Memory Lane: Boro Park’s Candy Shops

There was a time when Boro Park residents could get by celling sweets, cigarettes, soda and newspapers on old, rickety shelves—and would draw many leisurely customers to their establishments. 

They would, of course, consume news in printed newspapers. 

That time is long gone, and it is not coming back. 

Today, we take a stroll through Boro Park of yore, through a number of such establishments around down, with an eye toward the present, and the places that have replaced them. 

1168 40th Street 

We begin with the northeastern tip of Boro Park—the old part of the neighborhood, where the immigrants to this shtetl first put down their valises. It is the corner of 12th avenue and 40th Street, at the opposite end of the street from Congregation Beth El, Boro Park’s oldest shul. 

Here we find an ice cream parlor, which has since been replaced by a number of tenants, currently a car rental establishment.  

55th and New Utrecht 

At two sides of New Utrecht Avenue, we find two candy stores—and we venture to guess that they were both busy. While the one on the northern side (closer to 12th Avenue) has been here until very recently, Rosenberg’s candy store across the street, next door to Chap-a-Nosh still likewise still remains etched in the minds of many from the neighborhood. 

5508 18th Avenue 

For many Boro Park children of the 80’s, this was the ice cream store which we did not patronize. Because it was not Cholov Yisroel. But in 1940’s it was plastered with advertisements for Garcia Grande cigars, and other products they were selling. Later, we see Carvel Ice Cream on the same spot. Today, Sprinkles Ice Cream is located on an adjacent property  

5114 18th Avenue

This establishment which sold candy, soda, and ice cream was transformed into a place that sells something much more precious; the holy Torah, to the children of Yeshiva Yagdil Torah. 

5405 13th Avenue

Quite ironically, the site of Marty’s sweet shop, located next to Waxman’s Bakery, now hosts 1982 Coffee, which also sells sandwiches and baked goods. As for the Allstate Insurance office…, well, times change. 

5712 New Utrecht Avenue

E. Winckler’s candy Shop was also a Luncheonette, as we can see from the store sign. It was By far not the only one on New Utrecht Avenue, which seems to have had an outsized portion of Boro Park’s candy stores.