Changing Times

The last two days have been spent enjoying family.  After spending months working on business for the Mid-Atlantic Bonsai Society, D took Tuesday off.  We did a little of this and a little of that.  One of his choices was to go to downtown Schenectady and have lunch at Pereca's.  A very good choice.  We each ordered the individual pizza with the same toppings and thoroughly enjoyed the very crisp, thin crust (reminding us of our trip to Italy) with sweet Italian sausage (Sidoni's - another local product), mushrooms, artichokes, and capers - lots of capers!

On our way home, we discovered that the Schenectady landmark, the wonderful building with the coco-cola ad was gone.  How could we have missed that fact?  It was covered in the Schenectady Gazette of September 30, 2015.  But we don't take that paper.  Here is part of the story from that paper:

THE 'GHOST' IS GONE

Schenectady's 'Coca-Cola' building demolished

By Haley Viccaro September 30, 2015

PHOTOGRAPHER: MARC SCHULTZ

Broadway building with Coca-Cola advertising on wall.

. . . . . . . . .

The early 1900s building was recently demolished after Highbridge Development of Schenectady purchased it from Frank Stewart in April for $20,000. It’s unclear what the future plans are for the property.

This undated photo shows the Coca-Cola sign, center, on the side of 412 Broadway in Schenectady, which was built in the early 1900s.

John Roth, CEO of Highbridge and Plank Construction, could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Ray Gillen, chairman of the Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority, said he is unaware of Roth’s plans for the property.

Although the building was not designated as historic, Schenectady Heritage Foundation Chairwoman Gloria Kishton said the building’s sign was a staple and its demolition is a loss for the city . . . 

Ironically, when BD and E visited us, we took them to lunch at Pereca's and returned home by the same route.  We came to a red light at the intersection from where one could see 412 Broadway, and I pointed the ad on the building to E as I took out my phone a snapped a photo.  I believe she took one, too.  I am sure that all of us commented on how fine it was to have that reminder of earlier times still standing.

Not for long, as it turned out.

We didn't let that spoil our day and went on to the movies later that afternoon.  Changes occur and they're not always good, but we have our memories and, if we're lucky, our photos.