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PLEASE CLICK ON THIS LINK TO GO TO THE UPDATED PAGE.

You're welcome to consult this page, but please also see the revised (revision is in progress 1-30-10) page which has more information.

FREELAND BUSINESSES, 1940S TO 1970S AND LATER

This list began as my brother and I were sitting up late one night during a visit to Freeland, and we decided to see how many businesses we could remember from the 1950s-1970s. More recently, it's been revised with input from Charlie Reczkowski and various Freelanders and e-mail correspondents and so I've extended the scope back to the 1940s, and slowly there are also newer businesses being added to the list, although I haven't done that in any systematic way yet, so only a few newer businesses are shown at this point. It's a patchy and extremely casual list, and while many of these businesses are gone, some of them are still / currently in operation. Revisions to the list are ongoing. Additions and corrections would be very welcome; please send e-mail.

This is really just sort of a growing checklist, and as I get more information about these various businesses and organizations I'm adding it to my other project files. For now I'm growing this list so that I have "placemarkers" for these various businesses in my files. It would be helpful, for example, to know when these various businesses began.

I've put the entries in alphabetical order within each category. If we couldn't remember a name or location, I've left a blank line to be filled in later (hopefully). If anybody reading this has any pre-1970 phone books or other publications containing business listings from Freeland, I'd appreciate hearing about them. Thanks. Enjoy the lists.

This information is only as reliable as my memory and those of my correspondents. If you see something you think or know is incorrect, please send me that information and I'll post it on this page. Many thanks.

Note:  This is a long page, and so there are "TOP OF PAGE" links here and there.

When I was a kid in Freeland in the 1950s, there were small family-owned food stores all over town, in addition to a couple of supermarkets (Genetti's and the A&P). Nearly all have disappeared, but a few such as the Corner Market are still in operation, and most are still remembered around town.

SUPERMARKETS

A & P - Front & Washington Sts. (previously at old PP&L site on Centre & Walnut Sts.)
Genetti's - Centre St.

______ - South & Green Sts.
Acme Food - Centre & South Sts.
American Food Store - Centre St., between South & Main Sts.
Andy's - near MMI, in the alley off Washington St. (?)
Brantz's - Fern, near Grega's, between South and Main Sts.
Brueningson's - Birkbeck & Walnut Sts.
Joe Chaykowski's - Centre St., between Carbon & Luzerne Sts.
George Cheppa's - Walnut St.
Corner Store (C. & M. Reczkowski) - Ridge & Main Sts.
Crone's - Birkbeck & Johnson Sts.
Juri Drauschak's - Schwabe St.
Evancho's - Vine & Walnut Sts.
Faye's - Centre St., between Luzerne & Carbon Sts.
Gallagher's - Centre & Luzerne Sts.
Haines' - corner of Washington & Carbon Sts.
Herkalo's - Center & Chestnut Sts.
Hoffman's - Walnut St.
Kleitz's (? - or related to Kleitz by marriage) - South St., near Vine St.
Adam Latz' - Ridge St., above St. Ann's
Lechak's - Cedar & South Sts.
Lenny Lenhart's - Center St., just below South St.
Merrick's - Centre & Luzerne Sts.
Neune's - Ridge St. below Luzerne St.
Billy Nitka's - South St., between Fern and Vine Sts. (previously at several other locations)
Olear's - Centre St., between Luzerne & South Sts.
O'Maska's (?) - Ridge & Walnut Sts.
Opilla's - Luzerne St.
Ostroff's - Centre St., between Luzerne & Carbon Sts.
Palya's - Centre St., between Front & Walnut Sts.
Quinn's - Washington St., below Carbon St.
Ravina's - Ridge & Carbon Sts.
Reese's - corner of Centre & Chestnut Sts.
Repetz's - corner of Ridge & Walnut Sts.
Spock's (John Spock, Sr.) - Birkbeck St. at Alvin

