In this staged 1942 photograph, Nicholas Abdallah, proprietor of South End Hardware, moves his team and wagon along Washington Street, past his own storefront and that of the Press Café. Pragers Press Café was not simply a restaurant, hut was a market as well, offering groceries, meat, and liquor. From the 1940s through the 1960s, a number of successful restaurants were located in South Norwood, including the Wingding, the Venice, and Jennie’s Pizza Parlor. (Photo Credit: “Images of South Norwood”, by The South Norwood Committee, The Norwood Historical Society)


May 3, 1961—Nicholas Abdallah, 72. of 1027 Washington St., operator of a hardware store here for more than 50 years, died today.

A well-known sportsman and a backer of local sporting events for years. Abdallah was known as the “Mayor of South Norwood” by two generations.

He was a member of the Norwood Lodge of Elks, Norwood Chamber of Commerce, Norwood Grange and a former member of the board of governors of the Norwood Civic Assn.

Surviving are his wife, Rashede, and a son, John A., a member of the Norwood Board of Selectmen.

1923 Advertisement for Nicholas Abdallah’s South Norwood Hardware Store.
Dean Street Elderly Housing Project Refiled Under Chapter 40B as Board Seeks Attorney General Zoning Ruling-August 23, 1977

Dean Street Elderly Housing Project Refiled Under Chapter 40B as Board Seeks Attorney General Zoning Ruling-August 23, 1977

georgenhs Aug 20, 2026 5 min read

Developer Richard Vazza refiles his $2 million Dean Street elderly housing complex under Massachusetts Chapter 40B anti-snob zoning laws. The Norwood Appeals Board seeks an emergency ruling from the state attorney general to clarify conflicting zoning use variance powers.

Norwood Scrapbook-August 3

Norwood Scrapbook-August 3

georgenhs Aug 3, 2026 14 min read

A comprehensive daily compilation of historical news from Norwood, Massachusetts on August 3. Featuring stories of town planning, public safety efforts, regional transportation, local achievements, and community concert traditions.

Traffic Concerns Stall Zoning Board Hearing on Proposed Caldor Shopping Center on Route 1-July 30, 1980

Traffic Concerns Stall Zoning Board Hearing on Proposed Caldor Shopping Center on Route 1-July 30, 1980

georgenhs Jul 30, 2026 3 min read

A zoning board hearing for the proposed $3 million Caldor shopping center on Route 1 was continued to August 19 as developers Bronson & Hutensky worked to finalize safe traffic access through Park Place Industrial Park.

Library Throws Book at Woman in Norwood-July 27, 1984

Library Throws Book at Woman in Norwood-July 27, 1984

georgenhs Jul 26, 2026 4 min read

Susan Andrews became the first person arrested in Norwood for failing to return overdue books to the Morrill Memorial Library.

Appeals Board Postpones Decision On Norwood Golf Course Proposal-July 26, 1973

Appeals Board Postpones Decision On Norwood Golf Course Proposal-July 26, 1973

georgenhs Jul 26, 2026 3 min read

The Norwood appeals board postponed a decision on developer Frank R. Simoni’s proposed 97-acre golf course near Access Road, requesting a certified site plan.


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