On The Sly

I don't know Foxy, but my daughter says we know each other...I knew a Gagnon from Fox Hill, but he was Gary.
What got me in here was the listing of businesses that everyone was talking about with fond memories and good feelings...a couple I can recall very clearly were already mentioned, like Lester's Market (where I fulfilled my fix for entire bags of red licorice for $.25), the entire two blocks from the west side of South Catherine Street kitty-korner from where Stewart's stands today, held Burdo's Market (the finest meat market there was at the time...chittlin's included. I learned meat cutting there in my teens!) Three doors down from Burdo's, in a tiny set-in light grey clapboard house was Frenchie's Barbershop, and next to him was a pharmacy; almost sure it was Condo's before they moved down to Montcalm. Across the street from them was my Dad's little place, The Book Nook, which later moved to Clinton Street (or vice versa).
Back to the other side of the street brought us to Leroy Tyndall's (Gulf?) service station...and of course, right there on the elbow of So. Catherine stood "our" spot...the Altamont.

Up in the Skyway Plaza was also King's Department Store...BIG, like Grandway up at Plattsburgh Plaza. Someone said that a pharmacy on Margaret burned down...nope. That was Meyer's Drug Store, now the JCEO.

I believe the building that burned down was The Rook, a great college bar for listening to The Stones and doing a little dancing on their hardwood floors. Art Blanchard was the owner...who I still see around supplying "something" to Eckard's, etc. (He owned two Great Danes at the time that were notorious for bowling over patrons in his bar...made for excitement...drunks and great danes! LOL!!

This was a great trip down a long-forgotten road that is still mostly vivid in the recall. Glad I stopped in...

See ya, whether I know you or not!
Jim Fleury

(Foxy's note: Nice to hear from you, Jim. The Gagnon you mentioned is my younger brother Gary, now known as Goose in these parts. I also have a sister, Darlene. I know the Fleury family well and I remember you as a kid.)

WOW! I know this post is late in regards to the original article but I just had to say this. I lived in Plattsburgh off and on from 1975-1980. I went to Oak Street Elem. My Grandfather was the GM at WPTZ at the time and I managed to eat my way into one of those Dixie Lee commercials-taped on the beach at the lake. My mother and I will never forget Dixie's! There are so many other points too...lol The next one is in reference to the way seeing A Christmas Story always takes me back to my childhood (although in the 70's) in Plattsburgh. That movie reminds me of the smells of Plattsburgh, my walk from our house on Champlain Street all the way to Oak Street (Bailey Ave was full this year so I got to go to OSE again)in deep snow. I was so young then that riding my bike was all I needed to know about where I was going and I have no recollection of street names except the ones I lived on...lol Anyone remember Carbur's and how long has it been gone? They had the BEST cheese soup I have ever tasted and to this day, I won't even try others because I know it won't be as good! I still make cheeseburgers on english muffins because of that place. I remember sledding down the hill at MacDonough Monument and my mom breaking her tailbone on a saucer sled. I remember dressing up in a homemade costume for the bicentennial and my picture for our class rendition of the Star Spangled Banner was on the news because mine was "the land of the free and the home of the brave". That isn't something you would get much of in a large town either. The smell of fresh fallen leaves reminds me of autumn and halloween there. I loved it. I haven't been back since 1982. Anyone else from the 70's? There was also this HUGE old victorian house that was across the street from WIRY and I think next to a car dealership...I always thought that place was so cool, even though it was creepy. I know I'll think of more but I'll let you chew on that for a while ;)

(Foxy's note: Mandy, thanks for sharing your memories. We'd love to get you back in Plattsburgh so you can see the changes. The Turner Mansion you refer to was an interesting place, and we heard rumors that it was haunted. I remember a man named Tiny Hare. Is that your family?)

I think the name of the bar before it was the Korina was Herbies. I think they had go go dancers too. I am not old enough to remember but think my parents told me that was what it was called. My mom grew up around the corner and I remember seeing my dad in a picture with the Herbies baseball uniform.

(Foxy's note: History shows that the original soda shop called the Penguin on Elizabeth Street became the Korina. Then, perhaps in the 1970s, it remained the Korina, but go-go girls were provided for entertainment. The original go-go girls gave way to strippers in the 1980s, perhaps. Herbie's was a strip club in the 1970's and it was located on Charlotte Street, several doors down from G&G Tire.)

