We received information on this picture from Jo Anna Gahrs, Sam Zappala, and Phil Bellace. This building was located at the corner of Franklin Street and Kings Highway, across from Botto’s Italian Market and Restaurant. It is now the vacant lot used for parking. The old building caught fire and was demolished. It had been known as the Patti Building. It held several different types retail locations through the years as well as apartments. To name a few, it was the location of Patti’s Apparel Shop, Patti’s Butcher Shop, Marilyn’s Dress Shop, Duke’s Store (produce) and Reliable Furniture Store. In the basement was Phil Bellace’s father’s barber shop, a pool hall (which closed in the 1970’s) , and a taxi stand. According to Bellace, the building was also used by the Swedesboro Post Office and the telephone company. According to Gahrs, in the basement area of the building on the Mill Hill (Franklin Street) side, there was a tiny shop and at Christmas they had toys in there to purchase.
