The last furniture store in Nanticoke, and one of the few remaining active businesses in Nanticoke, is going out of business.
Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice: Bartuska's Furniture closure leaves void in Nanticoke
This is a sad but almost inevitable development. As the owners note, it was hard enough selling moderately-priced American-made furniture when the major chain competitors are selling cheap junk from China. But in an economy where discretionary incomes have dropped to zero, where people don't even have the money to pay for the gas to go to their jobs (if they're lucky enough to have jobs), furniture purchases are not a priority.
Bartuska's closing will leave a major void on Main Street in Nanticoke. Two voids - they also own a warehouse across the street, though the city has announced plans to purchase that. In a slightly better economy this might be a prime opportunity for a new business to set up shop in the old building. (Bartuska's has an enormous room-sized elevator in the back for transporting furniture from one floor to the next - how cool is that?) But at this point I cannot envision anyone else opening a business downtown. I hope to be proved wrong.
Showing posts with label Nanticoke Businesses. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nanticoke Businesses. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Saturday, March 17, 2012
New business in Nanticoke: Coffee's Coffee!
WHAT:
Coffee's Coffee, a coffee shop and cafe in downtown Nanticoke, PA
WHERE:
71 East Main Street in Nanticoke
(the old location of McDonald's Newsstand, across the street from Luzerne County Community College's Health Sciences Center, formerly the Kanjorski Building)
WHEN:
Monday-Friday 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Nearly three years ago Nanticoke lost one of its oldest businesses when McDonald's Newsstand closed its doors. Since that time the building has been empty and closed, a sad reminder of better days that really weren't that much better.
A few months ago I became involved with an individual with a vision for a revitalized downtown Nanticoke. The centerpiece and cornerstone of his vision was the recent establishment of new educational centers from Luzerne County Community College: the Health Sciences Center on the corner of Main and Broadway (in the old Kanjorski Building) and the Joseph A. Paglianite Culinary Arts Institute located just two blocks away on the corner of Main and Nanticoke Avenue. These places were bringing students to the area, students who needed services provided to them and who, in turn, would do business with businesses providing those services.
The project was eventually put on the back burner for a variety of reasons, but I was inspired with my own vision: the old McDonald's Newsstand building would be a perfect location for a coffee shop designed to meet the needs of L.C.C.C. students looking to meet, grab a quick coffee, and check the internet before and between classes. For months I have dwelled on this vision, wondering what could be done to make it a reality.
It turns out that for the past two years, someone has been working to make this vision a reality.
Coffee's Coffee is the dreamchild of proprietor Kim Coffee. (Yes, that's her real name.) I was a little disappointed when I parked across the street and walked towards the building and noticed that the neon OPEN sign was no longer flashing like it had been a few hours earlier. I decided to take some photos anyway. Having a distressingly large man taking pictures of your business with a distressingly small camera tends to get a reaction - and the woman who was cleaning up for the day unlocked the door and motioned for me to come in.
We talked for a while, more than a while, and Kim Coffee showed me around the place. I was wrapped in double-vision with each step as I remembered the space as it was - dodging around a phantom counter that wasn't there anymore - and drank in the space as it is now.
Except for tidbits like the cast-iron radiator above, Coffee's Coffee doesn't bear much resemblance to the old newsstand. Having just opened a few days ago (a "soft opening;" the Grand Opening won't be until this coming Wednesday, March 21), everything is shiny and new, and there is a sense of anticipation and ambition about the place.
And beauty: this is a very beautiful place. There is something to see everywhere you turn, and as much as I tried to photograph every inch of the place, I am sure there are things I missed.
Of course, Coffee's Coffee a place of business, specifically there to sell you food and drink. So what do they have to offer?
In the breakfast and lunch departments, there are paninis, hot pressed grill sandwiches, and hot dogs, soup, and some breakfast things as well - egg on an English muffin, bagels, and tuna on a bagel.
Of course, there's a selection of coffees to choose from, along with espresso, cappuccino, latte, and chai ( a personal favorite), as well as green tea. (I've already been asked to relay a request for bubble tea, which is increasingly popular, though it hasn't reached the level of cupcakes and bacon yet.)
Then there are smoothies and frappes, too - it would take a while just to run the drinks menu!
A Dali-inspired clock is one of several throughout the cafe.
The smoothie, panini, hot dog, cappuccino, and espresso bar. Check out that woodwork!
