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Confectioneries, ice cream and candy stores
What's on this page:
- 20th-century confectioneries, ice cream shops, candy
stores (includes new reminiscences
about Doc and Rose Welsh's from Marion Denion)
- Confectioneries, ice cream shops, candy stores listed in directories and maps, 1900-1940
- 19th-century confectioners, ice creameries, candy stores
- 20th-century grocery and other food stores
- 20th-century meat markets and butcher shops
- 20th-century stores on wheels
- 20th-century dairies and milk product stores
- 20th-century bakeries
- 20th-century flour, grain,
feed mills /
stores
- Ice sellers and companies
The image of Fairchild's at top left is cropped from a postcard that came from John Zubach.
There were more candy stores than this - please help me to expand the list!
SWEETS!
Balas Creamy Delite -
East South St. (1956 ad from Ed Merrick) - (Great soft-serve ice cream.
I worked at the counter at Balas's one summer when I was in high
school. I never could get the hang of making milkshakes on those shake
machines without splashing chocolate syrup on my uniform. - CT)
Candyland - Refowich
building, Center at Main (from Ed Merrick, 1919 ad and photo showing
what might be Candyland)Capece's candy store - 451 Centre St. (- Nicholas Capece, and later Mrs. Caroline Capece - still later Mary E. Capece?, proprietors)
Diamond Tea & Coffee Co. - 413 Centre St. - products include many kinds of fresh fruit and vegetables, cakes, pretzels and candies (1924 ad)
The Double Dip - in or next to the Balon Building (Mrs. Bradish, manager) (From Marion Gabuzda Boyle Denion: I was reading the section on Fountains, resturants and ice cream parlors, and noticed that The Double Dip was not mentioned. In the early 1940's the Double Dip ice cream parlor was a small store in the Balon building or next to it across from the Refowich. I think a Mrs. Bradish managed it. My sister worked there from '40 to '43. It was the "hang out" for the FHS kids. I had started to work there when they closed, but at the same time Doc and Rose Welsh opened their ice cream parlor in the Welsh building and hired me. It became the hang out for the FHS kids '43 to to '46 and we all called it "Rose's". Rose and Doc were great to work for and to all of us kids. They sold Jane Logan icecream. The sign out front said "Jane Logan". ... It just came to me that Carmelita worked at the Double Dip before she went to Woodie's.)
Doynics' candy store - Dewey St. (Will Doynics, proprietor) (From Bill Feissner: I think this was before your time at Freeland High, but across the street in an empty lot was a small shack that had a candy store in it (now Gyp's parking lot). It was owned by Will Doynics. I believe it closed about 1958.)
Fairchild's - 712 Centre
St., previously at 606 Centre - Made candy and ice cream (Walter H.
Fairchild, proprietor) (1922 ad)(these 2 ads courtesy of the Hazleton
Historical Society)I will make a separate page for Fairchild businesses.
Fairchild's Luncheonette and ice cream parlor - 632 Centre St. (Elwood Fairchild) (later sold to Elwood Whitehead and became Woodie's)
Feist's Wholesale Confectioner - 818 Front St. (R. E. Feist, proprietor) ('51 Minamek)
Freeland Candy Kitchen - next to Refowich Theatre - Candy, ice cream (1924 ad)
Hazle Ice Cream - 419 Centre St. - Branch No. 5 of the Hazle Milk Company from Hazleton (from Ed Merrick, 1931 ad)
Krone's - 500 Johnson St. (From Ed Merrick: Grover Krone,
proprietor) (From Chuck Tancin: I loved this store when I was a
teenager. Mrs. Krone ran it at that time, and Gladys
would usually also be there. They had great ice cream and lots of good
snack foods, along with dolls and toys. Mrs. Krone was friendly and
interesting to talk to. I gave
her a lot of business. My dad also knew her and sometimes he would take
me and my brother Steve there to get ice cream and chat with Mrs. Krone
for a bit. My favorite ice cream there was peanut butter, and she also
sold bags of those little bright orange waffle cracker sandwiches that
were filled with some kind of cheddar cheese spread. And great
cheese-covered popcorn!)(From Karl Krone: I have been reading your website on the History of Freeland and wanted to offer a few comments about Krone's Store. Frederick and Anna Krone moved from Jim Thorpe around 1897 and purchased the property from someone named Miller. (Deed book, Luzerne County Courthouse) At that time, it was actually a hotel with an outdoor beer garden hidden by a fence. The garden was fairly elaborate. After Frederick and Anna died, the property passed through several offspring before finally ending up in the hands of Grover (One of Fred and Anna's sons) and Evelyn Coxe Krone. (Evelyn was actually Charlie Coxe's sister - Charlie of Charlie's Men's Store). Gladys who was often seen in the store with Evelyn was another descendant of the Krone family. She was not a blood relative of Evelyn. Gladys was a bit of a town mystery and the cause of much speculation. She seldom spoke. Evelyn was quite a character. She believed in Astrology and the natural order of things. The front window of the store was filled with plush stuffed animals. In addition, they sold candy, some groceries, loose cigarettes and delicious Yuengling's Ice Cream. (The makers of Yuengling Beer went into the ice cream business during prohibition continuing into the early eighties.) Other money makers in the store were special pinball machines and punchboards that discreetly awarded cash prizes. The store usually only closed weekly on Tuesday afternoon when Evelyn walked to the bank with her briefcase. There were often long lines for ice cream in the Summer. The strength of Evelyn's wrist for scooping ice cream was legendary. In closing, I just want to say keep up the good work. Frederick and Anna were my great grandparents. Prior to the last owner, the building was bright red including the concrete steps.)
