Vacant Lot at 43^rd Street and
Greenpoint Avenue

Children of two families are shown here in 1930. Going left to right: Annamarie S., Aristotle R., Plato R.; George, Mitch, Dino- all Sioris; next, Helen, Chris, John- all Roussos.  The Roussos second floor apartment on 43rd Street can be seen directly over Annamarie's head.  Greenpoint Avenue is to the left.  The vacant lot became the site of the 43rd Street theater, and later Nelson Hardware.

(Donated by Plato Roussos)

We found Mr. Roussos  comments on the time he leaved here as interesting as the picture he sent. I share his thought with you to help remember the good old days.

 “Grocery stores of the neighborhood were A &P, Bohacks, and independent merchants along Greenpoint Avenue.  My mother brought fruit and vegetables from a vendor operating from a horse drawn wagon who usually situated himself at about 46 Street and 47th avenue in the 1930s and early 40s. However, Sunnyside played a part in the development of the "Supermarket."  "King Kullen" was one of the first supermarkets of the United States.  It was founded, I think,  around 1935 at Queens Boulevard and 49th Street to the west of Ruhl Animal Farm.  The founder was named Kullen. 

 I believe he was from Jamaica, Queens and was involved with the "Red Lion," sometimes claimed to be the first grocery supermarket.  We dealt with the A&P who sold an unwrapped loaf of bread for ten cents but charged an additional penny if you wanted it sliced on their new slicing machines, circa 1933.  Milk was laddled from a large milk can into your own container.  Butter was cut out from a big butter tub.  Individually wrapped packages of butter had not yet arrived. Upon moving to 48 Street and 48th Avenue, we dealt with Butler's Grocery at the corner of 47th Street and 48th Avenue.  Fresh bread rolls could be bought for two cents each. “