There's also a self-serve coffee section in the back, near an expanded area for group gatherings. So now Nanticoke's bloggers, writers, and artists will have a place to hang out and share ideas!
And, of course, there is a wide selection of pastries!
Bouquets of flowers expressing well-wishes for the new business. The one on the right is from the City of Nanticoke!
The Coffee name is well-known throughout the region. Tragically, Kim's father was killed by a drunk driver several years ago (a drunk driver who was subsequently given an outrageously short sentence), and she has added many touches in his memory, including the fresh flowers at every table. Kim's father saw fresh flowers as the sign of a quality establishment; plastic flowers on a table were only dust collectors, and who wanted dust on their food?
Coffee's Coffee fills several needs that have existed in Nanticoke for a while. Its existence is a reason to have hope for the gradual rebirth of the city. I wish Kim and her staff the best of luck in their new endeavor, and may they do business as robust as their coffee!
Coffee's Coffee, a coffee shop and cafe in downtown Nanticoke, PA
WHERE:
71 East Main Street in Nanticoke
(the old location of McDonald's Newsstand, across the street from Luzerne County Community College's Health Sciences Center, formerly the Kanjorski Building)
WHEN:
Monday-Friday 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Nearly three years ago Nanticoke lost one of its oldest businesses when McDonald's Newsstand closed its doors. Since that time the building has been empty and closed, a sad reminder of better days that really weren't that much better.
A few months ago I became involved with an individual with a vision for a revitalized downtown Nanticoke. The centerpiece and cornerstone of his vision was the recent establishment of new educational centers from Luzerne County Community College: the Health Sciences Center on the corner of Main and Broadway (in the old Kanjorski Building) and the Joseph A. Paglianite Culinary Arts Institute located just two blocks away on the corner of Main and Nanticoke Avenue. These places were bringing students to the area, students who needed services provided to them and who, in turn, would do business with businesses providing those services.
The project was eventually put on the back burner for a variety of reasons, but I was inspired with my own vision: the old McDonald's Newsstand building would be a perfect location for a coffee shop designed to meet the needs of L.C.C.C. students looking to meet, grab a quick coffee, and check the internet before and between classes. For months I have dwelled on this vision, wondering what could be done to make it a reality.
It turns out that for the past two years, someone has been working to make this vision a reality.
Coffee's Coffee is the dreamchild of proprietor Kim Coffee. (Yes, that's her real name.) I was a little disappointed when I parked across the street and walked towards the building and noticed that the neon OPEN sign was no longer flashing like it had been a few hours earlier. I decided to take some photos anyway. Having a distressingly large man taking pictures of your business with a distressingly small camera tends to get a reaction - and the woman who was cleaning up for the day unlocked the door and motioned for me to come in.
 |
| Location, location, location: Directly across the street from the Luzerne County Community College Health Sciences Center, and a quick walk from the Joseph A. Paglianite Culinary Arts Institute |
We talked for a while, more than a while, and Kim Coffee showed me around the place. I was wrapped in double-vision with each step as I remembered the space as it was - dodging around a phantom counter that wasn't there anymore - and drank in the space as it is now.
 |
| Candy, a coat rack, and a jukebox! Notice the cast-iron radiator against the wall. |
Except for tidbits like the cast-iron radiator above, Coffee's Coffee doesn't bear much resemblance to the old newsstand. Having just opened a few days ago (a "soft opening;" the Grand Opening won't be until this coming Wednesday, March 21), everything is shiny and new, and there is a sense of anticipation and ambition about the place.
 |
| Get a load of that backsplash! |
And beauty: this is a very beautiful place. There is something to see everywhere you turn, and as much as I tried to photograph every inch of the place, I am sure there are things I missed.
 |
| Close-up of backsplash |
Of course, Coffee's Coffee a place of business, specifically there to sell you food and drink. So what do they have to offer?
 |
| Menu 1: Specializing in paninis, hot dogs, and soup |
In the breakfast and lunch departments, there are paninis, hot pressed grill sandwiches, and hot dogs, soup, and some breakfast things as well - egg on an English muffin, bagels, and tuna on a bagel.
 |
| Menu 2: Coffee and tea (and there are already requests for bubble tea!) |
Of course, there's a selection of coffees to choose from, along with espresso, cappuccino, latte, and chai ( a personal favorite), as well as green tea. (I've already been asked to relay a request for bubble tea, which is increasingly popular, though it hasn't reached the level of cupcakes and bacon yet.)
 |
| Menu 3: Smoothies and Frappes |
Then there are smoothies and frappes, too - it would take a while just to run the drinks menu!
 |
| The Persistence of Memory - or, Hello, Dali! |
A Dali-inspired clock is one of several throughout the cafe.