Learns Confectionery Store - 606 Centre, Freeland. Candy, cigars, tobacco, Dwyer's ice cream, home made Easter eggs fresh from Fairchild's factory, confectionery. (Source: Catholic Reference Book and Parish Register, circa 1924, Ed Merrick) (also 1924 and 1925 ads)
Leichtmans Ice Cream -
"Thanksgiving Ice Cream Pie - order now from your favorite dealer ..."
(from Ed Merrick, 1936 ad) - The header cropped from an envelope
postmarked 1904 advertises Leichtman's as the Palace of Sweets, with
"Kandies that's Fit to Eat" and "Cigars that Can't be Beat."
Leppler's Confectionery and
Cigars - 710 Centre St. (A. Leppler, proprietor) (photo from
John Zubach, showing the store next to the previous Post Office
location)
M. Merkt, Confectioner
[Michael "Charley" Merkt] (from Ed Merrick, 1919 ad) - Chas. Merkt,
Wholesale confectionery, Freeland (from Billy Kuklis, 1932 FPD Ball
program) - The two photos at left were taken when this store was in the
Birkbeck building at Centre and Main; he later moved up to the 700
block of Centre Street. I scanned this photo at the YMCA in 2007/2008.
It was also published in Freeland's
Suburban Penny Saver in October 1963, where Tom Zubach referred
to this as the Besbris building (Capitol Men's Store) -- he had
received
the photo from George Wilson. This copy shared here courtesty of Tom
Landers, Joe Flanagan and the Freeland Historical Society.Mom's candy store - 323 Centre St. (Anna Della Croce, proprietor) (1948 phonebook) (CT: This was the small penny candy store just up the street from our apartment on Centre and Carbon Sts. when I was little; it was a building or two up from Pappalardo's garage. Mom was a nice old lady who had infinite patience with kids who couldn't make up their minds about how to spend their nickels. And, even better, in the back corner by the radiator she had a stack of used comic books that you could buy -- I seem to remember buying 2 for a nickel, if that's possible. So that helped feed my reading habit, from Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, The Flash to Donald Duck, Ritchie Rich, Little Audrey, Archie, etc. -- I gave her a lot of business, if not a lot of money.) (AND I was so excited to recently see Anna Della Croce listed at this address in the 1948 phonebook, because I've been looking for "Mom's" name for a long time.)
J. J. Newberry Co. - 532 Centre St. - Charlie Stumpf had made this note: "1913 J. J. Newberry Co. opened "five and dime" store on Centre Street. (store closed Dec. 31, 1985) after 72 yrs. Of service to community. Dιcor never changed much. Plain wooden floor. My favorite spot in store the candy counter. Sold by the pound, also pretzels and potato chips. Saved pennies for the post-Easter sale of jelly beans which went for five cents a pound."
Nocchi's Variety Store - Centre & South Streets (Nicky Nocchi, proprietor; candy, sundries, and later a pharmacy) (From Barbara Nocchi Adomshick: His first business venture began in 1939 as Nicky Nocchi's hot dog store in a building which was owned at the time by Marchetti's on the east side of Centre Street between Luzerne and South Streets. It was here that five cent hot dogs, penny cigarettes, ice cream and onc-cent candy were the main fare. His second move was in the building formerly known as Nassan's. Because of his expanding business and his desire to have a larger store, he purchased his final location in 1951 at the corner of Centre and South Streets. A soda fountain, jewelry, cosmetics, children's clothing and cards were added as a few more offerings of the store. A Lucky Bucks Club was born in the mid-1950s. For each purchase, one was able to play a lucky bucks number and had a chance to win money. Everyone in the family at one point or another had the opportunity to work in the store.) (Please also see a special page on Nocchi's Variety Store.)
Paul Perun, Confectionery store - corner Main and Fern Sts. (from Billy Kuklis, 1932 FPD Ball program)
Rocky Parris Candies - School & Walnut Streets, later moved to Ridge St.
Russell's Ice Cream - Centre St.
Sugar Bowl - 535 Centre St. - Costas Christake, chef (from Charlie Gallagher, 1934 document)
Stephen Swisko - Freeland. Manufacturer of S.&S. Celebrated Ice Cream. (Source: Catholic Reference Book and Parish Register, circa 1924)
Doc Welsh's - 722 Centre St. - (Fabulous sundaes! Best CMPs in town. - CT) (Reminiscences from Marion Denion, who not only hung out there but also worked there: Saw your little comment about Rose and Doc's ice cream and the best CMP's in town, and I have to respond. I worked for Rose and Doc all my high school years and made those CMP's (still making them for my family, one of Grandmas specialties!). Rose and Doc were two great people to work for and I was mixing work and pleasure since it was the hangout for all my high school crowd. Doc tolerated us. Rose was like a Mother Hen and enjoyed hearing all our antics. But she also did not put up with any nonsense.
