This Is Framingham

A nice reader sent me a photo of the train station during it’s construction in 1885-86.  If you click on it you can see a larger version and some nice details.
Below is Ethan’s photo he took a couple of years ago when he did his post about the history of this building.

There a couple of guys who have a myspace page dedicated to their efforts on making a film about our beloved V66.  I made a post about “The V” a while ago but I just wanted to post about this in case anyone has contributions they’d like to make.

There is a short video on their page explaining their mission. worms that look like ivermectin
http://www.myspace.com/v66documentary
They also have a regular site: www.lifeonthev.com

This is a rare non-Framingham post but I’ve decided to include it since this used to be in Framingham.  Since some comments on the Herbie’s post started mentioning Makkas (that used to be in the old Lechmere Mall) and that they are still open in Marlborough, I was compelled to go check it out…and so we did.

Makkas is at 890 Boston Post Rd.  I never really get to Marlborough for some reason so this was good reason to visit. cheap ivermectine   It was still Christmas season when went (incase anyone is wondering why the tree is there).  It’s a kind of small shop, but they seem to have their loyal regulars who get stuff to go and a counter for people who just want to sit for a quick slice. 1% ivermectin injection for fleas, lice, ticks   One look at someone’s sub made me want to get one but we stuck with the original mission, pizza.

We got half eggplant, half plain.

I know some people prefer Italian  over Greek style pizza and (if you couldn’t tell from the name) this is Greek but I like both styles and thought this was good,  the crust and bottom where nice and crunchy and there was a good balance of sauce and cheese.

Ethan wasn’t  fan but I liked it and it tasted like what I remembered from the Lechmere Mall days- although it was so long ago, I probably wouldn’t notice if they changed the recipe but it tasted like what I thought it should taste like. ivermectin use in animals
Anyway, I thought some of the people who mentioned Makkas on the past post might be interested so, enjoy!

Now we just need to find the “Cookies Cookin’ ” people and get them back in business : )

This isn’t too exciting but I’m working on a another post and in the meantime I thought I’d post this.  While going through slides (I did get a projector, thank you Patsy!) I found one of my sister and I in what is the route 30 mall/Filene’s Basement parking lot now.  I have no idea what it was in 1975-76 (when this picture was probably taken).
 

In the background is the route 30 post office and a sign for Caldor and a place called “Steak & Brew”.  I’m guessing that would be where Bugaboo Creek is now, although I don’t know if Victoria Station was already occupying that space. I wish the Caldor sign had the “rainbow” since that’s what made it so recognizable to me as a kid but maybe this was even before they had that logo? Anyway, it’s kind of funny that the post office looks the same.

As I do sometimes, I’ll be browsing on Ebay and do a search for Framingham to see if there is anything interesting.  I found a couple of things but I have to day this was an image that I actually thought “Woah” when I saw it.
All the info on the listing for this postcard is just that it was of a place called Philbrooke’s Steakhouse, Framingham MA, from the 60’s.  I would guess it was on route 9 but I guess it could have been be anywhere.

I find the photo interesting because, of course, the shape of the building  but also it makes me curious about the management.  I think it’s kind of funny how they chose this somewhat unflattering angle, exposing the basement door and utility pole almost in the middle of the picture.  Also noted is the unappealing wall of dirty snow in the foreground.  It’s an interesting composition and makes me wonder why they didn’t take a straight-on photo of the front door.  Was there something even uglier directly behind the steakhouse?  Or maybe Ken’s was in the background? Was there a reason why they didn’t wait until spring or pay someone to get rid of the blackened snow for this photoshoot?

Anyway, if anyone ever ate or worked at this place, I’m curious to hear what the inside and overall experience was like at Philbrooke’s Steakhouse.

 
The above photo is what I believe is the only known photograph of the Bradlees in Framingham (that is now Kohl’s).

This and the rest of the photos of this store are made possible with the kind permission of Joseph Kacoyannakis of Joseph Kacoyannakis Productions.  Joseph used to work at this Bradlees and had the foresight to take some photpgraphs while he was there.
I don’t know where to begin with Bradlees, I loved this store.  Sometimes on a Saturday afternoon I’ll still have the urge to go to Bradlees.  You’d think I would have taken some pictures when I knew they were closing but maybe I was in denial or something.   It wasn’t until it was gone that I realised how much I missed it (que Cinderella song).   I remember as a kid I loved being able to afford the 1¢ gumball machines by the front doors, the way the decorated the entrance for holidays and even the smell of popcorn from the snack bar.  As an adult, it was a pleasant place to shop and although I will give Target thumbs up to being it’s contemporary, there was still something about Bradlees that was really nice.
Some more pictures that Joseph took at the Framingham Bradlees:

Some treasures from my personal collection:
  
I know I have a plastic bag somewhere too.  I’d also be willing to bet money my mom (who is notorious for returning things that I don’t know why she bought in the first place) has a Bradlees receipt in one of her old pocketbooks, not that any of this really has any value but it is kind of fun to find things from an extinct store.

Also, even though this isn’t Framingham related I got a kick out of this old Bradlees commercial featuring John Havlicek, Dave Cowens, and Don Nelson with Johnny Most narrating.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bewek4DUNGE

As I’ve mentioned these stills were taken from a video camera in a moving car and these screen shots were, believe it or not, the best I could get from this tape.  The reason I’m posting these is because I’ve had a few requests from people who would like to see them and even through the blurriness, I found these to evoke crystal clear images in my head of how these places really looked, it’s funny how  the brain works with what it gets. So hopefully someone can also get some enjoyment from these shots. 

Classic dome of Jordan Marsh

The Jordan Marsh Car Care Center

Caldor (and CVS to the far right)

This one I think is the worst picture but I would have totally forgot about the Mr. Donut on route 9 if I hadn’t seen this.

The hotel that was where Trader Joe’s is now.

 Also, even though it’s not Framingham I could’t resist posting some of Natick. 
Sears with it’s multiple flags

Side entrance of the mall next to Anderson-Little

Of course the legendary York’s Steak house.

Star Market where the Container Store is now.

Thats it really for Route 9 footage.  I owe you Mitch : )