The smoothie, panini, hot dog, cappuccino, and espresso bar. Check out that woodwork!
 |
| The self-serve coffee section |
There's also a self-serve coffee section in the back, near an expanded area for group gatherings. So now Nanticoke's bloggers, writers, and artists will have a place to hang out and share ideas!
And, of course, there is a wide selection of pastries!
 |
| Spoon and Fork time |
Bouquets of flowers expressing well-wishes for the new business. The one on the right is from the City of Nanticoke!
 |
| Fresh flowers on every table in memory of Kim Coffee's father, Michael Coffee |
The Coffee name is well-known throughout the region. Tragically, Kim's father was killed by a drunk driver several years ago (a drunk driver who was subsequently given an outrageously short sentence), and she has added many touches in his memory, including the fresh flowers at every table. Kim's father saw fresh flowers as the sign of a quality establishment; plastic flowers on a table were only dust collectors, and who wanted dust on their food?
 |
| Close-up of clock table |
Coffee's Coffee fills several needs that have existed in Nanticoke for a while. Its existence is a reason to have hope for the gradual rebirth of the city. I wish Kim and her staff the best of luck in their new endeavor, and may they do business as robust as their coffee!
Friday, April 15, 2011
Diamond's Candy Shoppe is back, for a limited time!
Diamond's used to be open all the time, or so it seemed; I never had a problem stopping in to pick up some chocolates for my friends any time of the year. But about four years ago the store began closing temporarily at some times of the year. At first it was closed during the Summer. Then it was only open for a few weeks before Christmas and Easter, and maybe Valentine's Day, too. Then it wasn't open at all.
And then it closed. Diamond's Candy Shoppe closed a year or so ago. It had been mostly closed for some time, but when they sold off the chocolate-making equipment, the copper kettles and other such things, everyone knew it was over. Diamond's was gone for good.
Except it wasn't.
Just before last Christmas I was driving by the store with a friend who was in town for a visit. On a whim I drove him past the chocolate store, and there was the proprietor, Mr. Panagakos - unfortunately, locking up and leaving. I tried again early on Christmas Eve, and the old neon OPEN sign in the window was lit up. At least, it was lit up when I pulled up and parked, but as I got out of the car I saw Mr. Panagakos locking up again. Fortunately, this time he saw me, and he quickly reopened and waved me in. I came in, pulled out all the money in my wallet, and asked him to give me however much chocolate that would buy.
A week or so ago a sign appeared in the window of the old candy store informing interested parties that Mr. Panagakos would be taking orders for Easter candy. Even better: he is keeping the store open for a few hours each day - 9:00 to 2:00 - up until Easter. He has a few of his old display cabinets back up, filled with chocolate bunnies and ducks and race cars and a wide variety of Easter Eggs.
I stopped by today, pulled out a $50 bill I had been saving since Christmas, and used it to buy as much chocolate as I could.
Diamond's Candy Shoppe will be open, I think, for a few more days, or until Mr. Panagakos runs out of candy. I don't know when - or if - he will be opening again. If you want to grab a taste of this legendary chocolate, the time is now. Call ahead to the number shown above if you want to place a special order. This may be your last chance!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Diamond's Candy Shoppe
Diamond's has been a fixture of Nanticoke all of my life. It is located just off our city square, in a not-very-good neighborhood. Their chocolate is, I think, the best I have ever had, not too waxy or too sugary and with a strong chocolate aroma, but I am probably biased in this regard.
Diamond's Candy Shoppe, October 30 2004
I walked into the store this morning and was greeted by the proprietor, Mr. Panagakos, who was still reeling from the Easter rush. I told him I was looking for some unusual shapes, that my friends had told me he had chocolate knives and guns and Darth Vader heads. He didn't know about these shapes, but he did show me some other unusual ones - a chocolate Empire State Building for $26.50, a chocolate dancing pig and dog, and another chocolate pig. While he was going through the comical chocolate animals he came across the chocolate handgun, which surprised him quite a bit. I also spotted a fleet of chocolate submarines on his shelf and asked him to get one down for me. I thought I spotted a chocolate knife in the front display case, but it turned out to be the blade of a pair of chocolate scissors. Near the scissors was a whole tray of chocolate American flags, with the message "PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN" barely visible at the bottom.
