On July 5, 1978, the South End Hardware store in South Norwood was recognized as more than just a retail establishment; it was a living piece of local history, preserved through four generations of the Abdallah family.
Established in 1894 by John Abdallah, one of the first Syrian immigrants to move to Boston, the business originally functioned as a dry-goods supply house for area peddlers.
Seeking a “beautiful place” to settle, John Abdallah was drawn to the “country-like” atmosphere of South Norwood, where he purchased the Robbins Estate and laid the foundation for the store that would serve the community for decades.
By 1978, the store had become a unique local landmark. Its proprietor, Olga Abdallah, operated the business alongside her brother, Nick, her sister Helen, and her brother-in-law Paul Donohue. The store’s interior reflected its long history, crowded with items dating back 25 years or more. Customers could browse narrow aisles lined with kerosene lamps, old-fashioned scrubbing boards, coal tins, and an assortment of heavy-duty hardware and antique brass fixtures. The store also featured an unusual stock, including half-pint bottles of Mt. Vernon Rye Whiskey distilled 34 years prior. Olga noted the rarity of the inventory, remarking, “The beauty of it is that many of these items are still selling for the same prices they sold for 25 years ago, when we bought them.”
Beyond its role as a hardware supplier, the store served as a community hub. Helen (Abdallah) Donohue recalled that after the prohibition period ended, the business expanded to include a liquor license, and the store gradually took on the atmosphere of a small “town hall.” It was a place where residents gathered to discuss family and local politics, often around an old wood-burning stove. The store was even known to host political figures, evidenced by a framed photograph of Senator Edward Kennedy, a friend of the family, hanging in the office.
The Abdallah family’s commitment to the store remained a common thread, despite their diverse individual pursuits. The late Norwood Selectman John A. (Alec) Abdallah, who ran the store until his death in 1968, had encouraged his children to lead varied lives. Olga famously became the first woman to hold the office of selectman in Norwood, while Helen practiced law and served as a town meeting member. Paul Donohue served on the town planning board. Despite their varied roles in town government and law, the family remained dedicated to the store. As Olga looked toward the future, she expressed a hope that Helen’s two-year-old daughter, Olga Mary Donohue, might one day become the fifth generation to manage the family legacy, though she emphasized that the choice would remain the child’s own.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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