SPECIALTY FOODS
Thanks to M. Bobby and J. Gabuzda for additions and corrections to this list.__________ - corner of Centre & Chestnut Sts.
Andy's Meat Market - 615 South St., between Centre & Washington Sts., run for a long time by Andy Hasara, still open part-time, famous for their kielbasa
Bott's (butcher, sold chicken fingers, other meat products)- Walnut St.
Capice's (candy store) - Centre St., just below South St.
Carr's Bottling Works (soda) - Freeland/White Haven Highway
Donut World - Centre St., between Luzerne and South Sts.
Feist's (confectioners) - Front St., between Centre & Ridge Sts.
Fox & Sons Bakery - Centre St., between Main & Front Sts.
Freeland Dairy (milk, delivered to homes and stores) - Crescent Rd.?
Gabuzda's - 899 Centre, between Walnut & Chestnut Sts.
Gabuzda's Meat Shop - Centre St., between Front & Main Sts.
Glen Almus Dairy - Pond Creed, Rte. 940, east of Freeland
Hazle Milk - Centre St., between Main & South Sts.
Pete Kundra's Store - Centre St.,
Clem Lekitski's Meat Market - Birkbeck St.
Liquor Store - Centre & Carbon Sts., between Luzerne & Carbon Sts.
Mom's (candy store) - Centre St., between Luzerne & Carbon Sts.
Nicky Nocchi's hot dog store - Centre St., between Luzerne & South Sts.
Nocchi's (candy, sundries) - Centre & South Sts.
Palski's Meat Shop - Front St., between Centre & Washington Sts.
Rocky Parris Candies - School & Walnut Sts., later moved to Ridge St.
Pinjar's Dairy & Bottling Plant - Washington St., near Carbon St.
Rodzevich's - Centre St., between Luzerne & Carbon Sts. (was this the chicken store?)
Sharp's Bakery - across from Foster School, where Citerio's is now; also, they had an outlet store on Front St., between Centre & Washington Sts.
Silvasi's Meat Market - Centre St., between Luzerne & South Sts.
Viola's (bakery? confectionary?) - Centre St., between South & Luzerne Sts.
Ye Olde Bake Shop - Centre & Main Sts. (1981)

RESTAURANTS, FOUNTAINS, HANGOUTS

Balas's - Freeland/White Haven Highway
Brazina's Poolroom - Centre St., between South & Main Sts.
Chonko's Cigars - Centre St., between Carbon & Luzerne Sts.
The Coffee Pot - Centre St., between Main & South Sts.
Cozy Corner (a.k.a. Ratsie's) - Ridge & North (?) Sts.
Cunningham's Restaurant - Centre St., between Main & South Sts.
Doc Welch's - Centre St., between Front & Walnut Sts.
Dot's - Centre St., between South & Luzerne Sts.
Fairchild's Luncheonette - Centre St., between Front & Main Sts.
Fairchild's News Stand - Centre St., between Front & Walnut Sts.
Famalette's Pizza - Centre St., between South & Main Sts.
Gus Spiel's - Centre St., between Front & Main Sts.
Mulhearn's Restaurant & Bar - Centre St., between Front & Main Sts.
Noke's - Centre St., below Front St.
Northside Pizzeria - Centre St., between Luzerne & Carbon Sts.
Northside Restaurant - Centre St., between Luzerne & South Sts.
Russell's Ice Cream Shop - Centre St., between Front & Main Sts.
Sophie's Restaurant - Centre St., between South & Luzerne Sts.
The Sugar Bowl (Gus Stenopolis?) - Centre St., between Main & South Sts.
Woody's - (formerly Fairchild's) Centre St., just below Front St.
_______ - Ridge St., below Main St. (next to Corner Store?)

Freeland Brewery (beer) - Fern St., between South & Main Sts.
Mattavi Bros. (Pete and Joe Mattavi) - Pine and Chestnut Sts. (they also delivered)
Paul Yori - Walnut St. (until around 1961?)

Thanks to A. Mattavi Evans, M. Farina, B. & J. Kulig, E. Cheppa and E. Barna for adding information to this section!

