Vol. 135
A LOOK INSIDE Ontario implements stricter smoking ban PAgE 3 ________________ JettÕ s Blood Donor Clinic a success PAgE 3 _______________ ECHRS Celebrates Carnegie PAgE 19 ________________
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Issue No. 1
2014 – A Year in Review
Ravens football program leaves town PAgE 19 ________________ Essex teams shine at Hockey for Hospice annual tournament PAgE 23 ________________ Winter Classic tournament PAgE 24 ________________
Looking For A Good Home
“Suki” See Page 5 for adoption info.
The following are some of the news highlights in our community for 2014. JANUARY Two key businesses closed in Essex Centre at the start of last year. • Rizzo’s Crossing, located at the corner of Talbot and Victoria, served up its last meal on January
19. Lui Rizzo and his parents, Rita and Gennaro, founded Rizzo’s Crossing. Lui ran it with partner Tricia Kloppenburg. The restaurant and banquet facility was used by many businesses and organizations to host meetings and special events. Rizzo’s had around
30 employees, which included students. • The Grand Central Tavern also closed, as long-time owner, Carolyn Costin, retired. The Grand, located at 64 Talbot St. N, was an Essex landmark with origins dating back to the 1800’s.
Carolyn and Don Costin took over the business from Don’s father who bought it in 1947. According to historian and author Sharon Mulcaster, the original hotel was built in 1870 by Gordon Wigle as part of the stagecoach stop at the Taylor Farm near the present site of
Amico’s Motel. In 1873 it was moved to the present location and renamed the Palmerston Villa. It was renamed the American House in 1887 and the Grand Central Hotel in 1900. Five generations of the
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