Club 338: Home of the ZodiacsA Lenny Zeltser projectContactMethodPrint

The records

Every record behind the story, in chapter order, with where it was found and a link where one exists.

Chapter 1. The sign under the sign Read this chapter in the story.

2026

  • Low angle of the brick facade. A black board in a yellow frame runs across the lower third, with cream letters on it.

    The facade from below, with the painted board across the lower third

    Photograph by the author, September 2026

  • A black painted board above a teal storefront, with hand-cut cream letters reading PUPPET WORKS. Yellow accordion grilles cover the window below it.

    The theater’s own sign, in the same black and cream as the board

    The theater’s own sign on the Fourth Street side: black board, cream letters, yellow frame, like the Club 338 board. Photograph by the author, September 2026

  • The storefront straight on. The painted board sits above a teal front, yellow window grilles and a red door.

    The board above the teal storefront, the yellow grilles and the red door

    Photograph by the author, September 2026

  • “after Forty Years in Park Slope, our building has been sold to a developer”

    Puppetworks

    Citation
    What it is
    Puppetworks homepage, with the banner on the building’s sale
    Who made it
    Puppetworks
    When
    Captured by the Internet Archive on May 18, 2026
    Where to find it
    The Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine
    Online
    The archived homepage

Chapter 2. Puppetworks Read this chapter in the story.

1990 to 2026

  • The corner storefront in daylight. A black PUPPETWORKS sign is over the Sixth Avenue front, and a second is around the corner. Below them are yellow window grilles and a red door.

    The corner storefront under the PUPPETWORKS signs, in daylight

    Joe Shlabotnik, June 2013. Flickr, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

    Citation
    What it is
    “Puppetworks”, a photograph of the corner storefront under the theater’s signs
    Who made it
    Joe Shlabotnik, on Flickr
    When
    June 18, 2013
    Where to find it
    Flickr, under a Creative Commons license, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
    Online
    The photograph on Flickr
    The license
  • The Sixth Avenue front under the PUPPETWORKS sign. Both display windows are full of puppets, and a line of children is going in at the door.

    The storefront under the PUPPETWORKS sign, with puppets in both display windows

    Puppetworks, about 2000, restored. From the theater’s website, via the Internet Archive

    Citation
    What it is
    Photograph of the storefront, from the theater’s website
    Who made it
    Puppetworks
    When
    About 2000. Captured by the Internet Archive on August 26, 2000
    Where to find it
    The Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine. Restored from the 406-pixel original in the Internet Archive. Colors and fine detail differ from the original.
    Online
    The archived photograph
    The unrestored original
  • A newspaper listings column headed Activities for Kids. The first entry begins PUPPETWORKS and names a March 2 opening at 338 Sixth Ave.

    A listings column announcing a Puppetworks production opening March 2 at 338 Sixth Avenue

    The Phoenix, February 28, 1990

    Citation
    What it is
    Listings column announcing a Puppetworks production opening March 2 at 338 Sixth Avenue
    Who made it
    The Phoenix, the Park Slope weekly
    When
    February 28, 1990
    Where to find it
    The Phoenix archive at DigiFind-It
    Identifier
    Page 16
    Online
    The issue at DigiFind-It

  • Deed of November 5, 1997, Togo Trading Corp. to the current owner of record

    Office of the City Register, City of New York

    Citation
    What it is
    Deed for 338 Sixth Avenue, Togo Trading Corp. to the current owner of record
    Who made it
    Office of the City Register, City of New York
    When
    Dated November 5, 1997, recorded December 24, 1997
    Where to find it
    The city register’s document search
    Identifier
    Reel 4089, pages 889 to 890. ACRIS document id FT_3710005879871
    Online
    The record on ACRIS

  • An interview with the founder of Puppetworks, 2024

    Kelley Macdonald

    Citation
    What it is
    Interview with Nicolas Coppola of Puppetworks
    Who made it
    Kelley Macdonald
    When
    2024
    Where to find it
    Published on Substack
    Online
    The interview

Chapter 3. The Park Slope Salon Read this chapter in the story.

