Valley Girl Views: From Statler's To Francos

Tonight we had dinner at Francos in Williamsport. What an amazing meal. Get reservations - this is a very small place, and it's well known for having excellent food, so you're going to want to call ahead for this one. And when you arrive, you push the buzzer and someone will come let you in [or you can call them and they will meet you are the door] - it has a great speakeasy feel!

And a great building too! Here's a little of what it has looked like through the decades:

This is the corner of fourth and market, when the trolley tracks were still visible. The tall building on the left still stands today, it is Hoyers. Today Francos is between the Hoyers building and what is the Pharmacy in this photo, but today is Cillos Antiques and Coins, on the Northwest Corner of Market and 4th.

1937 - Statler Cafe was at 423 Market St

In 1938, 12 West 4th St was listed in the directory as Reba Metz Photo Supplies.

The Statler Cafe was built at 12 west 4th street, sometime around 1939. Operated by John Rohrer. Rohrer's son Kenneth joined him as a partner sometime before 1951, when the name was changed to Rohrers Cafe. His obituary in 1952 stated:

"In 1915 he first established the Statler Cafe in this city. The business operated under the name until a year ago when the name was changed to Rohrers Cafe. The business which he operated with his only son Kenneth L. was on Market Street for many years, but lately the cafe has been on fourth street just west of Market."

Rohrer's Cafe [late 1940s?]

This photo of Francos shows the old Rohrers Logo on the top of the building.

Kenneth took over as sole owner after his after his fathers death in August of 1952. Kenneth Rohrer died 10 years later, in May of 1962.

This photo of the 21 Bar & Grill has the Rohrers Logo covered. It appears that tiles were placed over it, perhaps?

In 1962, the business became the Twenty One Bar. In 1972, Thomas Cioffi took over the Twenty One, operating it until 1984, when it became Francos Lounge, under the ownership of the Danielle family.

From the Franco's Facebook Page:

Leonardo Alfredo Daniele changed his name to L. Alfredo Daniele upon immigrating from the Naples region of Italy at age 30. He made his way to Williamsport, Pennsylvania and opened the New York Barbershop on Market Street in 1926. There he met and married Mary Pasnello (daughter of Frank and Rosa Pasnello from the lumber camps).

Throughout the years, L. Alfredo operated the barbershop and dabbled in different experiments resulting in a company called the Dani Co., which patented the "Dani Cream" (an early version of Noxzema face cream) and "Catarrh Remedy" (similar to Vicks Vapor Rub).

The New York Barbershop was in operation on Market Street for about 60 years (until 1984) when L. Alfredo and Mary's son, Francis Alfredo Daniele - otherwise known as "Franco", traded the barbershop for a bar...