Westside Stories reopens with new owners

 

It’s time for new owner Keri Thomas-Whiteside, left, to turn the page at Westside Stories Used Books, 398 Grant St. at the corner of Garner Street, as she checks out the first customer, Lucy Waite, at the reopened bookstore. After being closed for six weeks due to the ownership change, the West Side bookstore reopened on Nov. 5. Thomas-Whiteside and her husband Bob Whiteside, West Side residents, are the new owners and had been regulars at the bookstore for several years. “Making sure it stayed on the West Side, that it stayed local, we just wanted to make sure we kept it in good hands,” Thomas-Whiteside said. Thomas-Whiteside said that it is very personal to her and the West Side community. “We were all part of it in a way,” she said. “We sold books there, we were customers there. In the early days, there were times that there would be an emergency and I would go in and run the store." Bob Whiteside said that it is important to keep the bookstore on the West Side for the community. “It’s a big thing for the neighborhood. Available books for everybody,” he said. “All different kinds of genres, definitely with an eye on the neighborhood and people walking and coming by.” Most of Westside Stories’ books are under $10, Thomas-Whiteside said. Hours for the store are 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturdays; and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sundays. By Jason Guth and Kyle Wekenmann

Westside Stories, Grant and Garner streets

Thanksgiving side dishes only at this lunch

Big Big Table, 272 Hudson St., is giving the West Side a new approach to Thanksgiving this year.

Big Big Table is providing the community with Sidesgiving, a Thanksgiving lunch without turkey from 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Nov. 17,  giving a twist to Thanksgiving and putting all the glory on the classic Thanksgiving dinner sides. The reason for no turkey is because of the lack of freezer space in the  kitchen. The cafe will not be open on Thanksgiving Day.

Employee Natasha Davrados recommends giving a warm meal as a gift for the upcoming holidays.

 “People can purchase meal tokens for $12, the same value of a meal. Come in buy a meal token and give to anyone as a present or just someone walking on the sidewalk. These tokens have the address on it and get people informed and in the door,” Davrados said.

Big Big Table is a pay-as-you-can restaurant as a means to address hunger in the community. It runs lunch service from 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. By Grace Blackwell and Alessia Gervasi

 

 

 

Salvation Army seeking food donations

 

 

Some of us enjoy celebrating the cold months by sipping a pumpkin flavored drink and munching on a crisp apple. Others enjoy spending their time and energy helping those in need. Many of these people volunteer with the Salvation Army. This is a charity service that urges people to donate whatever they can to their organization so that they can give it to those who need it. With the holidays approaching many locations are requesting food donations to help people who don’t have homes or the ability to prepare meals for themselves. One of these locations is run by Major Marta Arocho at 187 Grant St. Major Arocho urges people to donate turkeys, fruits, vegetables, and canned goods.  By Jason Guth and Kyle Wekenmann

Guercio & Sons looking for a buyer still

 

Sam Guercio is nearing retirement after running his family's business for 61 years.

Guercio & Sons, 250 Grant St.

Guerico & Sons, 250 Grant St., is still looking for the right people not only to buy  the grocery store and wholesale business but to join the family in being a staple in the community. “Our family will still be a part of the store during the new ownership, although I will be retiring officially,” said Sam Guercio, owner of Guercio & Sons since it was established in 1961. Guercio's put the business on the market back in 2019; it has been on and off the market and is officially back on the market as of April 2022. The business cannot stay in the family due to financial reasons “We need someone with more money to keep the business running and money to buy the products to fill the store,” Guercio said. COVID-19 affected the store financially. The storefront was kept in business but wholesale suffered a 40% loss. “We started with eight shipping trucks and eventually only had four because many restaurants had to close and never reopened,” Guercio said. The Guercios want the buyer to continue providing the West Sides cultural needs,  which include African, Italian and Hispanic stores and restaurants. By Grace Blackwell and Alessia Gervasi