Community of Markets Block 2

Generations and cultures mingled in the blocks around Izzo’s and George’s Markets. Italian, Jewish, and Lebanese markets operated doors away from each other, with neighborliness more often the case than competition.  Louis and Concetta Izzo purchased a row of buildings  extending from their second market at 38 Pearl Street to their house at 58 Pearl Street. Their children and their families occupied apartments within these buildings. After they leased 38 Pearl Street to George D. “Georgie” George, the adult Izzo sons and their families continued to live upstairs. 

Three generations of the Lebanese Allen family lived in one of the Izzo-owned buildings, as well, and operated a barbershop and ice cream store on the street level. The children of these market owners and residents spent their days on the streets, shooting marbles, playing basketball and baseball in backyards, trading baseball cards, and venturing to Battery Park on Lake Champlain to play wiffle ball and baseball.