1982 to 1988

  • A grainy newspaper photograph of two people seated in a storefront with a violin. A printed caption below names the Park Slope salon.

    Interior photograph accompanying the illustrated feature on the Park Slope Salon

    The Phoenix, March 17, 1983

    Citation
    What it is
    Interior photograph with the illustrated feature on the Park Slope Salon
    Who made it
    The Phoenix
    When
    March 17, 1983
    Where to find it
    The Phoenix archive at DigiFind-It
    Identifier
    Pages 7 and 8
    Online
    The issue at DigiFind-It
  • A newspaper listing headed Slope Salon November Events, naming a storefront at the corner of 6th Ave. and 4th St.

    “Slope Salon November Events”

    The Phoenix, October 28, 1982

    Citation
    What it is
    Listing, Slope Salon November Events, at the corner of 6th Ave. and 4th St.
    Who made it
    The Phoenix
    When
    October 28, 1982
    Where to find it
    The Phoenix archive at DigiFind-It
    Identifier
    Page 16
    Online
    The issue at DigiFind-It
  • A Facebook post by the Park Slope Salon page, dated March 24, 2019, on how the salon began. Under it, Risa Johnson replies: That is true.

    “We served free wine charged 1 dollar admission and opened only on Monday”

    Park Slope Salon Facebook page, March 24, 2019

    Citation
    What it is
    Post on the Park Slope Salon’s Facebook page, recalling how the salon began
    Who made it
    Park Slope Salon (Ed Rollin)
    When
    March 24, 2019
    Where to find it
    Facebook
    Online
    The salon’s page
  • A city tax photograph of the corner building. Over the storefront is a dark sign board with a white stripe, and a striped awning below it. A plate below reads 338 6 Avenue.

    A dark sign board with a white stripe and a striped awning, where the Club 338 board is now

    Tax photograph, 1980s. NYC Municipal Archives

    Citation
    What it is
    Tax photograph of block 985, lot 43, the storefront under a dark, two-tone sign board
    Who made it
    City of New York
    When
    1980s. The frame carries no date of its own.
    Where to find it
    New York City Municipal Archives
    Identifier
    Record REC0041_3_00985_0043
    Online
    The Municipal Archives portal

  • Deed of August 11, 1988, 366 4th St. Corp. to Togo Trading Corp.

    Office of the City Register, City of New York

    Citation
    What it is
    Deed for 338 Sixth Avenue, 366 4th St. Corp. to Togo Trading Corp.
    Who made it
    Office of the City Register, City of New York
    When
    Dated August 11, 1988, recorded August 19, 1988
    Where to find it
    The city register’s document search
    Identifier
    Reel 2263, pages 250 to 251. ACRIS document id FT_3100001390010
    Online
    The record on ACRIS

  • A 2014 newspaper profile of the owner who bought the building in 1988

    Liz Goodman, Monterey News

    Citation
    What it is
    Who’s Who in Monterey, a profile of the owner who bought the building in 1988
    Who made it
    Liz Goodman, Monterey News
    When
    January 2014
    Where to find it
    Internet Archive
    Identifier
    Pages 10 to 12
    Online
    The issue at the Internet Archive

Chapter 4. El Sombrero Rojo Read this chapter in the story.

1975 to 1982

  • El Sombrero Rojo Inc., a corporation filed in January 1975

    New York State Department of State

    Citation
    What it is
    Certificate of incorporation, El Sombrero Rojo Inc.
    Who made it
    New York State Department of State
    When
    Filed January 1975, dissolved by proclamation in December 1982
    Where to find it
    The state’s corporation and business entity database

  • Deed of December 5, 1974, Thomas and Catherine McMahon to the 1974 buyers

    Office of the City Register, City of New York

    Citation
    What it is
    Deed for 338 Sixth Avenue, Thomas and Catherine McMahon to the 1974 buyers
    Who made it
    Office of the City Register, City of New York
    When
    Dated December 5, 1974, recorded December 18, 1974
    Where to find it
    The city register’s document search
    Identifier
    Reel 753, pages 1354 to 1355. ACRIS document id BK_7430075301354
    Online
    The record on ACRIS

  • Deed of 1975, one of the 1974 buyers to the other

    Office of the City Register, City of New York

    Citation
    What it is
    Deed for 338 Sixth Avenue, one of the 1974 buyers to the other
    Who made it
    Office of the City Register, City of New York
    When
    1975
    Where to find it
    Known from the city register’s index. The instrument itself has not been read.

