George Hacker tailor shop Daily Citizen, date unknown
By Nancy Knisley
In the early 1900s, George Hacker, who advertised that he was the "First Tailor in Ambridge," had a shop at 291 Fourteenth Street, the block between Church and Merchant Streets. His shop window also says "merchant," but I don't know what he sold. I also do not know who the two people are in the photo, as any caption or article which might have identified them wasn't included with the above old Daily Citizen newspaper clipping.
In the early 1900s, George Hacker, who advertised that he was the "First Tailor in Ambridge," had a shop at 291 Fourteenth Street, the block between Church and Merchant Streets. His shop window also says "merchant," but I don't know what he sold. I also do not know who the two people are in the photo, as any caption or article which might have identified them wasn't included with the above old Daily Citizen newspaper clipping.
George Hacker, Tailor, ad Economy Centennial Souvenir Program, Economy of Old and Ambridge of Today 1924
No building numbered 291 currently exists on Fourteenth Street.
[Update July 21, 2014: While there is no building currently numbered 291 Fourteenth Street in Ambridge, Gary Gardner pointed out that the facade of 273 Fourteenth Street looks very much like the facade of the tailor shop. I agree. Perhaps the house numbers on Fourteenth Street were changed. If so, that makes doing research on old businesses and homes even more complicated.]
[Update July 21, 2014: While there is no building currently numbered 291 Fourteenth Street in Ambridge, Gary Gardner pointed out that the facade of 273 Fourteenth Street looks very much like the facade of the tailor shop. I agree. Perhaps the house numbers on Fourteenth Street were changed. If so, that makes doing research on old businesses and homes even more complicated.]
273 Fourteenth Street Google street view
[Update July 22, 2014:
Maria Notarianni submitted this ad which she found in the Good Samaritan Church archives showing George Hacker's tailor shop was once at a different address:
Maria Notarianni submitted this ad which she found in the Good Samaritan Church archives showing George Hacker's tailor shop was once at a different address:
George Hacker, Leading Tailor ad, Ambridge-Economy Citizen, December 16, 1904
And Gary Gardner drove to 273 Fourteenth Street yesterday afternoon and found the building is being renovated inside and out by new owner Jim Thornton. This is wonderful!
273 Fourteenth Street, front facade July 21, 2014 credit: Gary Gardner, used with permission
273 Fourteenth Street, front facade July 21, 2014 credit: Gary Gardner, used with permission
273 Fourteenth Street, tin ceiling July 21, 2014 credit: Gary Gardner, used with permission
273 Fourteenth Street, tin ceiling July 21, 2014 credit: Gary Gardner, used with permission
Thank you Maria and Gary!
end of update]
end of update]
Nancy Bohinsky Knisley grew up in Ambridge in the 1950s and 1960s. She is the author of Ambridge Memories, a blog dedicated to local history from 1950 to 1970. Visit ambridgememories.blogspot.com for more.
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