Looking Back… at Former Businesses on Winthrop Street  

Last May, I completed writing my third book in the America Through Time series, Rehoboth Through Time, (Acadia Publishing November 2022). The other two books were Somerset Through Time (2020) and Dighton Through Time (2021).

While going through papers for the Rehoboth book, I came across a Rehoboth, Massachusetts street map from the late 1950s-early 1960s. Listed below are some of the locations mentioned and others remembered from years ago and/or just a few years ago, along with what is currently located in that same area.

This month’s travel log actually can be used as a mid-winter-mini get-away. Gather the family together for a short jaunt through Rehoboth. Share the history of the town with the family. Talk about how things have changed in your neighborhood. Was there a death? Did a new family move in down the street? Who painted their house a new color? Did that last snow or wind storm finally cause the old pine tree to fall down? Talk, but most of all look and listen to your surroundings.

Go get your jackets on, hop into your vehicle, and put on your seatbelt for this month’s wild ride!

United States Route 44 (also known as Winthrop Street or the Taunton-Providence Pike) goes in an east - west direction. The road, a former dirt path,   joins Seekonk to Rehoboth at its westerly border and Dighton on its eastern border. For our “journey”. Let us begin at the Seekonk town line, slightly west of Blanding Road in Rehoboth.

Here we go…On the right-hand side, just past the Blanding Road/Route 44 intersection, one might have seen the Kozy Nook, where food and adult beverages were served to many travelers. The original building, built in 1910, has undergone many changes over the years. Various owners have offered foods all types. Currently, Alive Restaurant is located there. During nice weather, they offer outdoor dining at tables with beach umbrellas that provide shade for the patrons.

As one heads eastward along the Pike, it is quite noticeable that many buildings have been renovated to provide space for new business owners to build their own dream. Hans Bernt Tractor Company owned and operated out of the building at 513 Winthrop Street in the 1960s-1970s. During the 1980s -1990s. Bradley Oil ran their business from the same location. Bradley’s was eventually acquired by Wood’s Oil in East Providence in the late 1990s. Currently a redemption center occupies a part of the building.

Viking Ornamental Shop – In the 1950’s, giving their address as between Palmer River School and the State Police Barracks on Route 44, Viking Ornamental Shop fashioned iron railings, did acetylene and electric welding and aluminum and steel fabricating for homes and businesses. The property was sold in the 1970s. During the past year the residence was once again put up for sale and sold.

Sarkisian’s – Located at 245 Winthrop Street, George and Rose Sarkisian built their home in 1950. Looking at the house from the street, the residence was to the right and a cleaning and dyeing shop was to the left, with a separate entrance. George would sometimes be found inside waiting on customers; however, he was most comfortable out on the road either picking up or delivering clothing, bedspreads or drapery. Rose was quite frequently found at her sewing machine when a customer arrived, as she also sewed clothing or did alterations for some of her clients. She would immediately tag the item to identify any laundry brought in with the proper information of the owner. Two day later, it was ready for pick-up. The store also sold dry goods (accessories such as pins, necklaces or bracelets to pull your outfit together or give as a gift) and greeting cards. The property was sold in 1984 to Dr. Cohen, a veterinarian, who retired in 2019. The office is currently occupied by another veterinarian. 

With its beginnings in South Rehoboth, Santos Market, a butcher shop which cut meats to order, moved to the new Rehoboth Shopping Center at 224 Winthrop Street, just east of the Route 118 intersection in the 1970s. Anawan Pharmacy now occupies the meat market’s former location.

Uncle Ed’s Ice Cream at 114 Winthrop Street offers premium ice cream to its customers. Flavors are unique, not just your usual vanilla, chocolate, or coffee. Uncle Ed (Edward Kammerer) used to raise and sell chickens and their eggs at this same location in years prior.

We have now reached our final destination, Wheeler’s Corner, at the south-eastern side of the New Street and Winthrop Street intersection. In the early 1900s, this was a popular, “modern” grocery store, gas station, ice cream and coffee shop. It also was a freight depot in the early 1900s, where teams of horses hitched to wagons would come and pick up large parcels, grain bags, loads of hay. farm equipment or other large objects for use at home or on the farm.  

Dighton is just a few steps to the east.