  • Deed of May 7, 1979, the 1974 buyer to the 1979 buyer

    Office of the City Register, City of New York

    Citation
    What it is
    Deed for 338 Sixth Avenue, the 1974 buyer to the 1979 buyer
    Who made it
    Office of the City Register, City of New York
    When
    Dated May 7, 1979, recorded May 11, 1979
    Where to find it
    The city register’s document search
    Identifier
    Reel 1071, pages 1974 to 1975. ACRIS document id BK_7930107101971
    Online
    The record on ACRIS

  • Deed of June 22, 1981, the 1979 buyer to his company, 366 4th St. Corp.

    Office of the City Register, City of New York

    Citation
    What it is
    Deed for 338 Sixth Avenue, the 1979 buyer to his company, 366 4th St. Corp.
    Who made it
    Office of the City Register, City of New York
    When
    June 22, 1981, recorded June 25, 1981
    Where to find it
    The city register’s document search
    Identifier
    Reel 1246, pages 1521 to 1522. ACRIS document id BK_8130124601521
    Online
    The record on ACRIS

Chapter 5. Club 338 in the directories Read this chapter in the story.

1973 to 1975

  • Rows from a street directory. One row reads, star, OCONNORS BAR and GRILL, with the number 7889168. The row above reads 338 JOHN OCONNOR, HY90944.

    “*OCONNORS BAR&GRILL 7889168”

    Cole’s Brooklyn directory, 1972. Brooklyn Public Library

    Citation
    What it is
    Cole’s Brooklyn criss-cross directory, 1972 volume, the entries around 338 Sixth Avenue
    Who made it
    Cole Publications
    When
    1972 volume
    Where to find it
    Consulted at Brooklyn Public Library, Central Library. There is no online copy. A librarian photographed the page.
    Identifier
    The 6TH AV address section
  • Rows from the same street directory a year later. The row now reads 338, star, CLUB 338, with a hollow square and the same number, 7889168.

    “338*CLUB 338 ¤7889168”

    Cole’s Brooklyn directory, 1973. Brooklyn Public Library

    Citation
    What it is
    Cole’s Brooklyn criss-cross directory, 1973 volume, the entries around 338 Sixth Avenue
    Who made it
    Cole Publications
    When
    1973 volume
    Where to find it
    Consulted at Brooklyn Public Library, Central Library. There is no online copy. A librarian photographed the page.
    Identifier
    The 6TH AV address section
  • A classified column. One advertisement reads Bar Maids full or part time. No Exp. Necessary. St. 8-9168. 338 6 Ave. Bklyn.

    “Bar Maids full or part time. No Exp. Necessary. St. 8-9168 338 6 Ave. Bklyn”

    New York Amsterdam News, July 21, 1973

    Citation
    What it is
    Classified advertisement for barmaids, giving the telephone number and the address
    Who made it
    New York Amsterdam News
    When
    July 21, 1973
    Where to find it
    Newspapers.com, by subscription
    Identifier
    Page 35, image 1133918152
    Online
    The page at Newspapers.com
  • A classified column. One advertisement reads BAR-MAID PART-Time. No Experience Necessary. ST 8-9168 Bklyn. A second barmaid advertisement sits below it on another number.

    “BAR-MAID PART-Time. No Experience Necessary. ST 8-9168 Bklyn.”

