Page 32 Tribune March 27 - April 2, 2014 • www.queenstribune.com
Platz Hardware:
A Long Time Staple In The Neighborhood BY TRISHA SAKHUJA Staff Writer David and Peter Lee of Platz Hardware say the secret to their success is balancing between the old and new ways. “We are really trying to maintain the mom-and-pop feel,” David said. The local hardware shop is one that all the locals know in the Ridgewood area because it has been around for the past 110 years. David spoke highly of what his and his brother’s shop has to offer the community, located at 62-25 Forest Ave., Ridgewood. He said he was intrigued to buy the store 15 years ago because he visited the shop as a child with his family. Being that Platz is a full-line hardware store, David said they carry everything from simple nuts and bolts to plumbing and electrical supplies. They also carry painting supplies, hand tools, garden supplies, housewares and fixtures. “We carry pretty much everything that we are expected to have,” he said. The hardware store carries a
large selection of do-ityourself supplies that can be used to spruce up parts of the house over the weekend, David said. Since the times are changing, David said they do offer many new products that are friendly to the new digital era. “We have increased the type of items sold, but we are still maintaining the old,” he said. “We have kept a balance Photo by Trisha Sakhuja between the old and the new.” Platz Hardware Store in Ridgewood has played The goal at Platz an essential role in the community’s hardware Hardware, David said, needs. is to try and turn the He said that nowadays there is a throw-it-away mentality to the fixgreater demand for electronics and and-salvage mentality. David said the customer service gardening materials and supplies. “A lot of people are going to selfthey offer is most important to their sustaining practices, like growing success. “That’s what sets us apart from their own vegetables,” David said. Looking to the future, Peter said the box stores,” he said. “It’s the willingness to help in person. It’s they do not see themselves going not just about pushing numbers, it’s anywhere, since they have been in actually caring about what they are the neighborhood since the turn of the century. trying to achieve and making.”
“Even with new technologies coming in, I don’t believe it’s possible to change ever ything so abruptly,” he said. David said they are offering a 10 percent coupon with a purchase of $50 or more. To retrieve the coupon, visit http://www.platzhardware. com. The shop is open daily from Monday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Reach Trisha Sakhuja at (718) 357-7400, Ext. 128, tsakhuja@ queenstribune.com, or @Tsakhuja13.
Silver Bell Bakery:
Keeping Eastern European Tradition Alive BY NATALIA KOZIKOWSKA decided to move the business to community. Today, Silver Bell is a Staff Writer Middle Village, where there was wholesale bakery with a retail loSilver Bell Bakery has been giv- a very strong Eastern European cation and services more than 500 stores in the Tri-State area. ing Americans of Eastern European presence. Though Silver Bell Bakery may “It has grown, developed and decent a slice of tradition for more have begun as a small bakery, the redeveloped several times,” Radzithan a century. The bakery, which first opened family-owned business has since unas said. Radziunas attributes the sucits doors in 1882, was founded by grown to be a staple in the Queens cess of Silver Bell to his owner Albert Radziunas’ grandfamily’s commitment of father, a Lithuanian immigrant. keeping the traditions of It had humble beginnings on “Old World” baking alive. Stagg Street in Williamsburg, Each of their authentic Brooklyn, and sought to serve breads and pastries are the fast-growing Eastern Euromade from scratch with pean population in the area. only the finest ingredi“It was established back ents. then by my grandfather who “ T h e b a ke r y i s a started baking breads for the long-established bakery. ethnic community – the GerWe’re different from a man, Polish and the Lithuanian lot of other bakeries,” community in Williamsburg,” Radziunas said. “We Radziunas said. make all our breads from In an effort to expand the scratch using natural business, in 1969, Silver Bell flours – it’s a three-day Bakery moved to a new locaprocess. There are not tion on Junction Boulevard in that many bakeries that Corona, Queens. Though the Photo by Trisha Sakhuja do that, even in New business was well-received by the community, in 1996, the Silver Bell Bakery in Middle Village has been in business York. If you’re looking for an authentic, dense and Radziunas family ultimately for more than a century.
hearty product, that’s what we do.” Radziunas, who now runs the business, said that he always knew Silver Bell Bakery was “in his blood.” When he was a child, he often helped his father with the business and began to become passionate about the art of baking. “I did everything from sweeping the floor to helping people at the door with products,” he said. When asked what he loves most about working at Silver Bell Bakery, Radziunas said he enjoys researching new recipes and products to bring to his customers. “I love getting behind the counter and developing new products,” he said. “I am always trying to do some research development on new products and artisan breads.” Silver Bell Bakery is located at 64-06 Admiral Ave., Middle Village. For more information about products and services, visit www. bake4u.com Reach Natalia Kozikowska at (718)357-7400 Ext. 123 or nkozikowska@queenspress.com or @nkozikowska.