OLIVER STREET by Arlene Stocki McNair

On Oliver Street , some vacant places
Seek a new entrepreneur.
Diner can be bought or rented;
How about a hardware store?

Old theater, with high ceiling,
Made of concrete block and brick,
Waits to open up for business,
And we wish it would be quick!

Street in Guinness Book of Records,
Taverns in a two-mile row,
Interspersed with homes and storefronts,
As it was so long ago.

I was only 10 when I walked
To Swierczynski's Bakery;
Niese's Dry Goods, Strassburg's Hardware,
And a long way to Goundry.

Niese's was a joy for children,
With a toy shop down the stair,
Mother shopped for needed items,
Mr. N was kind and fair.

Platter's candy started in
A basement that was painted white.
Bowling alley owned by Thompson
Still remains on Gratwick site.

At the Red & White food store,
Shopping carts were yet unknown.
Boxes on the highest shelves
Needed poles to bring them down!

I have never walked so often
On another street as this.
Bus route, traffic, factories;
Pizza parlor I still miss.

Here and there a new addition,
Vote of confidence and hope,
Such as recent multi-dwelling
Means we're not at end of rope!

Arlene Stocki McNair is a native North Tonawandan who now lives in the Town of Tonawanda. An active member and volunteer of the North Tonawanda History Museum, she is active on the Collections Committee.