    New York Amsterdam News, November 16, 1974

    Citation
    What it is
    Classified advertisement for a part-time barmaid on the club’s telephone number
    Who made it
    New York Amsterdam News
    When
    November 16, 1974
    Where to find it
    Newspapers.com, by subscription
    Identifier
    Page 30
  • Three lines of small print from the head of a directory page. A hollow square means a new listing to the directory. A dash means a new listing to that street, and TZ means trading zone.

    The legend for the hollow square, the dash and TZ

    Cole’s Brooklyn directory, 1974, the symbol legend. Brooklyn Public Library

    Citation
    What it is
    The symbol legend printed at the head of Cole’s directory pages
    Who made it
    Cole Publications
    When
    1974 volume
    Where to find it
    Consulted at Brooklyn Public Library, Central Library. There is no online copy. A librarian photographed the page.
    Identifier
    The head of the 6TH AV address section
  • Rows from the same street directory a year on. One row reads 338, star, CLUB 338, and the row under it reads JOHN OCONNOR.

    “338*CLUB 338”

    Cole’s Brooklyn directory, 1974. Brooklyn Public Library

    Citation
    What it is
    Cole’s Brooklyn criss-cross directory, 1974 volume, the entries around 338 Sixth Avenue
    Who made it
    Cole Publications
    When
    1974 volume
    Where to find it
    Consulted at Brooklyn Public Library, Central Library. There is no online copy. A librarian photographed the page.
    Identifier
    The 6TH AV address section
  • Rows from a telephone company address directory. The only entry at 338 is O’Connor John, and the rows under it are at 340 and 342.

    “338 O’Connor John”

    New York Telephone Company address directory, July 18, 1975. Center for Brooklyn History

    Citation
    What it is
    Brooklyn address directory, July 1975, the entries at 338 with no club among them
    Who made it
    New York Telephone Company
    When
    Edition dated July 18, 1975
    Where to find it
    Consulted on microfilm at the Center for Brooklyn History
    Identifier
    Page footer 7-18-75 BKLYN-591
  • A cream microfilm reel box on a wooden table. Its printed label reads Brooklyn Address, Criss Cross, Directory, number 53, and 1975 July.

    “BROOKLYN ADDRESS (CRISS CROSS) DIRECTORY, #53, 1975 July”

    Microfilm reel box, Center for Brooklyn History, photographed September 2026

    Citation
    What it is
    The microfilm reel box for the July 1975 Brooklyn address directory
    Who made it
    Photographed by the author
    When
    Photographed September 2026
    Where to find it
    Center for Brooklyn History
    Identifier
    Reel 53, Brooklyn address (criss cross) directory, 1975 July

Chapter 6. Who were the Zodiacs? Read this chapter in the story.

About 1973

  • Close view of the painted board from below. Cream letters read CLUB 338 / HOME OF THE · ZODIACS.

    “CLUB 338 / HOME OF THE · ZODIACS”

    Photograph by the author, September 2026

  • A paragraph from a 1926 newspaper report. It says a new boys’ club was organized at the Bay Ridge branch. The name chosen is the Zodiac Athletic Club.

    “A new boys’ club was organized at the Bay Ridge branch on Monday evening. The name chosen is the Zodiac Athletic Club of Bay Ridge Y.”

    Brooklyn Daily Eagle, May 14, 1926

    Citation
    What it is
    Report of a new boys’ club at the Bay Ridge YMCA, named the Zodiac Athletic Club
    Who made it
    Brooklyn Daily Eagle
    When
    May 14, 1926
    Where to find it
    Fulton History
    Identifier
    Page A9

  • “Corsairs, Zodiacs Win Community Cage Tilts. In Public School 208 Community basketball center games, the Corsairs won over Wiania, 25-12, and Zodiacs topped St. Jerome, 34-24.”

    Brooklyn Eagle

    Citation
    What it is
    Community basketball results naming a Zodiacs team at Public School 208
    Who made it
    Brooklyn Eagle
    When
    December 10, 1947
    Where to find it
    Newspapers.com, by subscription
    Identifier
    Page 22
  • A short bowling column headed Brooklyn United League. It names a Zodiacs team and five rivals, the Termites, Just Pals, Eagles, Pirates and Diablos.

