Paris
Royal Cleaners
Andrew Sackman, in his Paris Royal Cleaners delivery
truck, 1930.
Liz
Casciaro Gaertner writes: "The cleaners on Sixth was originally
only on Sixth Street, but later my grandfather built-on, extending
it to 7th Street. (It was originally a tailoring shop, not a cleaners.)
He moved here from Michigan, set up shop, and back then - early
1920's - tailors would work in the window so you could see their
work. Then he bought the building to the east and extended that
one, as well. After those additions, there was an entrance/counter
at the back and the front of the store. There were two apartments
above. We lived in the one at 507 6th St. It was huge! And the windows
went from ceiling to floor, and I recall lying on my stomach with
chin in hands watching the workmen put up the Christmas decorations
that strung from one side of the street to the other...a completely
lighted swag going across the street with a bell or wreath, hanging
in the center of the swag. I was simply mesmerized with the process
and would watch all day, and wait for the dimness of the evening
and the first lighting! It was magical!"
Patrick Saccomandi (Liz's uncle) writes, "I lived in Racine from
1945 thru 1957 and started working at the 6th Street address (across
from the 1940 location) when I was five. I have vivid memories of
what it was like for the pressers working amongst hot steam pipes
in the middle of a Racine summer."
Patrick Saccomandi's father (and Liz Casciaro Gaertner's grandfather)
Andrew M. Sackman at the counter of Paris Royal Cleaners in 1945
at the 510 6th Street address. Andrew immigrated from the Abruzzi
section of Italy when he was 15.
Page from the Racine 1940 phone book.
The family house at 944 Park Avenue. The Paris Royal Cleaners, located
at 510 6th Street, would have been very close to this Park Avenue
address. This car is identified as a Fraser. Liz's mother, Nancy
Sackman Casciaro, is standing outside the car, and a family friend
is sitting inside the car. Here
is what the house looks like in Google Streetview.
Here is the remodeled counter in 1952. On the left is Zora Smith.
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