The legacy of Marble Street Store
Published on June 23rd, 1999
STONEHAM, MA - One-time Benton Street resident Emanuel Lirakis probably never gave much thought to the millennium when he first opened his business in Stoneham back in 1927. But 72 years later that business, the Marble Street Store, finds itself staring down the year 2000 which looms just a few short months ahead.
Through the years, the Marble Street Store has sat at the edge of Main Street, witness to the progress of a century and appropriately adjusting itself to the staples of a changing world.
One thing hasn't changed much, however. This landmark continues to service its neighbors and passers-by with the conveniences expected from a corner store along with some friendly conversation.
Lirakis built his store in 1926 with all local help, and the Marble Street Store opened a year later as a family business. With his wife and children by his side, he ran the store until his death in 1948. His children took over the reins and when grandchildren came into the picture, they helped out too. Lirakis' daughter, Marion, has run the store by herself for several years.
That changed this past March. For the first time in its history, the Marble Street Store changed hands as Marion sold the business to Melrose resident Larry Allder.
Allder is excited about his new venture.
"Who doesn't dream of having their own business some day?" he said.
With the addition of a counter, at which patrons can drink coffee and watch the world, along with plans for a deli, convection oven and grill, Allder has been getting to know the area by slipping into easy conversation with his customers.
While such a venture can be overwhelming, he has enlisted the expert advice and part-time help from his predecessor who, despite feigning retirement, continues to help out behind the counter.
Allder's own family chips in as well, particularly his wife, brothers and nephew, perpetuating the establishment's reputation as that of a family business.
Allder came into his good fortune of acquiring the store after Marion confided to him that she was considering retiring.
"I've known Marion for years," Allder said, having met her when he worked in a group home on Warren Street some years ago.
"I'd bring the guys in at night for a snack," he said and continued to visit periodically even after he left that job.
Having lived through two trials of renting out her family's store in previous years, both of which did not work out, Marion said this time, she had a good feeling about selling to Allder.
"They're real gentlemen," she said of Allder and his brothers.
Today's view from the store window is a far cry from the view the elder Lirakis saw when he first opened his doors.
Back then fewer houses dotted the landscape and Stonehamites walked to many of the town's popular destinations such as the Stone Zoo, Bear Hill, the Sheepfold, and down to Dikes Pond to watch Stoneham High School play hockey. Street cars preceded the heavy volume of automobiles that these days idle in front of the store awaiting a green light on Main Street. Those street cars took riders from Melrose to Arlington, by way of Stoneham. And in those early days, the shelves of the Marble Street Store were lined chiefly with produce from local farms.
The farms are long gone and so too is much of the neighborly conversation that was, at one time, enough to sustain the social needs of a neighborhood.
"Everyone knew everyone's name," Marion said.
While that may not be as prevalent in today's world, many of the Marble Street Store's patrons certainly know Marion, warmly greeting her as they enter. Part of this establishment's secret of success may just be it's ability to evoke that friendliness from its patrons.
"That's why people come in...It's a neighborhood store," Allder said. His dream is that all this will continue.
Drawing from years of experience of working at Jim's Market in Medford, Allder stated that he has been pleased with business thus far.
"It's a great opportunity."
For now, the store will continue to run from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
"Maybe in the future, when things get rolling, we'll stay open later," Allder said.
"I want to retire here," he added.
When asked what she considers the greatest secret to the store's success for all these years, Marion replied, "Work, work, work."
Allder appears poised to do just that to carry on the successful legacy of the Marble Street Store.
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