    “Town Hill leads the loop with Termites, Just Pals, Eagles, Pirates and Diablos following.”

    New York Amsterdam News, February 26, 1966

    Citation
    What it is
    Bowling results naming a Zodiacs team in a Brooklyn league
    Who made it
    New York Amsterdam News
    When
    February 26, 1966
    Where to find it
    Fulton History
  • A newspaper listing that bills Cecil Payne on baritone sax, with a singer and the Jazz Zodiacs. The place is Brooklyn Happenings, in front of Borough Hall.

    “plus Jazz Zodiacs, at Brooklyn Happenings, in front of Borough Hall, Friday June 15, 12-4 p.m.”

    The Phoenix, June 14, 1973

    Citation
    What it is
    Listing for Cecil Payne and the Jazz Zodiacs at Brooklyn Happenings
    Who made it
    The Phoenix
    When
    June 14, 1973
    Where to find it
    The Phoenix archive at DigiFind-It
    Identifier
    Page 16
    Online
    The issue at DigiFind-It
  • A paragraph of box-score prose. It reports that two home runs aided the Zodiacs to shade the Aces, 8 to 7.

    “aided the Zodiacs to shade the Aces, 8-7”

    New York Amsterdam News, May 25, 1974

    Citation
    What it is
    Softball results naming a Zodiacs team in a women’s league
    Who made it
    New York Amsterdam News
    When
    May 25, 1974
    Where to find it
    Fulton History
    Identifier
    Page D21

  • Twenty entities are named ZODIACS, none in Kings County before 2019. The other searches return each Zodiac corporation named here, and 338 Social Club, Inc.

    New York State Department of State

    Citation
    What it is
    New York State corporation and business entity database, name searches for ZODIACS, ZODIAC and CLUB 338
    Who made it
    New York State Department of State
    When
    Searched September 2026
    Where to find it
    The state’s corporation and business entity database

  • Interviews recorded at the reunion held at Fourth Street and Sixth Avenue, August 9, 2025

    Park Slope Old Timers

    Citation
    What it is
    Park Slope Old Timers oral history interviews, recorded at the 2025 reunion
    Who made it
    Park Slope Old Timers
    When
    Recorded August 9, 2025
    Where to find it
    The project’s own site
    Online
    The audio stories

Chapter 7. O’Connors Bar & Grill Read this chapter in the story.

1958 to 1972

  • A license notice. It says number 2RL-13150 has been issued to sell liquor at retail at 338 6th Ave., Brooklyn. It is signed JOHN O’CONNOR.

    license 2RL-13150, John O’Connor, 338 6th Ave., Brooklyn

    License notice, 1958

    Citation
    What it is
    Notice of application for license 2RL-13150, John O’Connor, 338 6th Ave., Brooklyn
    Who made it
    The Williamsburg News
    When
    April 11, 1958
    Where to find it
    Fulton History
    Identifier
    Page 3
    Online
    The page at Fulton History
  • A crop from a Brooklyn telephone directory page, headed BROOKLYN, showing a column of O’Connor entries. The print is coarse.

    “O’Connor John 338 6Av”

    Brooklyn telephone directory, January 1967

    Citation
    What it is
    Brooklyn telephone directory, the entry O’Connor John 338 6Av
    Who made it
    New York Telephone Company
    When
    1967 volume, canvassed January 26, 1967
    Where to find it
    Brooklyn Public Library, Brooklyn Collection, scanned by the Internet Archive
    Identifier
    Call number NM 917.4723 B872, leaf n505
    Online
    The directory at the Internet Archive

  • Deed of October 26, 1964, James S. Lavern to Thomas and Catherine McMahon

    Office of the City Register, City of New York

    Citation
    What it is
    Deed for 338 Sixth Avenue, also known as 366 Fourth Street, to Thomas and Catherine McMahon
    Who made it
    Office of the City Register, City of New York
    When
    Dated October 26, 1964, recorded October 27, 1964
    Where to find it
    Office of the City Register, Kings County. Conveyances from before 1966 are not served as images.
    Identifier
    Liber 9314 of Conveyances, page 468

  • Foreclosure notice advertising a sale for July 31, 1964

    World-Telegram and Sun

    Citation
    What it is
    Foreclosure notice advertising a sale for July 31, 1964
    Who made it
    World-Telegram and Sun
    When
    July 24, 1964
    Where to find it
    Fulton History
    Identifier
    Page B2
    Online
    The page at Fulton History
  • A classified column headed Brooklyn. One entry offers a building at 6 Av and 4 St as 3 fam and bar, with parking.

