When you look back nostalgically at a period of time, it’s always the small businesses that tend to lend that period dating of small town Americana. This set of polaroids is all about signs, but the store fronts they grace say more about the economy of today through the lens of yesteryear.
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Tags: In the News
Are you referring to the fact that small local businesses like Gregory’s Store are being replaced by megamarkets and box stores along clogged streets within overdeveloped and congested suburban sprawl? Do you think 50 years from now people will look back and find photos of Home Depot and Wal-Mart charming?
All these small businesses that are getting demolished and replaced won’t be affected by the mayor’s and The Hours (Reilly’s) demo delay ordinance - hey, they don’t matter, they are less than 100 years old.
took this from the blog, I think it was an Hour article
The shelves were sparse, the mood somber.
Gregory’s Store, an institution in the Cranbury section of Norwalk since 1844, closed its doors for the final time on Monday afternoon. It had been one of Norwalk’s longest-running businesses.
So sad about Gregory’s store - I was in there Monday around 1pm, and it was like being at a wake - family shopped there for more than 30 years, they were always a nice place to go to with excellent selection.
A lot of people living in the area will miss it, and many of the people who have only gone to the big box stores will not know what they are missing.
I try to go to the small stores here for Hardware, and Meats and things like that, for the personal service and quality. They cost a little more, but I figure that it is a little less money going toward a huge paycheck and bonus package for a CEO who will take millions even when a major company is losing money.
RIP Gregory’s Store - who will be next? Who is left?
The Market Basket on Cove Ave. is still around, no telling how much longer. The gentrification of SONO is bound to creep over the bridge sooner or later into East Norwalk. And, someone will eventually figure out that the Ludlow Square shopping slum owned by the Penny’s Diner folks (also the proud owners of that empty lot at East Ave. and I96) will make a perfect location for a grocery store.
I don’t know how true it is but I heard that the brothers that ran Gregory’s store, were always fighting with each other. It seems that they could never agree on anything. Maybe this also had something to do with it?
Most likely another bank will go in there. Banks seem to love to breed in Norwalk.
Survival of the fittest
Great 1957 Belvedere in the first picture. My family had a bigger-then-the QE2 1957 Desoto with fins up to there and seats so wide you couldn’t reach over and unlock the passenger door from the driver’s side. It was like driving your living room. Great car…50 years old this year and I’ll bet that would count as historic, eh Mr. Reilly?
Did I see the Dickmobile in one of those shots?
You mean his historic ole ‘chevy? Man, that thing is more historic than 93 East Ave and 124 East Ave combined - should be on the National Register!!!
Do you remember when the Market Basket was called the Leader?
Penny’s first luncheonette was located in the Ludlow Shopping Center…and Penny’s Diner is where Shore Points Diner used to be.
Arcudi’s Pizza was Venezia pizza.
Before Howard Johnson’s at East Avenue/turnpike there was an eating place called Yankee Doodle. I actually remember eating a sausage and pepper grinder when I was there with my parents.
#11 - And chasing the ducks around. We used to sit at the picnic tables.
I do have a vague recollection of ducks. Round picnic tables with umbrellas in the back.
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/256984
So what is the best pizza in Norwalk?
