Quote:
Originally Posted by SWCC Newbie
In a February 2006 thread about the property at the corner of 23rd and Bainbridge that is a triangular surface parking lot today, PhillyBlog member cleanman posted the following about that property and the neighboring Naval Home.
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Cleanman speaks of Gabe who owned the diner. I knew Him well. He was the Father of my cousin and my Mother and Aunt were both waitresses at His diner in the 50's and early 60's.
Gabe's Father was the original owner who opened the Diner but I can't remember His name.
They{my mother and Aunt} also worked at the steak Shop,for a short time, that was on the corner where Grays Ferry and Christian meet{another triangle}which is now a parking lot.
As young kids{the early 60's} we used to go to a place called Biggies on Van Pelt street, between Market and Chestnut. It cost a dime for a full day's admission on Saturday's.
It was all boys and they had an indoor pool and if you swam in the pool you didn't need trunks because you went in the pool with nothing but your birthday suit.
They had craft's and Chess along with a variety of other games.
On the walk home alot of times we'd stop in the Diner and I'd always get a free soda because I was Lorraine's son.
Gabe would sit with me and chit chat if He's wasn't too busy.
The Diner was the old fasioned type that was about the size of a large trailer and it was all stainless steel. It had about 6-8 booths by the window facing Grays Ferry Rd. {before they made Grays Ferry Rd. an Ave.} and had a counter with Swivel stools that you could spin on until you were dizzy.
When Grays Ferry Ave. was still designated a "Road" We used to just call it "The Road".
I'm sure Cleanman remembers that one.
If you lived in the Gray's Ferry section, you say, I'm going "
Down the road" when you were visiting someone in the Pocket or Schukill.
If you lived in the Pocket you'd say I'm goin "
up the Road" when you were heading to the Grays Ferry section.
I lived both "Up the Road" and "Down the Road" and have great memories of growing up in this part of the City.
I wouldn't change it if I could. I loved Growing up here.