Saturday, April 4, 2009

880 South Broad Street, The Burg



880 South Broad Street, The Burg.
Once upon a time this was Korona-Ceffeli Furs:)

4 comments:

Barb P said...

The original Albert Korona Furs was across from where I grew up on the 1000 block of S Broad. Al Jr, one of the nicest, funniest guys I knew, died in Vietnam in 1968.
We were "the mob", as my dad call us: Al, Sam Marrazzo, Denny Pelehaty, Frankie Czyczyk and me. What a great group of guys.

After being robbed repeatedly over the years (someone actually robbed Mr Korona's Gold Star), they sold the business and got out.

SJBill said...

Barb, I feel have to know you. Albert Korona III was a dear friend. He had a great smile and was goofy at times to the max. That's why we got along.

I remember the time I heard he lost his life in 'Nam. I always look for his name on The Wall. I was serving at the same time in the Navy.

Albert Korona Furs was a few blocks down S. Broad St -- the 100 block or so. A big building.

The Korona of Korona-Ceffeli Furs may have been related. This family lived across the street atop either Noah Blank's Pharmacy or the Appliance Store.

Sharon Korona was their daughter and she also was a contemporary of mine, from Harrison through THS. Sharon was a wonderful girl.

Betty Ceffeli was the daughter of the other partner of this business and they lived atop the fur store. Betty started Harrison in fouth grade or so -- prolly 1955 or so. I chose to sit next to Betty in the Broad Theater. She was very sweet -- a protp-babe. Sharon was there, too, I'm sure.

Unknown said...

Albert Korona was my dad, he was Jr., Brother Al, aka "Bunny" to his family and closest friends, was Albert Korona III. Dad, and his older brother John, learned the fur trade from a Mr. Schwartzman working after school at The Original New York Furriers, South Broad St, downtown near Van Scivers. Coming home from WWII, both Army, John teamed up with Mike Ceffeli and opened Korona & Ceffeli Furs near Beatty and Broad, after a few years they sold their store to Chester Marcinkowski who opened The Broadway Record Center at that location. John & Mike relocated and bougt 880-882 S Broad St, next to the police station. Albert opened his Fur Business in the Marilyn Shoppe (Dress Shop) renting space in the basement from George Hearney, who's wife operated the dress store, named for their daughter, Marilyn. Mom & Dad owned a home on Brook Lane, off Hamilton Ave, opposite Greenwood Cemetery. One evening, George went to the basement and went snooping and found Al was very successful and making a nice living, selling as many as 35 Persian lamb custom made coats a week. George got jealous and raised his rent to an outrageous amount. Albert bought the building next door, at 1049, and opened the Budget Fur Shop (Furs to Fit Your Budget). Using the name Budget, it appeared to many as a bargain store. In 1948 he changed the name to Albert Korona Furs. After 2 break-ins Albert & Mary decided to sell their Hamilton Home and move above the business. After the death of Mike Ceffeli, John Korona continued the business until he passed away. Albert bought Korona & Ceffeli Furs and all property from his Sister in law, Ruth Korona. Korona & Ceffeli was closed. Albert & wife Mary (Sedor) Korona worked hard and earned a very comfortable lifestyle. The hardship of losing their first born son, Albert, in the Viet Nam War, KIA May 18,1969 took it's toll on them. Along with Animal Rights Activists, it had become very difficult to operate the business. Both Albert and Mary were stricken with cancer, most of their hard earned savings went to doctors and hospitals. Albert retired at the age of 55 and Mary spent a year to liquidate the business. After a winter's long vacation to Southern California, their last vacation together, Albert died on Feb 4, 1980. Mary closed the business. Mary, very lonely and sad became somewhat reclusive. Sam Marrazzo, Albert III's best buddy, approached Mary and asked her to come work for him part time in the deli of his family business, Marazzo's Quality Market. Sam said: "Please Mary, Join us, it will get you out of the house ... you'll see your friends and neighbors!" Mary obliged and loved working for Sam. When Marrazzo sold the business she stayed on with the new owner, Jack. I, having moved to Ft Lauderdale, visited with mom for a week. Upon my arrival home to Florida, I called mom to assure her I was home safe. She was sad and crying, she informed me that she no longer had a job, Marrazzo's is burning down as we spoke. The rumor was it was arson, which turned out to be true. Mary retired, sold her properties and moved to Trent Center where she became very active. Her cancer had subsided, and live there until the age of 89. Age had taken its toll and she was moved to The Mercerville Center, Nursing Home, where she resided 6yrs comfortably, and safe. She passed away April 3, 2011. ... Son, Larry Korona

SJBill said...

Took me seven years to read this response.
Thank you, Larry. Still missing your Dad.

WG Schultz, San Jose, Ca