The name of the drug store on the corner of Margaret & Cornelia Streets was Connor's Pharmacy - I can still taste the "frosty" that one of the Forgette boys made. My fondest memories of the south end is the hill where we would slide in the winter and try to get as close to the river as possible. If you didn't have a sled, you used a box or whatever was available. Even my grandkids had a ball on the "hill" during those long winters.
June
Newberry, SC

(Foxy's note: Thanks for the comments, June. I had forgotten about Connor's Pharmacy. You have a great memory!)

Foxy, Having spent most of my life on Fox Hill, I'm really enjoying reading your blogs. I have fond memories of playng baseball and ice-skating on the field behind OLV Church. I lived across the street on Waterhouse Street and used to wait for the school bell to ring and then walk out my door and still make it to class in plenty of time at OLVA. Particularly enjoyed "tarmac Jack" (mayor Jack Tyrell) living on my street. We got a fresh coat of tarmac every year whether we needed it or not. Only problem was, the curbs soon disappeared and had to be replaced every 8-10 years.

(Foxy's note: Yes, Fox Hill was a great place to grow up. We thought it was the best place in town. But "the Montcalmers" loved their neighborhood, and the "Crickers" loved their neighborhood. But Mayor Jack Tyrell made sure any extra tarmac was delivered to Fox Hill at the end of the day!.)

There was a neighborhood store between St. John St. and W. Elizabeth on So. Catherine called Rogers Store. My mother would purchase the fresh-ground, per-order hamburg. Great penny candy.

(Foxy's note: Good one, Elaine! We've all forgotten about that place. I think I was in that store only one time. Almost across the road from The Store Tavern, I believe.)

Has anyone mentioned Fountain and Lucas on Montcalm? Who could forget those steaks and those guys?

(Foxy's note: We miss Fountain & Lucas, that is for sure. I wasn't so crazy about those guys ... but, boy, could Gary and John cut those Delmonico steaks! The best!)

I remember when we north end guys got our hair cut at Golden's barbershop on Lafayette St near Bailey. Other bygone businesses from the north end were Baker Lasonde Lumber on Boynton, Lagier Movers and DeCarlo Plumbing on Montcalm and Coryers Esso on Margaret. Many might remember Angelos Bakery on Margaret St, but what pharmacy was across the street where the government center now stands. It burned down many moons ago.

Bill - the auto parts store you're looking for... ideal auto was carl plunkett,
one heck of a fella!

hey foxy..i worked at steltzers part time while i was in the AF and that was when dixie lee opened across the street .. early 72.. there was also lavin candy owned by irv reed next door and burdo's mkt on the other corner.. if you went across the bridge and took a left there was a hardware store there .. they had everything you neeeded.. i also remember ideal auto parts owned by carl ???.. they delivered alot of parts to us.. i may be in plattsburgh next month and would love to sit down and pick your brain on the early 70's there .. was a great place to be stationed in the military.. i remember when i got my papers and thinking "where the hell is plattsburgh ny.."

(Foxy's note: Great memories ... the Burdo's Market you refer was operated by the Arnold Burdo family, and up the street on South Peru Street was Lester's Market, operated by the Lester Burdo family. And the hardware store was Brewster's. Give me a call if you end up in Plattsburgh next month!)

Just after the Pyramid Mall was built, and I guess in an attempt to rejuvenate Margaret Street there was a Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream shop for a brief time.

And how about the Bass Factory Shoe Outlet where Cornelia and Broad intersect?

(Foxy's note: How did I miss Ben & Jerry's?? I don't remember that at all! And I love Heath Bar Crunch ice cream!)

Holy smokes "old Timer" just how old are you! other than Chaskey's Plumbing I don't remember any of those places .. I'm surprised there were gas stations back then. was the car even invented yet?
how bout giving us your list of the "local top 10 most beautiful women and where they worked in each of the past 10 decades!! we've already heard of a few on foxy's list. (Patricia) to name one.

Foxy,
I believe the owner of the Rainbow was Lucien "Frenchy" Quenville. If I'm incorrect, I'm sure someone will know.

(Foxy's note: Craig, thanks for the help. I know you are the "King of Trivia" and now I see it's not just limited to sports.)

Dixie Lee had the best chicken and fries in town. They were first located behind the former Dairy Queen on Rte 3. That building was torn down to make room for Labarres and Family Drug. You can still get that great Dixie Lee food, there is a location in Ogdensburg and several in Ontario that we hit when on hockey trips.

The owner of the Rainbow was Leo Girard.

