Longstanding Ellingsworth’s Market becomes High Street Market in 1946
In 1946, Charles C. and Dora J. Mecomonaco would open the High Street Market, located at 211 High Street, from Watertown grocer and meat specialist Charles T. Ellingsworth (sometimes found under “Ellingworth”) who had owned and operated the Ellingsworth Market at this location for twenty-some years prior. Ellingsworth, at one time, would have three grocery stores, including one on Holcomb Street, operating under his name.
Located next to Watertown Building Supply, the High Street Market was your typical neighborhood market during the era having already built a decades-long reputation from its predecessor. The ownership by the Mecomonacos would be short-lived as they would sell it to Vincent R. and Louis Iannotti the following year in 1947.
In 1953, the Iannotti brothers would sell the store to Vincent J. Brucale who often advertised the sale or trading of comic books. It is unknown when exactly the High Street Market closed, but an indication may be given in 1957 when and “all must go” sale was listed at the address.
1957 also was the last year any information was found regarding the market. The address would be home to Ontario Electric until at least 1959, at which time no further information was found for the address, either.
Watertown Neighborhood Grocery Stores
According to the Watertown Daily Times, there were as many as 87 neighborhood grocery stores operating in the city back in 1907 (a list from 1908 can be found here.) While there will always be a place for chains – some of them serving up a number of fond memories themselves such as the much-beloved Mohican, there’s something about the neighborhood stores and their place within our communities, and particularly our childhood memories, that made them endearing.
Over the years, more and more large grocery stores infiltrated the area offering more competitive pricing, and larger varieties of goods. A&P, Weston, Super Duper, P&C and many others have come and gone through the years and while the neighborhood grocery stores are (very) few and far between, if you look around, you still might see a little mom and pop store… somewhere.
In an ever-evolving world, it’s the chain stores themselves who now face stiff competition from the likes of large conglomerates such as Sam’s Club and Walmart, or the likes of Amazon.com. While some of them may be able to boast even MORE offerings and DEEPER discounts, they’ll never aspire to be, and thusly never match, the quaintness of the old neighborhood grocery stores.
As one astute commenter, Lee Crandall, wrote on the You Haven’t Lived in Watertown, NY if— Facebook page,
In most American cities our zoning laws have put this type of store out of business. So now we miss out on the interaction with neighbors, drive miles to a big box store, get less exercise, and waste fossil fuels to get the stuff that used to be at the corner store.
A list of neighborhood grocery stores in Watertown over the years include the following below:
Academy St Market
Ashkar’s
Boora’s Soda Shop
Breen Avenue Market
Calendar’s Market on Factory
California Fruit Market
Capone Grocery
Clay Street Market
Cooper Street Market
Crescent’s Market
Derrigo’s Fruit Stand
Dorr’s Market
Eveleigh’s Market
Fobert’s Market
French’s
Gayle Street Market
General Store, Coffeen Street
Greico’s Produce
Guardino’s Grocery
Habeeb Bros. Red & White
Hickey’s Grocery Store
Highway Market
Holcomb Street Market
Horning’s Grocery
Jenkins Market
Johnnie’s Fruit Stand
LeRay Street Market
Major’s Market
Meadow Street Market
Mathar’s Market
Parkview Market
Rocky’s Fruit Stand
Ruth’s Market
Rutland St. Market
Sowans on State and High St.
Tony’s Fruit Stand
Interested in viewing other Watertown neighborhood grocery stores like High Street Market? Click here.
