed from any other I was disoriented besides being startled; so I did what anyone would do I ambushed…. I ran out of the theater and my father chased me down the street! A memory never to be forgotten of one of my Albany Park visits.
Lou, your childhood experience must have looked like one of those early black and white slapstick movies. thanks for stopping by.
I can’t tell you the locations, but I believe there were as many as 7 different movie theaters in Albany Park during the 1940-50s era.
Hello again Frances. I don’t think I remember that many theaters, but I don’t go back to the 40′s. The current Admiral porn place was one although shut down through much of the 50′s. Not too far away was the Irving at Irving and Pulaski. Possibly one near Drake and Montrose. The current Muslim (I think) community center and possibly mosque at Elston near Montrose was I believe the Rivoli. Maybe it does approach 7.
I will have to see if I wrote down the list somewhere. I am a bit behind in my projects.
The Metro, it seems, was across the street from the Terminal. It was originally the Terminal which then moved to a newer and larger building across the street. I was only at the Metro a few times as it closed in the early 50′s, but I still remember the name.