    “3 fam & bar”

    Daily News, March 25, 1966

    Citation
    What it is
    Advertisement offering the building for sale as 3 fam & bar
    Who made it
    Daily News
    When
    March 25, 1966
    Where to find it
    Newspapers.com, by subscription
    Identifier
    Page 114
  • A classified column of Brooklyn listings. One entry reads Park Slope, 6 Av and 4 St, 3 fam and store.

    “Park Slope-6 Av & 4 St. 3 fam & store”

    Daily News, October 30, 1967

    Citation
    What it is
    Advertisement offering the building for sale as 3 fam & store
    Who made it
    Daily News
    When
    October 30, 1967
    Where to find it
    Newspapers.com, by subscription
    Identifier
    Page 75
  • Rows from a street directory. One row reads, star, OCONNORS BAR and GRILL, with the number 7889168. The row above reads 338 JOHN OCONNOR, HY90944.

    “*OCONNORS BAR&GRILL 7889168”

    Cole’s Brooklyn directory, 1971. Brooklyn Public Library

    Citation
    What it is
    Cole’s Brooklyn criss-cross directory, 1971 volume, the entries around 338 Sixth Avenue
    Who made it
    Cole Publications
    When
    1971 volume
    Where to find it
    Consulted at Brooklyn Public Library, Central Library. There is no online copy. A librarian photographed the page.
    Identifier
    The 6TH AV address section

Chapter 8. Fitzgerald’s, and O’Reilly before it Read this chapter in the story.

1947 to 1958

  • License 2RL-11594, Patrick Joseph Fitzgerald and George Michael Nagle, doing business as Fitzgerald’s, 338 Sixth Avenue

    Brooklyn Daily

    Citation
    What it is
    Notice of license 2RL-11594, Patrick Joseph Fitzgerald and George Michael Nagle, doing business as Fitzgerald’s
    Who made it
    Brooklyn Daily
    When
    March 8, 1957
    Where to find it
    Fulton History
    Identifier
    Page 18
    Online
    The page at Fulton History
  • A license notice for number 2RL-11594 at 338 6th Ave. It names Patrick Joseph Fitzgerald and George Michael Nagle, trading as Fitzgerald’s.

    2RL-11594, Patrick Joseph Fitzgerald and George Michael Nagle, trading as Fitzgerald’s, 338 6th Ave., Brooklyn

    License notice, 1953

    Citation
    What it is
    Notice of application for license 2RL-11594, Patrick Joseph Fitzgerald and George Michael Nagle, trading as Fitzgerald’s
    Who made it
    The Williamsburg News
    When
    January 9, 1953
    Where to find it
    Fulton History
    Identifier
    Page 6
    Online
    The page at Fulton History

  • License 2RL6585, George A. O’Reilly, 338 Sixth Avenue

    Brooklyn Heights Press

    Citation
    What it is
    Notice of liquor license 2RL6585, George A. O’Reilly, 338 Sixth Avenue
    Who made it
    Brooklyn Heights Press
    When
    March 20, 1952
    Where to find it
    Brooklyn Heights Press
    Identifier
    Page 5

  • Restaurant liquor license RL3101, George A. O’Reilly, 338 Sixth Avenue

    Laisvė

    Citation
    What it is
    Notice of restaurant liquor license RL3101, George A. O’Reilly, 338 Sixth Avenue
    Who made it
    Laisvė
    When
    March 10, 1947
    Where to find it
    Laisvė, a Brooklyn daily newspaper
    Identifier
    Page 4

Chapter 9. Three households upstairs Read this chapter in the story.

