32-34 Beekman Ave.
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1983
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Now for a tale of two ‘saw stores”: Much like
the healthy competition between wedge-
makers (those who produce that local
sandwich known elsewhere as the sub-
marine), hardware store owners on
Beekman would attempt to devise a win-
ning sales plan. Some Tarrytowners and
Sleepy-Hollowites still hear of a Mrs.
Geldern, who - along with her husband -
owned such a store at 86 Beekman Ave.
She continued to operate the business for
many years after his death. Picture now –
our Mrs. Geldern – sitting on a folding chair
in the store’s doorway (as below).
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(Photo: Daily News, a Gannett newspaper)
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Although some former customers recall her
store as way too messy, she did always
seem to know exactly where everything
was. Thus, if you needed an odd or unusual
part, you would likely try her store first. If
she didn’t have it, Mrs. Geldern might be
able to find something else – that would
work! Apparently an early proponent of
recycling, she would wrap any item you had
purchased – using old newspaper – no bag
was provided! While I don’t have an interior
shot of the store (although it is visible at:
https://tarrytowninmovies.yolasite.com ),
let’s examine now this neat wall display
inside “Ross Hardware” (below). Ross’s was
up the street a ways – occupying nos. 32-34.
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In 1970, as well as in prior years, the Ross
proprietor was Max Falber, pictured here (on
the left) next to employee John Given. Gerry
and Marilyn Bregman were to take charge
of the store later in the decade. (They would
eventually move the store to Valley St.) But
what exactly is my goal here? It is simple: to
reinforce the notion that North Tarrytown, in
those years, had enough customers to sup-
port the differing sales philosophies of both
merchants; not to mention, several addi-
tional hardware store proprietors within
the so-called tri-village area.
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Incidentally, Melvin Geldern, the couple’s
son, is also remembered today, but rather as
a World War II hero – killed-in-action.
Noting now the young 1930s “guttersnipes”
in the photo above, the boy yanking up his
trousers (right) is none other than our Mel-
vin. Daniel Mullane (far left, with the round
cap) was also killed-in-action in WW II. All
kids in this photo: (bottom row) Danny, John
Morabito, Aldo Ceconi; (top) Carl DiVivo,
Frank Paolantonio, Melvin. These additional
IDs were supplied by area local Joan Ceconi.
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”Geldern’s,” as it appeared in the pilot of the
1980s TV series, Tales from the Darkside!
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