Page 6 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, April 26, 2024 ~ Malden Musings ~ Malden circa 1985 By Peter Levine T 50 he year 1985 was a very good year. There may not have been any “blue-blooded girls, of independent means” but it defi - nitely will go down in my ledger book as a stone-cold blast! • The Celts were still in the Bird Era! • Summer Street Fruit & Variety had some of the best produce on the North Shore! The Morelli family opened for business sometime in the early ’50s. • The Sox were competitive but still under the “Curse of the Yawkeys.” John Henry killed the Yawkey curse in 2002. • The Malden Y at 5:00 on Eastern Bank Building on Rte. 1S 605 Broadway, #301 * Saugus (781) 233-6844 www.bostonnorthdental.com Wednesdays and Fridays was the only place on earth you wanted to be if you played hoop. • You bought the best and most inexpensive fruits and vegetables at Rosebud Farms (only trouble was, you had to eat them that day or they would go bad on you. I kid). • The MHS Boys Tennis Team was State Tournament–bound Dr. Priti Amlani Dr. Bhavisha Patel * Restorative Dentistry * Cosmetic Dentistry * Implant Restoration * Zoom Whitening * Teeth in a Day - All on 6 * Invisalign * CEREC Crowns (Single Visit Crowns) * Root Canal Treatment * Sedation Dentistry ~ Full Mouth Rehabilitation ~ Before After with outstanding players, such as Dave Bouley, Pat Doherty, Johnny Baglio, Sal Sciaudone and Jim Isbell. • Nelson's Bakery served as an anchor in Maplewood Square, delighting the close-knit neighborhood for decades with their signature mince pies, Danish kipsies, apple gems and banana nut bread. • On a personal note, I am rooting for Maplewood Square to make a bigly comeback! Hoping that the Community Vision for Maplewood Presentation jump-starts the revitalization! Fingers crossed! • One stop shopping at Forgione Market! A pound of bruschetta, sliced provolone and a loaf of French Bread! Fuhgeddaboudit! On the way out, stop Fourth of July Parade Maplewood Square (Susan Chase Alessandro photo) next door at Forgione Liquors for a case of Schlitz! • At Pleasant Smoke Shop you bought quality cigars, played your number, purchased newspapers and magazines – from the New York Daily News to The Boston Globe to The Boston Phoenix to The Sporting News – and engaged in spirited conversation with owners Steve and (the late beloved) John Strauss. • Bert Paquette & The New Gamblers were (literally) the house band at the Do Re Lounge on Ferry Street. More a “clubhouse” than a lounge, the bar was dark, the tables mid-century chic, the drinks well poured and most of the clientele talked in whispers. • Lenny at the Elmwood Pharmacy sold more Budweiser on a 1985 Sunday afternoon out the back door than he did out the front door during the whole week! • It was the golden era at Donut Villa! John’s donuts and coffee blew the competition away – with the dynamic duo of Dawn and Maria serving the best breakfast in the hood! On a side note, I am almost positive John didn’t start wearing his Patriot’s baseball hat/gear until TB came aboard (insert smiley face). • If you played hoop in Malden in 1985, you played with some of the most competitive and most talented ballplayers on the North Shore – on sacred ground, such as Amerige Park, Devir Park, Linden Park, Miller/ Harvard Street Park, Ferryway Green and Green Street Park. Most guys/gals knew how to play the game the correct way. They played within themselves, having grown up with Celtics culture: team fi rst. Take the good shot, make the extra pass, box out, play D, and if you didn’t hustle the entire game, you were “spoken to” both during and after the game. • Jake’s Pub, Max’s, Jessell’s Grille, the Hole-in-the-Wall Pub, & the Auld New Lounge. If you know, you know. • There was Joanna’s Coff ee Shop, Donut Man Coff ee Shop and Donut House, but I don’t remember them. Can anybody shine some light on these coffee houses? • I saw the following bands at The Channel in Southie: EekA-Mouse, Toots and the Mayalls, Extreme (four times), The Blushing Brides, Yellowman, the Hoods, the Outlets, Ball & Pivot, the Stompers, Lou Miami and many, many more. • Oak Grove Variety thrived in ’85, survived in ’95, was alive in ’05, went lean by ’15 and is still adored in ’24. I know that was silly, but it was fun to write! • Gulliver’s Travels was in Maplewood Square. Edson Shoe got swallowed up by Boda Borg. Sunnyhurst on Highland Avenue is now doggie daycare. Donald Francis Salon is but a vintage sign behind the MATV studios. Henry’s Lounge disappeared. Lebanon Street Variety has changed hands too many times to count. All gone but for fond memories. • Gloria Food on Main Street, Malden Square misses you bigly! My go-to was their Italian roast beef sub with everything on it. Haven’t had a better one since! Fuhgeddaboudit! • The 2nd Annual Greater Boston Basketball School for boys and girls 8-17 was going on at the Roy Finn Gym with Camp Director Don Brunelli and Program Director Dana Brown large and in charge. • My Honey Fitz Restaurant was a pillar in Malden Square. But they were not really known for their cuisine. Brawls, good, stiff drinks and partying until you dropped or heaved were what they were actually known for. • Oh yeah, the Fitz was also known as the favored watering hole for most Malden pols MUSINGS| SEE PAGE 20
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