1930 to 1950

  • A strip of a handwritten 1940 census sheet. Line 44 carries the house number 366 and the head of household Colella, Donato. Two more households follow.

    House number 366, lines 44 to 61, three households

    Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, ED 24-1225, sheet 16B. National Archives

    Citation
    What it is
    Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, Brooklyn, enumeration district 24-1225
    Who made it
    United States Bureau of the Census
    When
    Enumerated April 1940
    Where to find it
    National Archives and Records Administration
    Identifier
    Microfilm T627, roll 2578, sheet 16B, lines 44 to 61
    Online
    The sheet at the National Archives
    The enumeration district description
  • A tax photograph of the corner building around 1940. The ground floor is a grocery with Roulstons lettered across both fronts and goods stacked in the windows.

    The corner building around 1940, the ground floor a grocery

    Tax photograph, c.1940. NYC Municipal Archives

    Citation
    What it is
    Tax photograph of block 985, lot 43, the Roulston grocery on the corner
    Who made it
    City of New York
    When
    Circa 1940
    Where to find it
    New York City Municipal Archives
    Identifier
    Record group REC0040, block 985, lot 43
    Online
    The Municipal Archives portal
  • A close view of the grocery on the corner around 1940. Panels reading GROCERIES and VEGETABLES flank the Roulstons fascia. Price cards fill the windows, and cans stand on crates at the kerb.

    GROCERIES, RoulstonS and VEGETABLES across the fascia, with the price cards in the windows

    Tax photograph, c.1940, the storefront at full size. NYC Municipal Archives

    Citation
    What it is
    Tax photograph of block 985, lot 43, the storefront at full size
    Who made it
    City of New York
    When
    Circa 1940
    Where to find it
    New York City Municipal Archives
    Identifier
    Record group REC0040, block 985, lot 43
    Online
    The Municipal Archives portal
  • A typed certificate giving the address as 338 6th avenue, southwest corner 4th street, block 985 lot 43. The permit number NB 622/1891 is typed under it.

    Certificate of Occupancy 110744, issued July 7, 1944

    Certificate of Occupancy 110744, July 7, 1944. NYC Department of Buildings

    Citation
    What it is
    Certificate of Occupancy 110744, a store and three families
    Who made it
    Department of Housing and Buildings, City of New York
    When
    Issued July 7, 1944
    Where to find it
    New York City Department of Buildings, in the Buildings Information System
    Identifier
    Certificate 110744, BIN 3021213, block 985, lot 43
    Online
    The property profile
    The building at HPD Online

  • Marriage license of 1925, found in four Brooklyn papers

    Brooklyn Daily Eagle and Brooklyn Daily Times, among four Brooklyn papers

    Citation
    What it is
    Marriage license notice of 1925, printed in four Brooklyn papers
    Who made it
    Brooklyn Daily Eagle and Brooklyn Daily Times, among four Brooklyn papers
    When
    December 11, 1925
    Where to find it
    The marriage license columns of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle and the Brooklyn Daily Times, December 11, 1925

Chapter 10. The grocers Read this chapter in the story.

1891 to 1931

  • A newspaper front page. The headline reads BANDITS HOLD UP GROCERY, GET $53, over a line about two well dressed armed robbers.

    “BANDITS HOLD UP GROCERY, GET $53. Two Well Dressed Armed Robbers Make Escape from Brooklyn Chain Store”

    The Evening Telegram, August 21, 1922

    Citation
    What it is
    BANDITS HOLD UP GROCERY, GET $53
    Who made it
    The Evening Telegram, New York
    When
    August 21, 1922
    Where to find it
    Fulton History
    Identifier
    Front page
    Online
    The page at Fulton History
    The Brooklyn Standard Union of the same day
  • A newspaper front page. The headline reads Roulston Store Bandits Get $53. Under the story a second headline reads Brooklyn Saloons Raided, One Dry Agent Assaulted.

