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From Manupella's Hardware, to Verdile's, to Snow Man
(the original gourmet ice cream shop), businesses in
Lansingburgh have been blessed with the loyalty and
support of the community over many decades of operation.
As anyone in business would tell you, that's quite
an accomplishment.
I first spoke with Henry Donnelly of Henry's on Fifth.
In September of 1970, my cousin Frank Ciccarelli and
I (a couple of South Troy boys), stepped off the bus
at 116th and Second Avenue for our first day at Catholic
Central High School. There in front of us was Henry's.
That was the first day of many in which Henry would
sling an egg for me.
VC: How long have you been open, Henry? I heard you
flipped eggs for the Freihofer brothers?
HD: Very funny. I bought my first place in Lansingburgh
in 1958 below the old Phoenix Hotel at Second and 116th.
I'm in my 45th year here.
VC: What made you open up in the 'Burgh?
HD: It was a great location with all the foot traffic
from the many businesses along First and Second avenues.
Plus all the students (CCHS) used to get dropped off
right in front from the city bus line. I bought the
place from my wife's uncle, who ran it for many years
before me. I moved to this place (118th and Fifth Avenue),
in 1973.
VC: What's the biggest change in the 'Burgh that you've
seen over the years?
HD: Many of the larger employers have left over time,
some of the old families have left, but I still have
my regulars who always come back.
VC: What would you like to see for the future of Lansingburgh?
HD: More businesses and to get some more of these roads
fixed.
VC: Any discounts in my future?
HD: Not a chance Vito.
Next I spoke to a newcomer to the Lansingburgh community,
Sean Meagher. Sean, along with his wife, Christine,
owns and operates "The Olde 499 House." This
historic building was built in 1760 and operated as
"The Old Daley Inn" for many years. This long-established
cause of car-stopping delicious odors reopened two years
ago and has since reclaimed its' title as "Lansingburgh's
5 Star."
VC: What made you invest in Lansingburgh, Sean?
SM: I was a salesman for Sysco Foods and the Old Daley
was a client of mine until they closed shop. I saw the
way the 'Burgh supported them. The up side to reopening
this place was tremendous along with the potential for
growth here. Plus, the history of this place and Lansingburgh
in general is amazing.
VC: How's the community been treating you since opening?
SM: Great. You should see the amount of 12182 zip codes
on our mailing list.
VC: What's in the future for the Olde 499?
SM: As you can see, I'm expanding, adding a banquet
room equipped with state of the art technology for conferences,
meetings and private parties.
I'm hoping to really put something back into the community
in the future.
VC: Sean, if you want to give something back, those
ribs smell good.
SM: Sure Vito. Will that be cash or credit? (0-2)
Next, I cruised down to Fifth and 110th St., to speak
with Dan Fiacco, co-owner (with brother Val) of The
Beverage Barn for the past 12 years. I got to know the
Fiacco brothers last year when I was soliciting free
water donations for our workers on Councilman Wojcik's
boulevard restoration project.
VC: What made you buy a business in Lansingburgh, Dan?
DF: Several things: good location on a main street with
a steady traffic flow. It's also a very friendly community
and the locals have been very supportive and loyal customers.
VC: Businesswise, how have things been for the Beverage
Barn?
DF: Thankfully steady throughout the year with a spike
during the warmer weather. We're staying competitive
by now stocking 300 different types of imported beer.
VC: Anything you'd like to see in the future here?
DF: I'd like to see 5th Ave get repaved and for this
area to keep growing with more businesses. It's been
encouraging with the growth I've seen in the past 2
years.
VC: How about me encouraging you for a discount?
DF: Sorry pal. Besides, you got an ID? (0-3)
Lastly, I visited a homegrown Burgh businessman, Christopher
Garabedian, haberdasher extraordinaire of "Christophers
Specialty Limited" on the corner of 112th and Sixth
Ave. First established in 1958 by his father and operated
by him for the past 20 years.
VC: How was it growing up in the Burgh?
CG: It was very much a closeknit community. Everyone
knew and respected each other. The streets and boulevards
were kept neat and clean by the city back then. There
was more of a sense of pride by the homeowners. The
streets were safe and things were more motivated by
family.
VC: Living here for the majority of your life, what's
the biggest change you've seen?
CG: We've gone in some areas from being an actual neighborhood
to just blocks of strangers. Some of the school children
passing by my shop are disruptive and destructive in
some cases. They just don't care it seems. Respect for
the neighborhood you live in should be a priority to
people.
VC: Anything make you enthusiastic about our future?
CG: That there seems to be a few people willing now
to improve quality of life issues. These are the things
that made people just up and leave the Burgh. The city
absolutely needs to put more money up here. Seeing things
get cleaned and spruced up a bit encourages me.
VC: Can I encourage you to give me a deal on that shirt
over there, Chris?
CG: Sure Vito. How about 100% of full price? ( 0-4 )
Well, I never did get a discount from anyone, but I
know one thing. Lansingburgh has proven that it supports
and welcomes businesses of all varieties. I encourage
anyone with an idea and a dream to come on up to the
Burgh and open shop. Chances are that 20 years from
now, someone will be writing about your Lansingburgh
business in this paper.
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