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Archer Avenue Big Store
Posted by:
rrbond07
(---.sub-75-219-84.myvzw.com)
Date: September 27, 2010 11:57PM
Anyone remember Archer Avenue Big Store? I remember going there many times through the years while growing up on the southwest side. It was almost like a dime store and could get just about anything there. I would go visit St. Joseph and St. Anne church afterwards (Now Our Lady of Fatima). Watria is just down the street and it was a furniture store before that. Radio Shack is STILL there on Archer and Kedzie after all this time.
Re: Archer Avenue Big Store
Posted by:
b.a.hoarder
(---.hsd1.il.comcast.net)
Date: September 28, 2010 04:13PM
Watra Religious Store is located where Wolf Furniture used to be, and a bit further west in the same block was the old Brighton Theater. I used to go there as a kid for the 25 cent Saturday matinee. Also, the White Castle at Archer and Kedzie was featured on CBS's show "Undercover Boss" last season. I immediately noticed Fortuna Funeral Home in one of the shots on the show. Grandparents lived in the area and I spent a bit of time around there.
AABS was THE place to go for a suit for your First Holy Communion or graduation, or some other such occasion. I would call it more of a department store than anything.
AABS was THE place to go for a suit for your First Holy Communion or graduation, or some other such occasion. I would call it more of a department store than anything.
Re: Archer Avenue Big Store
Posted by:
Chipast
(---.dsl.chcgil.ameritech.net)
Date: September 28, 2010 06:18PM
Did the store have a bargain basement or basement with sales?.
Re: Archer Avenue Big Store
Posted by:
Richard Stachowski
(---.dsl.chcgil.sbcglobal.net)
Date: September 28, 2010 08:16PM
I think it had a downstairs. I lived in Brighton Park from 1960 to 1997 on Francisco and 46th.
Re: Archer Avenue Big Store
Posted by:
222psm
(---.br.br.cox.net)
Date: September 28, 2010 09:22PM
We ate at that White castle the last time I was in Chicago, for my aunt's wake at Fortuna funeral home. I remember a liquor store and a tavern across the street.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/29/2010 07:20AM by 222psm.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/29/2010 07:20AM by 222psm.
Re: Archer Avenue Big Store
Posted by:
Berwyn Frank
(---.lightspeed.cicril.sbcglobal.net)
Date: September 28, 2010 09:46PM
Richard, how is that neighborhood these days? I looked on google maps and the block looks nice. Is it still the same?
Re: Archer Avenue Big Store
Posted by:
Richard Stachowski
(---.dsl.chcgil.sbcglobal.net)
Date: September 28, 2010 10:18PM
It changed a lot as far as nationaliy. It used to be mostly Polish and Litianian but now a lot of mexicans. Many of the older folks still live there. The houses are preety much taken care of. My old cottage on 46th & Francisco has been completly transformed inside and out so there are some improvements also.
Re: Archer Avenue Big Store
Posted by:
Berwyn Frank
(---.lightspeed.cicril.sbcglobal.net)
Date: September 28, 2010 11:58PM
You mention "cottage that was transformed." Can I assume that the one with the red door was yours? 
[maps.google.com]
[maps.google.com]
Re: Archer Avenue Big Store
Posted by:
Chipast
(---.dsl.chcgil.ameritech.net)
Date: September 29, 2010 10:17AM
Much of the area had changed from 25 years ago, When it was still considered a fairly stable area. It may not be entirely bad, But many of the changes are unpleasing. Such as the absence of the Brighton Theatre, Archer Ave Big Store, Gertie's Candies, Brighton Park Art & Hobby Shop, et al.
Re: Archer Avenue Big Store
Posted by:
cmysli
(---.careered.com)
Date: January 21, 2011 05:51PM
Yes, Archer Avenue Big Store had a downstairs and basement. My grandma used to get her shoes fixed in the basement. It had that old wooden floor. It's a uniform store now called Zemskis.
Re: Archer Avenue Big Store
Posted by:
Richard Stachowski
(---.dsl.chcgil.sbcglobal.net)
Date: January 21, 2011 08:43PM
No the cottage I lived in was just south of that picture. It has a garage in front with a brown fence. The garage was turned into a home . So move a little south to 4630 Francisco. The cottage is in the back of the lot.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/21/2011 09:13PM by Richard Stachowski.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/21/2011 09:13PM by Richard Stachowski.
Re: Archer Avenue Big Store
Posted by:
cmysli
(---.careered.com)
Date: January 26, 2011 05:46PM
Richard,
What grammar school did you attend?
What grammar school did you attend?
Re: Archer Avenue Big Store
Posted by:
Richard Stachowski
(---.dsl.chcgil.sbcglobal.net)
Date: January 26, 2011 07:30PM
I attended SS Cyril & Methodios at 5oth & Hermitage when I lived on 50th & Wolcott across from Cornell Park.Went to Tilden Tech in the 50's.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/26/2011 07:32PM by Richard Stachowski.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/26/2011 07:32PM by Richard Stachowski.
Re: Archer Avenue Big Store
Posted by:
BullHubbard
(---.dhcp.losa.ca.charter.com)
Date: December 22, 2011 12:46PM
Ah, the A. A. Big Store. Remember the soda machines--'50's models with the huge pointer-dials? Their basement held the toy/model department, I recall. I much preferred visiting there than going with Mom to get the yearly school clothes in the fall. It was our go-to dry goods place. Ah, 'tis gone, 'tis gone . . .
Re: Archer Avenue Big Store
Posted by:
ski50
(---.dhcp.jcsn.tn.charter.com)
Date: January 27, 2012 12:19PM
They had an x-ray machine that was in the shoe department you could put your foot in & watch your toes wiggle which I did many times!Now they are banned.Downstairs was toys & models & Lionel Trains,My 1957 Lionel came from there.They had quite a few Lionel accessories also,
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