Bristol Historical Society

05/29/2026

May 28 - Petit's Food Stores

Petit’s Food Stores were opened by Harry Joseph Petit, Jr. He began his career working at A&P for 25 years, before opening his first store at the corner of West and Gridley Streets in 1943. He would wind up with five stores, three of which were in Bristol (the others were at 655 Stafford Avenue and 104 North Street). His was first store in town to put in an automated check-out counter. Petit retired in 1954 and sold all of the stores. He had ample time to enjoy his well earned retirement, passing away in 2001.

Bristol's history has no shortage of industrial achievement. For 2026, however, we will focus on the retail businesses in Bristol. From restaurants to shoe stores, from jewelers to theaters, these businesses often made up the fabric of daily life in Bristol and served as an important sector of its economy.

05/28/2026

May 27 - Snow White Car Wash

The Snow White Car Wash was open in the mid-1960s into the 1970s and was owned by Robert F. Jackie. There were two locations for Snow White: one at 16 John Avenue and one in Plainville. Jackie was the son of John G. Jackie, the founder of J&J Screw Products in Bristol.

Bristol's history has no shortage of industrial achievement. For 2026, however, we will focus on the retail businesses in Bristol. From restaurants to shoe stores, from jewelers to theaters, these businesses often made up the fabric of daily life in Bristol and served as an important sector of its economy.

05/27/2026

New location for the Farmers Market this year!

WHERE CAN YOU FIND THE BRISTOL FARMERS MARKET THIS YEAR? At 18 Main Street in the parking lot of Express Kitchens Factory Outlet! Join us on opening day, June 20th at 10 am. One location for parking and shopping! Enter the parking lot by way of Willis Street off of South Street.

PLEASE SHARE WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

05/27/2026

May 26 - Hope Chest Corset Chest

The Hope Chest Corset Shop was open from the late 1950s to the mid-1960s. At least three separate people were involved in running the store. Frank Dianiak served in the Navy in World War II and attended Moody Business College. He would later own a deli in New Britain and then a real estate agency that was in business until 1982. His sister-in-law Jean Raymond was also involved in the running of the store. Finally Mae Mycka of Southington would also take over operating the store. She may have also been a relative, but the relationship is not clear.

Bristol's history has no shortage of industrial achievement. For 2026, however, we will focus on the retail businesses in Bristol. From restaurants to shoe stores, from jewelers to theaters, these businesses often made up the fabric of daily life in Bristol and served as an important sector of its economy.

05/26/2026

May 25 - Homestyle Bakery & Donut Shop

The Homestyle (sometimes “Home Style” with a space) Bakery and Donut Shop was opened about 1950 by John Herbert MacKinnon, a World War II veteran, and his wife Pauline “Polly” (Kahr) MacKinnon. The couple moved to Bristol and opened the baker at 167 School Street. The shop later moved to 535 Farmington Avenue. The couple ran the bakery for 27 years, retiring in 1976.

Bristol's history has no shortage of industrial achievement. For 2026, however, we will focus on the retail businesses in Bristol. From restaurants to shoe stores, from jewelers to theaters, these businesses often made up the fabric of daily life in Bristol and served as an important sector of its economy.

05/25/2026

May 24 - Masterbone's Package Store

Masterbone’s Package Store was located at 10 School Street, beginning right around the end of Prohibition in 1933. The store was owned by Harry Robert Masterbone, who was born in Italy but had immigrated to the United States at a young age. Masterbone also worked as an inspector at Pratt & Whitney, and as he turned over more of the operations of the package store to his employee Angelina DeCapua and her husband Albert, the store was renamed Cappy’s Package Store. (It’s not clear if the store was actually sold to the DeCapua’s.) Masterbone retired in 1960 and the store appears to have closed around that time.

Bristol's history has no shortage of industrial achievement. For 2026, however, we will focus on the retail businesses in Bristol. From restaurants to shoe stores, from jewelers to theaters, these businesses often made up the fabric of daily life in Bristol and served as an important sector of its economy.

05/24/2026

May 23 - Baron Tailor & Men's Shop

Baron Tailor and Men’s Shop was opened by Dominick “Baron” Resta and was originally located at 100 North Main Street. The shop later moved to 81 North Main Street. Resta was a tailor throughout his career, first working at Reszenski’s before he owned his own shop. and then, after Baron’s closed in the early 1960s, at Raymond Men’s Shop.

Bristol's history has no shortage of industrial achievement. For 2026, however, we will focus on the retail businesses in Bristol. From restaurants to shoe stores, from jewelers to theaters, these businesses often made up the fabric of daily life in Bristol and served as an important sector of its economy.

05/23/2026

May 22 - Dairy Queen

Today - at the unofficial beginning of summer - we’ll detour to a chain store that had a Bristol presence. Dairy Queen was a midwestern import: the first store was founded in 1940 in Joliet, Illinois by Sherb Noble and the company is currently headquartered in Bloomington, MN. Franchises first expanded throughout the Midwest and the South, eventually reaching Bristol at 838 Farmington Avenue in the 1970s. This store may be more than a throwback – there was recent talk of Dairy Queen returning to Bristol. While nothing has yet come of those rumors, the possibility is intriguing!

Bristol's history has no shortage of industrial achievement. For 2026, however, we will focus on the retail businesses in Bristol. From restaurants to shoe stores, from jewelers to theaters, these businesses often made up the fabric of daily life in Bristol and served as an important sector of its economy.

05/22/2026

May 21 - The Iron Horse Restaurant

When the railroad discontinued the use of the station at 26 Prospect Street (shown in the photo) around 1960, it was first occupied by a home remodeling company (Alhom of Connecticut), but in 1969, the Bristol zoning board unanimously voted to allow owners David and Hazel Bewer and William and Lillian Barnes to open a restaurant in the space. The restaurant, the Iron Horse, required very minimal changes to the outside of the building. The building itself would hold 124 diners, with two cars on the nearby tracks providing an additional 83 seats. The architectural firm of Andrew Rossetti presented a sketch (shown here) of the exterior of the restaurant. The interior décor was an homage to the early railroad days with a fine dining menu and wine list. The restaurant was popular but not long lived. (Bill and Lillian Barnes turned the restaurant over to new management by 1971, and the restaurant closed shortly after. The station building itself was demolished in the early 1980s.

Bristol's history has no shortage of industrial achievement. For 2026, however, we will focus on the retail businesses in Bristol. From restaurants to shoe stores, from jewelers to theaters, these businesses often made up the fabric of daily life in Bristol and served as an important sector of its economy.

05/21/2026

May 20 - Marian's Card and Gift Shop

Marian’s Card and Gift Shop was located at 510 North Main Street, beginning in 1948. It was owned by Frank and Marian Chanowski, who married in 1933. They ran the store until Frank passed away in 1965.

Bristol's history has no shortage of industrial achievement. For 2026, however, we will focus on the retail businesses in Bristol. From restaurants to shoe stores, from jewelers to theaters, these businesses often made up the fabric of daily life in Bristol and served as an important sector of its economy.

05/20/2026

May 19 - Lundblad's Bicycle Sales & Repair

Lundblad’s Bicycle Sales and Repair Shop was located at 19 Center Street. The shop was started by Walfrid Lundblad in 1910. His son, William Lundblad carried on the family business, and by the 1950s, the store had expanded to carry automotive accessories, while still serving the bicycle-riding public.

Bristol's history has no shortage of industrial achievement. For 2026, however, we will focus on the retail businesses in Bristol. From restaurants to shoe stores, from jewelers to theaters, these businesses often made up the fabric of daily life in Bristol and served as an important sector of its economy.