The "Old Timer" goes way back but I do remember my father owning a Studebaker that he purchased from Bert Ratigan. Can you imagine us trying to get seven kids into that little two-door car for a Sunday ride? Impossible.

Fox, wasn't there a fried chicken shack on South Catherine St. where Stewarts is now? I can't remember the name, I vaguely remember driving past and wanting to stop after little league games that were umpired by some of the finest, including yourself and Gordie. Also, how about the old Bayview dairy? Good times!!

Dr. Monzi

(Foxy's note: Yes, good Dr., the chicken place was called Dixie Lee Fried Chicken -- and it was good!)

Good morning Foxy, This is a small list of names to challenge the young lads, Mike Mannix and The Carver who both do quite well with this trivia. How about Welches store on the corner of Draper and Broad. This was right across the street from Buck Defore's gas station. He rented out part to Speigels Drycleaning and it was used as a pickup station and candy store. Moving up to the triangle formed by Broad and Cornelia Sts and Prospect Ave was the Chateau, a very popular spot for Sunday afternoons. Many said it was frequented by bootleggers. At the meeting point of Broad and Cornelia was Bert Ratigans Studebaker Sales featuring Tydol Gasoline. Just west on the south side was Bill Ryans Shell (later Johnny Recore's Sunoco), and then Chaskey Plumbing which became what I think was the first local laundry mat. Just west of that was Fredericks gas station and trailer park. Further west was Duanes Orchard (some of the best hard cider ever made could be found in the old brick root cellar) and Rosebud Dairy on the corner of Hammond Lane. Across the road was Mid Russell's Riding Academy which had moved from U.S. Avenue to the west end. Keep up the great work, Foxy. It is fun to go back in time and it certainly conjures up some great youthful experiences as each location has its own great memories.

(Foxy's note: The Old-Timer has spoken! What a great "Fox on the Run" TV interview he would be! Would have to have speak from behind a curtain to conceal his identity? Maybe on the one-year anniversary of this blog?)

Does anyone remember that an A & P grocery store was located in the building a few doors north of where Northern Insuring is located now on Margaret Street. I have vivid memories of walking there from our house on Palmer Street with my mother and grandmother in the early 50's. Also, Pete's Restaurant was directly across the street. Incidently, a few years ago I was in an antique/gift shop in Clifton Park and saw a sign that I was sure I knew of. It was the large "Rainbow" sign that was in front of that establishment on Margaret Street.

(Foxy's note: Oh, the Rainbow!! Don't get us started on that place! A lot of guys have some nightmare stories about the Rainbow. Who owned the Rainbow?)

is the other dairy bar you're looking for the "creamy bee"??? ... and then there was "the frosty dairy bar" which I think was where telling and potter is today .... Here's another spot many enjoyed as youngsters, although not a restaurant or bar ... do you remember "Fantasy Kingdom"?? in Point Au Roche. Some of the other famous fox hill stops for me included (no deducting for spelling!) "Carmens" corner of sherman and elizabeth ...."ashlines" on monty and then there were two stores behind Notre Dame school?? then in the later years it was a pretty big deal when"Kings Dept Store" started in the Skyway plaza and Carroll's where burger king is now... just to name a few!

(Foxy's note: Yes, I think it was the Creamy B after the original Altamont moved up the street. And Carmen's with Art taking care of the customers. And Vi Ashline's store, which is now where the Robin Bouyear family lives on Monty Street. And Carroll's!! I can remember when it first opened, sitting in Davey Richard's car with Gary Aglieri and some other guys and seeing how many of those 15-cent hamburgers we could eat! And near Notre Dame School was Bedard's Grocery and Abare's. Boy, the Carver sure has been around Plattsburgh a long time!)

That dairy bar at the corner of So Catherine and Broad was the original Altamont which later moved to where Bazanno's Pizza is now located.

Hi, Foxy. I remember all of those places you mention here .. trying to remember what the original name of the Korina was .. .might come up with it someday.... Wondering if you ever received the other comments I sent to you along the way. Don't you acknowledge the folks who send you comments?

(Foxy's note: Ray - I post all comments here at the Press Republican website, after I read and approve. Sometimes I add my personal note, such as this one. However, I seldom send personal replies to the blog comments.)

Foxy,
Don't forget Baker's Pharmacy on the corner of Johnson Avenue and So. Catherine St. What about the Skyway Woolworth's where you could go to the soda fountain and order a banana split or hot fudge sundae then pop a ballon to find out how much it cost.

(Foxy's note: Kathy -- excellent! the balloon to determine the price! Great one!)