'Turnback Tuesday' features downtown Derby confectionery business

Turnback Tuesday visits DeBarbieri & Musante of 220 Main St., Derby.

Frank DeBarbieri was a confectioner in Ansonia until 1909. He moved to Derby in 1910 and started a business with John Musante. They specialized in fruit, confections, and ice cream.

They continued their partnership until 1940 when John took over with his son, Joseph, and changed the name to John & Son Inc. at the same location.

This envelope is postmarked 1937. The second photo shows approximately where the business was located on Main Street.

Thanks goes to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.

'Turnback Tuesday' highlights food shop in downtown Derby

Turnback Tuesday visits Wetherby’s Food Shop. The original store was called Wetherby’s Confectionery. It was opened at 254 Main St., Derby by James F. Kearney Philip and Bernard R. Splaver in 1942.

Peter R. Habetz took over 5 years later in 1947 and circa 1953, he changed the name to Wetherby’s Food Shop. Peter continued to run the food shop at the same location until it closed in 1982.

Postcard image courtesy of the Berman family.

Thanks as always goes to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week!

'Turnback Tuesday' visits longtime Valley business

Turnback Tuesday visits the business of Henry Kornblut, Inc. with this charming calendar from 1948.

He started his business in 1892 as a dry goods and confectionery store at 572 Main St., Ansonia, adding clothing in 1895. He moved to Water Street by 1903 and later moved one last time to 316 Main St., Ansonia.

Soon after, he expanded the business to a second location at 6 Olivia St., Derby. Henry remained active as president until 1955 when VP Herman Brofin took over.

The store sold Curlee Clothes manufactured in St. Louis. By 1920, the Curlee Clothing was one of the largest clothing manufacturers in the country. The Kornblut stores remained until 1970.

The calendar was a recent donation by the Berman family.

Thanks as always goes to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.

'Turnback Tuesday' features bakery/confectionery in downtown Derby

Turnback Tuesday is taking a sweet look at Wise’s Bakery. 
Owner James N. Wise moved to Derby and started his business in 1876 at 116-118 Main St., Derby. 
Wise was a wholesale/retail baker and confectioner and a master of his trade. This is an advertisement card for Wise’s, boasting the delicacies he had to offer at Christmas. 
Wise lived in a beautiful house built in 1890 on Elizabeth Street. The home is still there today.


Thanks go to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week!

'Turnback Tuesday' features confectionary store at Derby Junction

Turnback Tuesday looks at Colwell's Confectionary, Etc. 
This business was located at 3 Main St. in Derby and the location was also known as Transfer Point for the trolley. 
Mrs. Mary E. Colwell started the business in 1907. In 1924, the name was changed to include “& Lunch Room.”
Mary operated the business until it closed in 1934. In this postcard, you can see Colwell's Confectionary sign on the right.

Thanks go to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.

'Turnback Tuesday' features store advertisement for Derby confectionery

"Turnback Tuesday" remembers another old downtown business in Derby, the Ryan Brothers Confections & Ice Cream, established by John Ryan in 1910 at 40 Sixth St. 
John was a policeman as well as a business owner. In 1911, he was joined by his brother Edward and they located at 54 Elizabeth St. 

Then in 1912, John went back to being solely a policeman while Edward moved to Naugatuck. At this point, the business was taken over by William Ryan (relationship unknown), but unfortunately the business stopped in 1913. This beautiful fan was used as part of their advertising.


A big thanks to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.