Some chocolate shapes from Diamond's
I bought all of these, which Mr. Panagakos gave to me at the traditional discount given by most local shopkeepers (who tend to round down all of their prices), and he also threw in some cream-filled Easter Eggs free of charge ("Everybody likes Easter Eggs!" he enthused in his thick Greek accent as he shoveled them into the bag.)
I asked him for a business card as I paid for my goodies, and he pointed out that his clear plastic business card case was empty save for the one taped to the front - which he pulled off and gave to me, noting that the guy who takes care of printing his cards should be getting him more soon.
Diamond's business card
If you ever find yourself in Northeastern Pennsylvania, it's worth your while to visit Nanticoke and get some delicious chocolate from Diamond's Candy Shoppe at 4 East Broad Street. You'll be glad you did!
Diamond's Candy Shoppe, October 30 2004
I walked into the store this morning and was greeted by the proprietor, Mr. Panagakos, who was still reeling from the Easter rush. I told him I was looking for some unusual shapes, that my friends had told me he had chocolate knives and guns and Darth Vader heads. He didn't know about these shapes, but he did show me some other unusual ones - a chocolate Empire State Building for $26.50, a chocolate dancing pig and dog, and another chocolate pig. While he was going through the comical chocolate animals he came across the chocolate handgun, which surprised him quite a bit. I also spotted a fleet of chocolate submarines on his shelf and asked him to get one down for me. I thought I spotted a chocolate knife in the front display case, but it turned out to be the blade of a pair of chocolate scissors. Near the scissors was a whole tray of chocolate American flags, with the message "PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN" barely visible at the bottom.
Some chocolate shapes from Diamond's
I bought all of these, which Mr. Panagakos gave to me at the traditional discount given by most local shopkeepers (who tend to round down all of their prices), and he also threw in some cream-filled Easter Eggs free of charge ("Everybody likes Easter Eggs!" he enthused in his thick Greek accent as he shoveled them into the bag.)
I asked him for a business card as I paid for my goodies, and he pointed out that his clear plastic business card case was empty save for the one taped to the front - which he pulled off and gave to me, noting that the guy who takes care of printing his cards should be getting him more soon.
Diamond's business card
If you ever find yourself in Northeastern Pennsylvania, it's worth your while to visit Nanticoke and get some delicious chocolate from Diamond's Candy Shoppe at 4 East Broad Street. You'll be glad you did!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
WNAK is gone
A few days ago I received this comment on my post about Nanticoke's radio station, WNAK:
I do not know if the format has switched back yet - I haven't tuned in in a very long time. But as of yesterday, the former funeral home that housed WNAK from 1982 until the new owners relocated earlier this year no longer exists.
Sadly, when I was taking pictures of the churches in the area of WNAK - including the Nebo Baptist Church, which purchased the building and had it torn down to build additional parking - I didn't bother to take any of WNAK itself. I'm not sure if the sign indicating that it once was home to the radio station - an old-style NBC "N" logo, a holdover from the brief period when the station was an NBC affiliate - was still there. (Owner and broadcaster Bob Neilson would refer to the station on-air as "NBC" long after this affiliation ended, saying it stood for "Nielson's Broadcasting Company.")
Another piece of Nanticoke history is gone.
UPDATE: Yes, it's true. The "old sounds" have returned, at least in the form of easy-listening Christmas music. After the season, who knows? But it will never be the same as I remember it, with Hymn Time (an hour of religious music) every day, and commercial-free Sundays (with the special Sunday jingle "There's something missing from this station...it's WNAK!"), and Bob Neilson giving a daily editorial called "Another Point of View" (with the sound of a chattering ticker-tape behind him) and ending it with the disclaimer that the station would broadcast other viewpoints from "responsible persons," although this always seemed to mean only one person, a woman named Marion Dunstan Karsten of Kingston, PA, and of course, Night Watch ending every day's programming.