Al's Blue Pines - Freeland/White Haven Highway (now Jimbo's Party Beverages?)
Balon's Bar & Grill - 536 (or 538?) Centre St.
Belekanich's (former schoolhouse?) - Ridge St., between South & Luzerne Sts.
Bessie Boyle's - South St., between Centre & Washington Sts.
Big Bill's Bar - Front St., between Centre & Washington Sts.
Cheppa's Cafe - Centre St., between South & Luzerne Sts.
Clover Bar - corner of Luzerne & Ridge Sts. (I'm told that in the 1930s people used to bring their cows to graze in the lot that the Clover Bar was later built on - grazing on clover, maybe?)
Dovan's - Centre St., between South & Luzerne Sts.
Drozic's - Ridge & South Sts.
Eagle's Club - Centre St.
Eddie's Bar and Restaurant - 421 Centre St. (1975-1989)
E.J.'s - Centre & Luzerne Sts. (formerly Kostick's)
Bubsy Ferdinand's - 977 Walnut St.
Genie Boyle's - Washington & Main Sts.
Grega's - Fern St., between South & Main Sts.
Jakie Mattis' - Luzerne & Centre Sts.
Kostick's - Centre & Luzerne Sts. (later became E.J.'s)
Molly Mulhearn's - Front St., between Centre & Washington Sts.
Muskevich's - Ridge St. below Luzerne St.
Pasternak's - Centre St., between Luzerne & South Sts.
Ravina's - Centre St., between South & Luzerne Sts.
Ravina's Cafe - 449 Ridge St. (until the mid-1960s)
Resuta's & Machella's - Centre & Carbon Sts.(formerly Miner's Restaurant and Miller Hotel?)
Rocco's - Centre & South (?) Sts.
Rocky Amentler's - corner of South & Ridge Sts.
The Rustic Lounge - Centre St., between Luzerne & Carbon Sts., formerly owned by Jabbo Valkusky
Sledgeski's - South St., between Centre & Washington Sts.
Surf Club (Cherone's) - Ridge St.
Tip-Top Bar - corner of School & Hemlock Sts.
Tony Nocchi's - Schwabe & Ridge Sts.
Tony Nowak's - Birkbeck St.
Trudy Cozel's - Centre St., between Main & South Sts.
Turri's - Ridge St., below Carbon St.
Ursta's - 955 Ridge St.

CLOTHING STORES

Thanks to A. Mattavi Evans for adding to this section.

Alice's Hat Shop - Centre St., between Front & Main Sts.
Army-Navy Store - Centre St., between Main & Front Sts.
Max Bresbris' Clothing - Centre St., between Main & Front Sts.
Miss Carpenter's Ladies' Lingerie - Centre St., between Front & Main Sts.
Charlie Coxe's (men's clothing, recently closed) - Centre St., below Front St.
Chenetz Men's Store - Centre St., between Main & South Sts.
Emile Deddy's (tailor, men's wear shop) - Centre St., between South & Main Sts.
Delvecchio's Tailor Shop - Centre St., between Main & South Sts.
Dominic's Children's Clothing - Centre St., between Main & Front Sts.
Goldstein's Clothing - Centre St., between Main & Front Sts.
Mary Johnson's Shop (women's hats, etc.) - Walnut St., down from Borough Bldg.
Helen Kletchko's Dress Shop - Centre St., between Front & Walnut Sts.
Nassan's (men's clothing) - Centre St., between South & Main Sts.
Newberry's (clothing, toys, household goods) - Centre St., between South & Main Sts.
Novelty Dress Store (Lucy Fort) - Centre St., between Main & South Sts.
Joe Quinn's Dress Shop - Centre St., between Front & Main Sts.
Racussin's (men's, women's, children's clothing) - Centre St., between South & Main Sts.
W. T. Grant's (women's clothing, fabric, home goods) - Centre St., between South & Main Sts.
_______ (milliner's) - Centre St., between Front & Walnut Sts. (near Fairchild's)
Veraldi's Tailor Shop - Centre St., between Main & Front Sts.

Allen's Shoe Store - Centre & Main Sts.
Belezza's Shoes - Centre St., between Front & Main Sts.

DeMelfi's - Centre St., between Luzerne & South Sts.
Dinovich's - Centre St., between Front & Main Sts.
Ferrari's - Centre St., between Luzerne & South Sts. (?)
Greary's - Centre St., between Front & Walnut Sts.
Lutz's - 428 Centre St. (until the late 1960s)
Williams' - Centre St., between Carbon & Luzerne Sts.

