What was at the site of the parking lot on the corner of Front and Lafayette? I can see a building there, but not what it was.

The original Beef & Oyster was the best! Kind of lost its charm and way after it moved.

Antoine, after the original Beef & Oyster moved there was a Jewelry Shop on that corner. You can see it in a photo that ran a couple of weeks ago.

Corner of Front & Lafayette? I THINK that's the corner of Front & Central. In that lot were , I believe, The original Red's, Sushel's Bakery and possibly Langmaid's lumber.

Also on Front were Jakie Share's stationary store (not even sure if that was the name but I sure do remember Jake Share) and the Colonial Men's Shop. I believe that Peter Meo owned it. Pep Cornacchio worked there. I still have an overcoat that I bought there. I'd love to know when the store went out of business so that I can get a "carbon-date" on how old it is (50 years?)

There was also a "bucket of blood" bar that occupied the corner of the building that housed the Beef & Oyster nearest the Old Town Hall. Can't remember the name. And, of course, the building on the other corner was the home of the Salem News for years.

The Alamo it was!! I think that Colnial Men's Shop was in the downstairs portion of the building currently housing the law offices.

I believe it was next to the Subway Market

I remember going to Jake Shaers store. It always scared me a little because it was always messy. He knew where everything was though.

Fond memories...my Uncle Paul's store, Subway Market..my Pepere worked there along with Uncle Armand, who later had a store on Essex street. I remember the old wooden phone booth, and yes, Jake's was messy, but he could find anything in seconds. Loved the Saturday night open air markets, and Bickford's Cafeteria, also Rizzo's Spaghetteria over by the old police station....next door was a fabric shop.

I often think about a restaraunt my family would go to after church on Washington St. I think it was called Gerbers and if I remember there was a big fire there at one time. I could be wrong on some of my memories but we did go some place in that area near the corner of Front and Wash.

Yes. Gerber's not Bickford's.

Gerbers was in Town House Square, where the Samantha Statue now sits. It burned down in a big winter time fire in either 1968 or 1969.

We would go to church at St Mary's,four kids and our parents,and then to Gerbers. It seemed like everyone left church and went to Gerbers,all the same people. I remember seeing photos after the fire with everything iced over.

I watched the Gerber's fore with my father ( the Red Dog of days of yore). The water from the hoses would freeze as it ran off the buildings wall. Large cascades of ice were formed beneath the roof and the windows on the top floor. Mike Holloran Remembered this fire in his interview a few months back.

http://salem.patch.com/articles/the-holloran-brothers-and-45-years-of-fire-fighting-a7cfdc23

Excuse me but my grandfather Louis Gerber owned Gerber's and he would not allow the grease trap to be dirty. He was a meticulous man and this type of rumor would have him turning over in his grave. And yes it was 1971. RIP Granddad, I love you,.

I apologize to both you and your grandfather Norma, for any offense my post committed.

Gerbers had the Best best corned beef on rye on the planet

RWS, thank you and we both accept your apology. After 40+ years of Gerber's, my grandfather sold the restaurant and the fire was shortly after the new owner took over. Even if the new owner did have dirty grease, it would be associated with my grandfather's name, and he didn't deserve that legacy.
Alex, yes, the best on the planet. Thank you. Sometimes I use a Gerber's placemat when I eat a sandwich but it's never the same.

I now know that my still in use, still in style overcoat with the "Colonial Men's Store" label is at least 23 years old. Quality merchandise indeed!!!!