In Downtown Allentown's commercial years, stores extended 3 blocks out from Hamilton Street. The only remaining remnant of that era is the parking meters, which apparently haven't noticed that the stores have been gone now for over 30 years.
On 8th Street, also a couple blocks off Hamilton, was the Nagy Novelty Company. The dictionary defines novelty as a small, often cheap, cleverly made article, usually for amusement. The Nagys' had thousands of them, floor to ceiling. There were little jokes and gags, sometimes risque, passed around parties in the 40's and 50's. When you pulled " Miss Lola, The Snappy Bubble Dancer" leg's out, your finger got snapped.
The Nagys', an ancient father, son and dog, stayed open till around 1980. I was never sure which one was the son. To me, as an aficionado of the old and curious, the store was a shrine. Items which they sold for a few cents, now sell on ebay for many dollars. They manufactured their own greeting cards. Shown here is the front and inside of an embossed card probably dating back to the 1920's.
Reprinted from Dec. 23, 2008
Reprinted from Dec. 23, 2008
I see no way that our cities will ever be as they were in the 60s, and 70's . I do see similar cities in watching travelogues of Russia, eastern europe and some other places. Many of the rural places seem much like the U.S. in the 50's. Will they eventually end up the same as here? ,We were much more self sufficient, not as wealthy with material goods, but less stressed.
ReplyDeleteThere are beautiful vibrant midsized cities, Allentown is just no longer one of them. The people on the W.End look to LMT for business commerce and services.
ReplyDeleteNo one who can afford an option sends their children into the ASD.
Stick a fork in it.