Belle Santora correctly identified the mystery picture in the June 9 issue of the Enterprise Pilot. She said, “It’s the beautiful landmark building, Snouder’s Corner Drugstore just sitting there and I’m sick over it. Something has to be done with it. I’d like to see it like it used to be, with a number one telephone number in Oyster Bay. It was 922-0001. I’m not sure what the first two numbers were. [It might have been Walnut, the previous exchange name.] They used to deliver messages to Teddy because nobody there had a phone.
“I loved it when the Snouder’s had it and Dr. Hubbard was there and Julie, his daughter, who was in school with my son Joseph. They were like brother and sister.
Belle Santora Knows Oyster Bay
“So Belle Santora knows Oyster Bay. I should. I came with the Indians! I want them to restore that corner!”
Billy Minicozzi said, “It might be the penny and nickel store in Oyster Bay.” He was looking forward to the upcoming fire district drill and parade saying, “Hopefully the Bayville firemen will win two trophies, one in the drill and one in the parade.”
Marg Buffa of Bayville too called and said, “It’s Snouder’s. Oh how we miss Snouder’s.” She said in the Enterprise Pilot, Snouder’s was pictured on the page after the mystery picture showing it decorated with an American Flag for Memorial Day.
“But, I knew it anyway, having lived in Oyster Bay for many years.”
“After all of the things Eugene King and Frank Genovese did to make it more original and repaint it – then to have it close when it is such a part of the history of Oyster Bay. I would like to see someone keep it. I guess the drugstores are being pushed out by the chains. But to keep it in the era of Teddy Roosevelt and to keep the quaintliness of Oyster Bay would keep the whole feel of Oyster Bay’s downtown.”
Bob Kraupner, of Oyster Bay correctly identified the photo as Snouder’s Corner Drugstore. He said he lived in Bayville for a long time… “Since I was a baby, that is 79 plus years ago. I used to go to Oyster Bay quite frequently and passed Snouder’s. My Uncle Joe and my father George, were both pharmacists as I am and they would go in and talk to the pharmacist there. I would listen to them talk. They talked to old-timers about the old pharmacy and that was interesting.
“I graduated from St. John’s University.
“I worked in north Brooklyn, about five blocks from the Queens border. My father and Uncle Joe worked there since 1924. Brooklyn was where St. John’s was located. Then I was in the army for a year and half in Germany and joined them after that. It has been a very enriching life. First working in a pharmacy and then to be with father and Uncle Joe. People loved them because they were people-people who loved dealing with people and helping them with their problems.”
[It was a pleasure to chat with Mr. Kraupner.]
Tony Pilla, longtime OB resident now living in Anniston, Alabama said in an email, “I think this week’s mystery picture is the old Snouder’s Drugstore at the corner of West Main Street and South Street.”
The next email was from an OBHS graduate. “I’d like to give this one a shot. It appears to be taken at the intersection of South Street and Audrey Ave. It looks like Snouder’s Corner. Greetings from the Pacific Northwest,” said Rich Mancini of the Oyster Bay High School Class of 1968.
Wow! Snouder’s touched off some great responses. Many thanks to our loyal readers. – DFK