As for (as you call it) Doc's place, it was really Rose's to me and I guess all our crowd. She was really in charge. As for kids from the different schools, we had some from all 4 schools hang out at Rose's, even though we thought of Russell's as Foster, and Woodie's as St. Ann's and MMI.
As for the name, the sign out front said "Logan's". That was the name of the ice cream they sold. No cigarettes or magazines. There were a little glass case with candy and a coke bottle dispenser at the end of the counter. I think there were only 3 of those dark wood booths. One to the left in the back and 2 on the right. No pinball machine.
As for when Rose's was open, she was open every evening. I always worked 7 to 11 PM, I think just on the week end unless she needed me for an activity night. She always gave me off for the basketball games on Friday nights. They opened during the day and would close if things were slow or if they had other things to do.)
Woodie's - 632 Centre St. (Elwood Whitehead, with brother Robert "Pal" who later took over the business) - Succeeded Fairchild's Luncheonette and ice cream parlor at this address - Soda / ice cream fountain and luncheonette - Later it was reported that Elwood Whitehead opened another ice cream parlor and luncheonette "on the rivertown's main street" (from Ed Merrick, 1957 article) (Really good CMPs and banana splits - CT)
Confectioneries, ice cream, candy stores listed in directories and maps, 1900-1940
1900-1901 city directory
Confectioners and candy stores in business listings:
Bonner, Annie, confectionery, Centre
Campbell, Matthew, grocer and confectionery, 112 Centre
Capace, Nicholas, confectioner and barber, 81 Centre
Keiper, William, confectionery, Centre
Laubach, D. C., confectionery, 22 Centre
Leichtman, M., confectionery and cigars, Centre
McHugh, Will., confectionery, 156 Centre
Merkt, M., cigars, fruits, candies, pipes, etc. (wholesale and retail), 19 Centre
Miller, Fred., confectionery, 53 Front
Rippel, J., baker and confectionery, Centre
Rogan, John, confectionery, 81 Centre
Schach, Anton, confectionery and cigars, 30 Centre
1912 telephone directory
Golamis Leon & Co, Confectioners Centre
Merkt M, Confectioner Centre
Pelot Mike, Confectioner Centre & Carbon
Polcha Andrew E, Jr, Confectr 146 S Centre
1917 telephone directory
Confectioners and candy stores in business listings:
Fox, J. & Sons, Bakery & Confectioners - 612 Centre
Fox, J. & Sons, Wholesale Bakery & Confectioners - 435 Centre
Confectioners, retail in general listings, 1917
Candyland - Main & Centre
Capece, Mrs. Caroline - 451 Centre
Fox, J. & Sons, Bakery & Confectionery - 612 Centre
Gallagher, Dan, Confectionery Store - 521 N. Centre
Gallagher, James, Confectioner - 616 Centre
Feaster, Oliver, Conf. - 901 Centre
Kasarda, John, Conf. - 338 Centre
Leppler, A., Cigars & Confectionery - 710 Centre
Merkt, M., Conf. - 606 Centre
Pelot, Mike, Conf. - Centre & Carbon
1921-22 city directory
Confectioners and candy stores in business listings:
Fairchild, Walter H., ice cream manufacturers, 606 Centre
Confectioners, wholesale in business listings, 1921-1922
Merkt, Michael 706 Centre
Confectioners, retail in business listings, 1921-1922
Borawski, Joseph 343 Centre
Candyland Centre cor Main
Capece, Caroline 451 Centre
Fox, J. & sons 435-612 Centre
Kasarda, John 330 Centre
Kisner, Jesse E. 710 Centre
Learn, Charles 606 and 630 Centre
Machella, John 305 Centre
Mulhearn, Joseph L. 637 Centre
Pallo, John 439 Centre
Pelot, Anthony 222 Washington
Rushalk, Michael 644 Fern
Senick, Joseph 319 Centre
Smith, William 435 Alvin
1928-29 city directory
Confectioners and candy stores in business listings:
Confectioners - Wholesale
Paris Wholesale Candies - 716 Ridge
Confectioners - Retail
Fairchild, W. H. Candy Co. - 712 Center
Confectionery and Ice Cream - Retail
Capece, Caroline - 451 Center
Chuhka, Adam - 343 Center
Fairchild, Howard - 606 Center
Fairchild, W. H. Candy Co. - 712 Center
Nocchi, Amedo - 439 Center
1940 city directory
Confectioners and candy stores in business listings:
Capece, Caroline - 451 Centre
Fairchild, Elwood H. - 632 Centre
Hazle Milk & Ice Cream Co. - 530 Centre
Krone, Grover A. - 500 Johnson
Nocchi, Nicholas E. - 439 Centre
Russell Ice Cream Co. - 623 Centre
Sandora, Jos. - 430 Centre
Saras, Louis - 535 Centre
Seitzinger's Drug Store - 608 Centre
Yaskewich, Wm. - 441 Ridge