Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

With countless businesses leaving Somerville one by one I thought it would be fun to try to construct a perfect city with former businesses. So of course, I asked my social media friends from Somerville to chime in as we construct the perfect Somerville. I’ll start it off with The Venice Cafe!

“All our special occasion cakes came from LaContessa. The rum cake was the best!”

“Hodgkins spa, TONY’s.”

“Caradonna, bakery, Somerville lumber, Bradlees, Patsy’s bakery.”

“Patsy’s, Johnny’s (Thurston Spa) with Johnny behind the counter, Jr.’s (corner of Medford Street and Sycamore across from Winter Hill), Rocking Bob’s Guitar Shop.”

“Paul’s Variety at the corner of Central and Albion. And, of course, Cara Donna’s!”

“We used to sneak out at lunch time from Northeastern get “Johnny’s special” 50 cents (bologna and cheese with mustard pickles and onions).

“The old Assembly Mall. Kmart Jordan Marsh, Debs (got my prom dress there). I think even Building 19 was there for a while. Old Davis Square stores (Gorrins, Thom Mccan, FFC, Smoke Shop).”

“Victors for sure then paddock then La hacienda and Patsy’s.”

“Johnnies (Thurston Spa) with Johnny working the counter and making his awesome subs.”

“There used to be a sub shop across from Powder House Park called Bella Meos, and to this day it was the best sub sandwich in Somerville.”

“I’d like to see the smoke shop come back the way it was in the 80s (Davis Square) right next to Tom McCann shoes.”

“Mickey Finns men’s shop was a great place to get a lot of clothes like loud shirts.”

“The Venice and the Paddock were two of the most delicious places around. It was fun hanging around in those places.”

And last but not least McKinnon’s must stay.