Philmore and Rose Tucker opened their first yarn store on N. 7th St. in 1949. The Tucker Yarn Company has been at it's current location at 950 Hamilton Street for over 50 years. For knitting enthusiasts the endless inventory is legendary. Phil recalls how even in May, traditionally a slow month for the industry, Hess's annual flower show kept Hamilton Street and his store busy. A busy Hamilton Street is a memory now shared only by a couple of surviving merchants. Although many of Tucker's customers are elderly, the business is much more than a time capsule. His daughter Mae, nationally known in the trade, gives classes and operates a large mail order web site, TuckerYarn.Com
reprinted from May 4, 2008
ADDENDUM JULY 10, 2023: No businesses of Hamilton Street past, including Tucker Yarn, still exist. There are several new businesses, mostly clothing, that constitute Hamilton Street current curtailed retail.
I use to get my seeing stuff at Tuvkers and my music at Titlos. And was sent by my Mom and Greatgrandmother and Grandmother to get stuff from Tuckers .It's a shame Allentown looks the way it does.
ReplyDeleteRose and Phil were mainstays on Hamilton St, owning several properties including their beautiful apartment directly behind their main store. Great folks for sure!!! Their inventory was legendary and staggering to say the least... floors of it stacked to the rafters!!! If they didn't have it, you didn't need it!!!
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