Reprinted with permission from the book Hodge’s Cove by Eric Stringer, 2011
Ida’s / June’s
Though this enterprise were commonly known by that name, it was actually originally owned by myself, Eric Stringer. After I came home from Labrador City circa 1967, I had this store built, naively dreaming of having a restaurant. While it was in my ownership, for a year or so, it served as a hangout where a pool table, pinball machines, a jukebox and such, in addition to confectionery were the attractions.
It was sold to June / Ida, and they operated it for a decade or more, in the Friday-Night-Fight era.
It was located approximately across the road from where Willis Peddle, Sr.’s house is today.
Ida’s / June’s
Fred’s & Jane’s Restaurant
Not too far off from 1955 would be the time when Fred Smith had built “the restrunt”, located at close to the same site as David Balsom’s house is today. Rudimentary in its design, at the time it was “the Keg” to us. Fred had one of the earliest dynamos (gas-powered generators) in this local area, necessary because electricity had not arrived here yet. He and his (first) wife Jane sold the usual bars, soft drinks, cigarettes, etc. But they also sold French fries ….. real deep-fried chips. And there were the jukebox and amusement games (pinball games, etc.). And the little black-and-white television that sat high on a shelf at one end of the store …. and for which interested clientele paid five cents to watch their favorite wrestlers (Whipper Billy Watson, Edouard Carpentier, Gene Kiniski, Hardboiled Haggerty, the Miller Brothers, et al. And the midgets, Sky Lo-Lo, Little Beaver, et al.
And the jive!! Who can forget the jive?! where, for the most part in Hodge’s Cove, girls danced with girls …. mainly Minnie Churchill (now Drover), Shirley Peddle and Effie Drover … and Mel Drover (what a sook! out dancing with girls … lol) Rave On, Buddy Holly!
Restaurant
The building previously operated by Louise Smith as a general store was later taken over by Sylvia Brown Peddle and her sister-in-law Renee Peddle Howse who operated it as a full-fledged restaurant; and Ray Stringer later operated it as a take-out.
Michael’s Takeout
Ray also rented from Louise Smith the store that is now the home of David Balsom and family. It was used as a take-out.
Wilson Smith
The building that is now used as a workshop was originally owned and operated as a ‘hangout’. Wilson had pool tables, pinball machines, etc. there as well as sold chicken & chips, etc. and other confectionery.
Wilson Smith
Mal’s
This ‘hangout’ was located at a site very close to where the large building now stands on the Marina in Hodge’s Cove. Pool tables, jukeboxes, pinball machines, etc., fast foods and other confectioneries were the items of fare. It was owned/operated by Marion (nee Peddle) Smith.
Mal’s