Bachman's - Centre St., between Front & Main Sts.
Bertha's Gift Shop (jewelry, fabric, draperies) - Centre & Main Sts.
Chaskin Jewelers - Centre St. (had the clock that lit up at night???)
Giovannuci's (costume jewelry and knick-knacks) - Centre St., between Carbon & Luzerne Sts.

Ralph Barrett - South St., between Centre & Washington Sts.
Bataro - Front St., between Centre & Washington Sts.
Neely Carey - Centre St., between Front & Walnut Sts.
Della Croce (was this Frank "Birdy" Della Croce?) - Centre St., between Luzerne & South Sts.
Pat Difeo - Luzerne St., between Vine & Fern Sts.
Squint Evans - bottom of Birkbeck St.
Gordy Moore (still working, I hear) - __________
Joseph Rish - Main St., between Centre & Washington Sts. (near Nemo's TV repair)
Phil Petrilli - __________
Sal Petrilli - Centre St., between Main & South Sts.
Vince Petrilli (and before him, his father) - Centre St., between Carbon & Luzerne Sts.
Pollack's - Centre St., between South & Luzerne Sts.
Andy Prokopovich - Centre St., between Luzerne & South Sts.

Leona _______ - Centre St., just below Luzerne St.
_______ (Greco's??) - Centre St., between Carbon & Luzerne Sts.
Sue Pelot - Carbon St., between Centre & Washington Sts.
Bonevich's - Vine St., between Main & School Sts.

____ Bobbin Works - Washington St., below Carbon St.
Dress Factory - (no longer there, burned down) - Birkbeck St., near waterworks
____ Factory (S. Pavlick - made jackets and shirts for MacGregor and London Fog) - Center & Carbon Sts.
Major Shirt Factory - Cunnius St. (previously Bressler's cigar factory)
Ambra Manufacturing Co. (managed by Irving and Phillip Abrams) - Centre St. near Chestnut
Freeland Manufacturing Co. (formerly Freeland Overall; Irving Abrams bought this factory from the Oberanders, managed it in the 1960s?) - Ridge St., below Carbon St.
Freeland Shirt Co. (owned and managed by Phillip and Simon Abrams) - across from Freeland High School
_______ (Joseph Berta) - Alvin & Dewey (?) Sts.
Garland - South St., near Public Park
Nautilus - South St., near Public Par (now Garland?)
Discon Steel - South St., near Public Park (now Garland?)
Tappan - South St., near Public Park
Silk Mill (pattern works?) - Foster St., between Birkbeck & Pine Sts.
Silk Mill - corner of Luzerne & Ridge Sts.
Silk Mill - Ridge St., between Luzerne & South Sts.
_______ (M. Pavlick?) - ?
_______ - Ridge & South Sts.
_______ - South St., between Centre & Ridge Sts. (behind Nocchi's, formerly Rialto Theatre, was owned by John McGarey some years ago)

Dr. John DellaCroce, dentist - Centre St., just below South St.
Dr. Joseph DellaCroce, dentist - Centre St., above First National Bank
Dr. Soltis, dentist -
Dr. Dragowski - Centre & Front Sts.
Dr. Feussner -
Dr. Gabriel Martyak - Chestnut & Washington Sts.
Dr. Gallagher - Centre St.
M. Ferry's Drug Store - Centre St., between South & Main Sts.
Nicky Nocchi's - Centre & South Sts.
Seitzinger's Drug Store - Centre St., between Main & Front Sts.
Stanley Verkusky's Drug Store - Centre St., between Front & Main Sts.

Cotterall's - Birkbeck St., near Front St.
Jurica's - Centre St., between Luzerne & South Sts.
McGraw's - Washington St.
McHugh's -
R. J. McNulty's - Centre St., between Luzerne & South Sts.
Nagle's - Birkbeck St.
V. Petrilli's - Centre & Carbon Sts.
Wackley's - Centre St., between Luzerne & Carbon Sts.

Thanks to A. Mattavi Evans for adding to this section.

