Our home was in the center of a "metropolis"
at 124 Elm Street. Pacific Avenue, a couple of hundred feet from
the house, ended at Elm. On one corner was Erne clothing store and
on the opposite corner a drugstore. Next door to the drug store
was a barber shop. The barber shop had at least 100 shaving mugs
on the shelves. Fellows coming in for a haircut and shave had their
own mug.
Across from those stores, on Elm Street was Pensas' ice cream
parlor where we would buy ice cream; ONLY on someone's birthday!
Next door to our house was Schwarz's bakery. I could smell the
baking when I got up in the morning. The ovens were under the sidewalk
and in the winter when it snowed, theirs was the only dry sidewalk.
Next to the bakery was a saloon.
Across the street was an A&P on the corner. I had a job there,
for a time, weighing out butter from bulk into small packages; same
with sugar and I also ground coffee. Next to the A&P was the
butcher shop. Everything needed for every day living was within
walking distance. And milk and eggs were delivered to our front
door (ice to our back porch). The coal was poured down a chute into
the basement.
The trolley car came up Pacific Avenue, turned left on Elm and
then right on Union Street (almost right in front of our house).
And I remember when the trolleys were still pulled by horses!
You can get in touch with Charlie Bazata by sending an email to
his daughter or snail mailing
him at:
Charlie Bazata
10050 SW 213th Ter.
Miami, Fl. 33188
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