    “two armed bandits to-day ransacked the Thomas Roulston store”

    Brooklyn Standard Union, August 21, 1922

    Citation
    What it is
    Front-page report of the holdup at the Roulston store, naming a different manager
    Who made it
    Brooklyn Standard Union
    When
    August 21, 1922
    Where to find it
    Fulton History
    Identifier
    Front page. Fulton History scan 1922-5353
    Online
    The page at Fulton History
  • A dense classified column from 1904. One short line advertises for a boy of about 16 to work in a grocery store at 338 Sixth av.

    A help-wanted line for a boy of about 16 for a grocery at 338 Sixth Avenue, Brooklyn

    Brooklyn Daily Eagle, October 13, 1904

    Citation
    What it is
    Classified advertisement for a boy of about 16 for the grocery at 338 Sixth Avenue
    Who made it
    Brooklyn Daily Eagle
    When
    October 13, 1904
    Where to find it
    Fulton History
    Identifier
    Page 18
    Online
    The page at Fulton History

  • New building permit NB 622/1891, cited on the 1944 certificate of occupancy

    Department of Buildings, City of New York

    Citation
    What it is
    New building permit NB 622/1891, cited on the 1944 certificate of occupancy
    Who made it
    Department of Buildings, City of New York
    When
    1891, as cited on the certificate issued in 1944
    Where to find it
    Read from Certificate of Occupancy 110744. No separate permit document has been found.
    Identifier
    NB 622/1891

  • Three spellings of the grocer’s surname at 338 6th av., in the 1903 directory

    George Upington

    Citation
    What it is
    Upington’s General Directory of Brooklyn, New York City, for the year 1903
    Who made it
    George Upington
    When
    1903
    Where to find it
    Internet Archive
    Identifier
    Leaves n91, n94 and n96
    Online
    The directory at the Internet Archive

  • “Bolnau, Chas. Jr., grocer, 338 6th av”

    Brooklyn city directory

    Citation
    What it is
    Brooklyn city directory for 1897, the entry for the grocer at 338 Sixth Avenue
    Who made it
    Brooklyn city directory
    When
    1897
    Where to find it
    Fulton History, the Brooklyn city directory file for 1896 to 1898
    Identifier
    Page 129
    Online
    The directory at Fulton History

  • A 2023 guide that dates the group of houses at 338 to 356 Sixth Avenue to 1891

    Historic Districts Council

    Citation
    What it is
    Center Slope, a Six to Celebrate guide
    Who made it
    Historic Districts Council
    When
    2023
    Where to find it
    Historic Districts Council
    Online
    The guide
  • A newspaper column. The headline reads Lone Bandit Gets $100 In Grocery Store Holdup. Two paragraphs below it describe a holdup at the Thomas Roulston grocery store at 338 Sixth avenue.

    “A tall, dark, well-dressed man entered the Thomas Roulston grocery store at 338 Sixth avenue soon after the manager, Philip Leary, and two clerks had opened it at 7:30 A. M. to-day, aimed a gun, looted the cash register of $100 and escaped afoot.”

    Brooklyn Standard Union, March 8, 1928

    Citation
    What it is
    Lone Bandit Gets $100 In Grocery Store Holdup, a report of the holdup at the Roulston store
    Who made it
    Brooklyn Standard Union
    When
    March 8, 1928
    Where to find it
    Fulton History, Brooklyn Standard Union, 1928
    Identifier
    Page 1
  • A short newspaper paragraph listing holdups. One line reads holdup of a Roulston store at 338 Sixth avenue, Oct. 26, $75.

    “holdup of a Roulston store at 338 Sixth avenue, Oct. 26, $75”

    Brooklyn Standard Union, January 5, 1931

    Citation
    What it is
    Confession report listing a holdup of the Roulston store at 338 Sixth avenue
    Who made it
    Brooklyn Standard Union
    When
    January 5, 1931
    Where to find it
    Fulton History
    Identifier
    The Brooklyn Standard Union for 1931
    Online
    The 1931 volume at Fulton History