Al's Texaco - Ridge St., below Carbon St.
Balas's (new tires) - Freeland/White Haven highway
Hugh Boyle's - Washington St. (between Main and Front Sts.)
Fairway Chevrolet -
Feussner's Ford - South St., near the Public Park
Heller's Exxon Centre & Hazle Sts.
Herbener's -
Kopski's -
Jim Lutz, Atlantic Gas -
Maury's Gas Station - Centre St., between Front & Walnut Sts.
Medash's (mechanics, car repair) -
Morgan's (gas)
O'Donnell's (mechanics) - Carbon St.
Olear's Little Foreign Car Shop - South St., on the mountain road
Perkosky's (used tires) - Fern & South Sts.
Toots Pollack's - South & Centre Sts.
Poppalardo's - Centre St., between Carbon & Luzerne Sts.
Tancin's (John Tancin & sons, recapping, vulcanizing, tire repair, gas station - Texaco) - Centre & Carbon Sts.
Tancin's Auto Supply (John Tancin) - corner of Centre & Carbon Sts.
Tancin's Tires (Steve Tancin - used tires, tire repair) - Carbon St., beyond Fern St.
Zip Simko's Sunoco - Washington St., near Main St.
_______ - South St., near Hemlock (?) St.

Citizen's Bank - Centre St., between Main & Front Sts.
1st National Bank - Centre & Front Sts.

Bzdil's Florist Shop (Tom Bzdil) - Centre St., between South & Luzerne Sts.
Castor's (near Fairchild's?) - Centre St., between Front & Walnut Sts.
Fairchild's - Centre St.
Fedorshak's Florist Shop (Ed Fedorshak) - Alvin St.
Lenny Stewart's - Centre St., between Main & South Sts.

A. J. Sholtis Insurance - Main St., between Centre and Washington Sts.
ABC TV - Main St., between Centre and Washington Sts.
Amentler's (automotive and lawn equipment?) - Ridge St., between South & Luzerne Sts.
Berger's - Birkbeck St., near Walnut St.
Bonomo's - Centre St., between South & Luzerne Sts.
Cashimir's Paint Store - Centre & Front Sts.?
Center Electric - Centre St., across from Doc Welsh's between Front and Walnut Sts. (owned and operated by Bernard Gallagher and Peter Zarosky in the 1940s-1950s)
Johnny Citro (tombstones)
Cosgrove's Photography (Max Cosgrove) - Centre St., below Front St.
Eldora's Dry Cleaners - Centre St., below Front St.
Fairchild's Ceramics - Centre St., between Front & Walnut Sts.
Family Fun Arcade - Centre & South Sts.
Feussner's Hardware - Centre St., between Main & Front Sts., next to Woody's
Flash Variety Shop - Centre St., between Main and South Sts.
Freeland Brewery - Fern St., between South & Main Sts.
Freeland Lumber Yard - Carbon St. (?)
Gaza's Furniture Store - Centre St., between Luzerne & South Sts.
The Gift Shop - Main St., between Centre and Washington Sts.
Griffith's Lumber Company - Carbon St., near Adams St.
H. J. Chemical Company ("Pappy" Halko) - Centre St., below Carbon St.
Herring's Sporting Goods - Freeland/White Haven highway
Vic Karpowich Construction -
Laundermat (Laundromat?) - Centre & South Sts.
Lentz's Lumber Yard - _______
Lindsey's Hardware - Front St., between Centre & Washington Sts.
Marchetti's Coin Shop - Centre St., between South & Luzerne Sts.
Marchetti's Furniture - Centre St., between South & Luzerne Sts.
Marchetti's Plumbing - Centre St., between South & Luzerne Sts.
Martin O'Donnell, Insurance - Centre St., between Front & Main Sts.
Charles Maso Masonry - South St. at Walnut?
Maso's Plumbing -
Charles McHugh, Insurance - Schwabe or Birkbeck?
Johnny Mehan (tombstones)
Mulhearn's Fuel - Centre St., below Carbon St.
Nationwide Insurance (Al Urenovich) - Centre St., between Main & Front Sts.
Nemo's Radio Repair - Centre St., between Luzerne & South Sts.
Nemo's TV Repair - Main St., between Centre & Washington Sts.
O'Donnell's Livery Stable - Centre St., between Luzerne & South Sts.
Pignitary's Paint Store - Main St., between Centre & Ridge Sts.
Pitman's Furniture - Centre St., between South & Main Sts.
Pitman's Furniture - Freeland/White Haven highway
Poleri's Construction (Vito Poleri) - Ridge St., between South & Luzerne Sts.
Sarosky's Radio Repair - Centre St., between Front & Walnut Sts.
State Farm Insurance (Mickey Berta) - Freeland/White Haven highway
Stuntz's TV and Music - Centre St., between Walnut & Chestnut Sts.
The Treasure Shop - Centre St., between Main and South Sts.
Western Auto (Steve Kistulentz) - Centre & Main Sts.
Charles Wolfe, Insurance - Centre St., between Front & Main Sts.
Zimmerman's Cards, Papers, etc. - Centre St., between Front & Walnut Sts.