UPDATE 2, 12/7/08: Jan Souther, in his column "The Wax Museum" at the Wilkes-Barre Citzens' Voice, confirms that these really are the "old sounds":
As a former employee of WNAK it saddens me that Neilson sold the station. I enjoyed the eight years I was there on-air, and the Nightwatch was like saying "goodbye" when the station would go off the air. Mr. Neilson passed away a few years ago but he told me how he made a mistake in the sale and wished we could have all worked together to keep the station alive. Time ran out for all of us and, well under different ownership things changed.
Some good news perhaps, as of Dec 1, 2008, I hear the old sounds could be coming back to WNAK? Let's all hope and prayer!!
I do not know if the format has switched back yet - I haven't tuned in in a very long time. But as of yesterday, the former funeral home that housed WNAK from 1982 until the new owners relocated earlier this year no longer exists.
You can read the rest of the article here.Former home of WNAK razed for church parking
BY BOB KALINOWSKI
STAFF WRITER
Published: Thursday, December 4, 2008 4:06 AM EST
The residential Nanticoke building that was home to the small, but popular WNAK radio station for decades and launched many successful media careers was demolished Wednesday.The building at 84 S. Prospect St. has been empty since early this year, when the station’s new owners, West Chester-based Route 81 Radio, moved operations to a multi-station headquarters in Avoca.
Sadly, when I was taking pictures of the churches in the area of WNAK - including the Nebo Baptist Church, which purchased the building and had it torn down to build additional parking - I didn't bother to take any of WNAK itself. I'm not sure if the sign indicating that it once was home to the radio station - an old-style NBC "N" logo, a holdover from the brief period when the station was an NBC affiliate - was still there. (Owner and broadcaster Bob Neilson would refer to the station on-air as "NBC" long after this affiliation ended, saying it stood for "Nielson's Broadcasting Company.")
Another piece of Nanticoke history is gone.
UPDATE: Yes, it's true. The "old sounds" have returned, at least in the form of easy-listening Christmas music. After the season, who knows? But it will never be the same as I remember it, with Hymn Time (an hour of religious music) every day, and commercial-free Sundays (with the special Sunday jingle "There's something missing from this station...it's WNAK!"), and Bob Neilson giving a daily editorial called "Another Point of View" (with the sound of a chattering ticker-tape behind him) and ending it with the disclaimer that the station would broadcast other viewpoints from "responsible persons," although this always seemed to mean only one person, a woman named Marion Dunstan Karsten of Kingston, PA, and of course, Night Watch ending every day's programming.
UPDATE 2, 12/7/08: Jan Souther, in his column "The Wax Museum" at the Wilkes-Barre Citzens' Voice, confirms that these really are the "old sounds":
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Sanitary Bakery
Sanitary Bakery126 East Ridge Street
Nanticoke, PA 18634
(570) 735-6630
Phone orders accepted for worldwide shipping
Sanitary Bakery in Nanticoke is the oldest bakery in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Its name comes from a long-ago time when the word "Sanitary" indicated a level of quality and cleanliness beyond that of run-of-the-mill bakeries. In Nanticoke today, simply saying "Sanitary" brings to mind the best fresh-baked cakes, cookies, breads, and pastries this side of your grandmother's kitchen!
Block out plenty of time for your visit to Sanitary Bakery, because there's sure to be a line of people ahead of you. Walk in, take a number, look at all the delicious items in the glass cases, and if you're able, hold the door open for folks leaving the place with their arms full of boxes of goodies!
The mornings are always an especially busy time at Sanitary Bakery as people line up to get a fresh-brewed coffee and maybe a just-made donut or danish for the ride to work - or a box of them to share with their co-workers. Visiting Sanitary on Sunday morning after church is a tradition for many families. And their birthday cakes and cupcakes are the finest around, far better and less expensive than what supermarkets or big-box stores have to offer!
Seasonal and ethnic foods are a specialty, too. These include kruschicki (crisp-fried pastry bow-ties or ribbons dusted with powdered sugar) and, during the Lenten leadup to Easter, ponchki (also called paczki, punchki, or pounchki), dense, delicious, donut-like pastries traditionally filled with prunes or prune paste (lekvar) but also available with other fruit fillings.
And these treats are not solely available to residents of Nanticoke and surrounding areas! No, thanks to their website (http://www.sanitarybakery.com/) people from all over can see what Sanitary Bakery has to offer, and can order their favorite items by calling (570) 735-6630 (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express accepted). But if you are anywhere in or near Nanticoke, you must experience the sights and smells of Sanitary Bakery in person!
For directions to Sanitary Bakery, go here.
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