Actually I miss the old greengrocers that used to be around. In the 6500 block of Cermak, that's between Gunderson and Scoville - two blocks west of where the Berwyn theatre used to be (and the Karmelkorn Shoppe!) there was our Drugstore and Soda Fountain on the Corner, then a shoe store, then a lawyer, then a greengrocer named Stundl who had potatos in burlap sacks sitting on the floor and a grandfather that would pick out five pounds for you, put them in a brown paper bag and weigh them in a balance scale with weights, then figure your bill on another bag writing with a pencil he kept behind his ear and sharpened with a penknife. He alwo sold butter and eggs, even "double yolkers" and sweet butter (is there any other kind?) that came in parchment lined tubs and that he scooped out onto another piece of parchment with a woden paddle and weighed. Next door was Wm. Shotola's meat market (not to be confused with his brother Charles Shotola which was further east and started Chateau Foods) and there they made and tied beautiful roasts, all kinds of sausages that most people wouldn't eat today, etc. There was a Czech import store with wonderful hard candies, Czech greeting cards and the best dried mushrooms - period. Then Stetina's bakery, which had great rye bread, two-pound rounds they set in flour to harden the bottom crust, beautiful Houska, wonderful butter horns, kolachki, etc. The thing about that block was, you could speak English or Czech in all the stores, and when you croaked from all the roast pork and ducks and butter ,Jos. Marek would bury you - just across the street.
Here's a tip for all you lovers of the old time. My wife goes to yoga at North Riverside, and there was a little round lady there last night - Anna by name - giving out samples of homemade appel strudel she makes and sells. I had some last night - this is the real McCoy - my aunt's could have made this. You get a big one with ten-twelve pieces for $12. bucks. Call Anna at 708 447-6297 and wow your relatives at Thanksgiving ,or anytime. This is the real deal - right out of the past. Love it - I just ordered mine. There's another pound or two for you Cherylb. Enjoy. And don't forget the homemade whipped cream - not the squirt stuff. This strudel deserves the best.