Franklin's Family Restaurant Unit #1 Edwardsville

Marc Cour has asked me to keep writing.

Many of you enjoyed my first article, “The Franklin’s Family Restaurant Story.”

I will profile each unit. This blog post picks up with Unit 1 Edwardsville that was at 50 S. Wyoming Rd., south of Narrows Shopping Center.

In 1964, Marvin Franklin made a handshake deal to buy a lot in Edwardsville from Luzerne county contractor and political boss W. J. Connolly .

On December 9, 1965, the Luzerne County Planning Commission approved a request to rezone the Edwardsville lot. Franklin Elby’s Inc. was “interested in erecting a drive-in restaurant. Firm has asked the district to be rezoned from light manufacturing to community business. Site is adjacent to Atlantic Refining Company.”

On January 5, 1966, the Commission held a public hearing at the Luzerne County courthouse with no opposition to the zoning change.

January 6, 1966 Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

On January 22, 1966, the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reported that the M & J Realty, Inc. purchased the “State Highway No. 4, Edwardsville” site from William Connolly and his wife for $30,000. M & J Realty was Marvin Franklin and his brother Joseph.

Edwardsville opening. Left to right: Joe Franklin, Frank Paczewski, and Marvin Franklin

The Edwardsville unit opened September 27, 1966 at a cost of $180,000 with seating between 125 and 134.

In October 1966, the Luzerne County Board of Adjustment approved a zoning variance request for a sign. Meanwhile, Elby’s was hiring.

September 13, 1966 Wilkes-Barre Times Leader September 16, 1966 Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

Edwardsville opening September 27, 1966.

On September 27, 1966, Franklin opened his first Elby’s unit in Edwardsville with Frank Paczewski as manager.

A year later, Paczewski celebrated with an Elby’s Big Boy hamburger for only one cent!

March 21, 1967 Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

The Edwardsville unit was one of several Elby’s/Franklin’s that had dangerous traffic conditions. This can’t be avoided when restaurants depend on visibility from the road and foot traffic in the store.

On Sunday, November 5, 1967, a couple was injured when they rammed their car into the restaurant. At the height of the lunch hour, an 81 year old man and his wife lost control of their car while attempting to park before entering the restaurant. Edward Mazanowski, a Kingston druggist, was the motorist. He died in 1973.

November 6, 1967 Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

The accident left a hole on the west side of the building that was patched temporarily with plywood and cardboard.

The restaurant was not open overnight back then. So, several nights later, on Wednesday, November 8, 1967 at 3:45 a.m. police discovered that burglars entered through the hole and stole $565.85 from cash drawers in the office.

November 9, 1967 Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

On July 31, 1968, the state police arrested an armed robber in the rear of Edwardsville. Ronald Rozanski, 30, of Edwardsville was arrested for the gunpoint robbery at Gavy’s Market, Edwardsville. Rozanski died in 2006 at the age of 67. He had a few DUIs (driving-under-the-influence) on his record as late as 2001.

Ten days later, on August 10, 1968 at 9:15 p.m., sixteen-year old Nicholas Mauriello was attempting to drive out of the restaurant’s parking lot and travel north toward Kingston when he struck an auto driven by Michael Petros, 20. Both motorists were injured requiring stitches.

August 12, 1968 Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

On September 3, 1968, the restaurant advertised for a night janitor. I am sure that helped prevent overnight burglaries.

September 3, 1968 Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

Another accident at noon on March 14, 1969:

March 14, 1969 Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

And a steak-fry:

Another accident:

In 1969, Edwardsviille restaurant employees enjoyed bowling against other businesses:

September 2, 1969 Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

October 22, 1969 Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

As 1969 came to a close, there were two auto accident lawsuits involving Elby’s Edwardsville employees:

Dianna Sedorchuck, 17, a waitress lost wages as a result of whiplash auto accident injuries.
December 2, 1969 Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

Richard L. Barner, Elby’s manager was sued.
December 16, 1969 Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

On January 5, 1971, Joseph Sinkewicz, a “chef” at Elby’s Edwardsville restaurant, and his wife celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary:

January 5, 1971 Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

On January 16, 1971, Elby’s Edwardsville employee Thomas J. Hughes was married:

January 19, 1971 Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

On March 19, 1971, police arrested two more men across from Elby’s Edwardsville:

March 20, 1971 Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

Tragically, on August 13, 1972, Edwardsville Elby’s employee Robert John Flynn, 22, died after drowning in the Palace Park swimming pool, Hummels Creek.

August 14, 1972 Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

I can’t imagine Elby’s (Franklin’s) NOT being open for breakfast, but here is the announcement:

March 18, 1973 Wilkes-Barre Times Leader.

Marvin Franklin eliminated curb-service after the June 1972 flood. The Edwardsville unit was remodeled and increased seating to 157. Betty Leandri, dining room supervisor, shows off the new dining room in this article:

On Friday, July 31, 1975, Elby’s Edwardsville lost Florence Lukasavage:

August 1, 1975 Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

Another auto accident:

In October 1980, Willard E. Zim, Jr. was appointed kitchen manager of the Franklin’s Edwardsville unit. At the time, he was one of the youngest “managers” ever appointed by the restaurant chain. That month, he went to the Allentown unit to teach the new short-order cooks. Less than a year later, he was completing U.S. Navy training at Great Lakes.

Edwardsville kitchen: Gary McDowell and Big Bob Sims.

The Franklin’s Edwardsville unit was on route 11 across the street from the Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) terminal that stored 900,000 gallons of fuel. On March 18, 1981, there was a blast at the site. Flames were seen as far away as downtown Wilkes-Barre and the heat was felt 200 yards away.

In the fire’s aftermath, local Edwardsville authorities removed an unsightly culm bank in the rear of the Edwardsville Franklin’s and built a road for fire department access to the ARCO site.

In June 1985, Edwardsville waitress Joan Maculloch was honored for selling the most Buck-a-Cup buttons. Unit manager Dan Corbett was also honored.

The Edwardsville unit was renovated and reopened in July 1987. It was owned by Friendly’s at the time:

Reopening ribbon-cutting:

Marjorie Koziol won a ten-speed bicycle in the reopening drawing celebration.

Franklin’s General manager “Joan Collins” and Edwardsville unit manager Dan Corbett:

Pictured below are some Edwardsville crew: Gary McDowell, short-order; Romaine Koveleski, hostess; and Jenny Comitz, assistant manager.

One of the last gatherings at the Franklin’s Edwardsville:

In July 1989, the Franklin’s Edwardsville unit was sold and Friendly’s opened. As readers already know, in 1985, Marvin Franklin sold his restaurants to Friendly’s. But he kept the Hazleton property and leased it to Friendly’s. He apparently kept the Edwardsville property, too, and sold it to Friendly’s in 1989:

The Edwardsville unit was later demolished; date unknown.

Franklin's Family Restaurant Unit #1 Edwardsville

Home Blog INTERESTS

Contact Subscribe