Refowich Theatre - Centre & Main Sts.
Rialto Theatre - South St., between Centre & Ridge Sts. (formerly Timony Hall)
St. Mary's School Auditorium - "The Greeks", Fern St., between Main & School Sts.

2nd Ward Park (swings) - below Schwabe St.
4th Ward Park (swings, sliding board, picnic facilities, baseball field) - between Walnut & Foster Sts.?
Little League Field (baseball field) - Luzerne & Vine Sts.
Public Park (swings, sliding board, merry-go-round, dance hall, picnic facilities) - Front St., between Washington & Birkbeck Sts.
R & R Roller Rink (run by Mills; former factory) - Ridge & South Sts.
Rossi's Ice Skating Rink - Carbon St., near Adams St.
St. Mary's Grove (dance hall, picnic facilities) - St. Ann's Drive
St. Michael's Bowling Alley (bowling alley, dance hall, pirohi sales) - Fern & Carbon Sts.
St. Michael's Park (swings, sliding board, breezeway, picnic facilities) - Luzerne St., between Fern & Vine Sts.
Tigers' Field (baseball field) - Hazle St., at south end of Centre St.
Victory Grove - (park with dancehall) Freeland-Sandy Run crossroads
YMCA (basketball court also used for dances, bowling alley, meeting rooms) - Front St., between Washington & Birkbeck Sts.

American Legion - Centre St., between Front & Walnut Sts.
Boy Scouts (led by various troop leaders) -
Eagles (?) -
Elks - Centre St.
Girls' Loyalty Club - Walnut St. at School St.
Girl Scouts (met in YMCA, led by various troop leaders) -
Knights of Columbus (met in A & P building?) - Washington & Front Sts.
Moose Lodge - Centre St., between Carbon & Luzerne Sts.?
St. Ann's Band (practice hall) - Ridge St., between South & Luzerne Sts.
Tigers (?) -
VFW - Centre St., between Carbon & Luzerne Sts.

Daniel Coxe Memorial School (DCM) - Chestnut & Washington Sts.
Foster Township School (grade school and high school?) - Rte. 940, near end of Fern St.
Freeland High School - Johnson & Dewey Sts.
Mining & Mechanical Institute (MMI) ("prep" high school) - Centre St., below Carbon St.
St. Anne's School (grade and high schools) - Chestnut & Ridge Sts.
St. Mary's School (grade school) - Fern St., between Main & School Sts.

Pennsylvania Power & Light Company (PP&L) - Centre & Walnut Sts.
Phone company (switching station) - Centre St., below Carbon St.
Phone company (operators) - Centre & Front Sts.
Railroad stations - off Centre St., below Carbon St.

Boyko's Hall - Main St., Upper Lehigh
Highland Hall - Highland road
Krell's Hall - corner of Front & Washington Sts.
Public Park Pavilion - Public Park, east Front St.
St. John's Church Hall (the old hall, was formerly the old church) - Ridge & Luzerne Sts.
St. Michael's Bowling Alley - Fern & Carbon Sts.

Adam Latz's grocery truck
Jackie Coachie - North Side
Colangelo's grocery truck (from Hazleton)
Hazleton Dairy truck/wagon (had horses)
Mr. Donato (rag collector)
Mattavi Bros. beer distributors
Ofstroff's grocery truck
Sharp's bakery truck
Tancin's bakery truck
[Popcorn man] (also sold candy apples)
[Soft ice cream truck]