Model
Object number2013.59.1
Manufacturer
The Cat's Meow
Date2008
MediumWood, paint
Credit LineGift of Robert Aloe
DescriptionPainted, wooden block model of a light green brick building. Two small windows at the top and two larger windows at the bottom with a door in the center. In the left window is a sign with the business name with a black cat on the windowsill. In the right window is business name, year established, and phone number. Logo and hours of operation are on the door. Text on the back of the miniature provides history of business and maker information.Dimensions4.187 x 4.25 x 0.812 in. (10.6 x 10.8 x 2.1 cm)InscriptionsIn the left window is a sign that reads: "FRANK'S / PIZZERIA / "Fresh Pizza".
In the right window reads: "FRANK'S PIZZERIA / EST. 1958 / 724-266-2890".
Logo and hours of operation are on the door but are illegible.
On the back is printed: "Frank's Pizzeria / 618 Duss Avenue / Ambridge, PA 15003 / 724-266-2890 / 50th Anniversary / 1958-2008 / Frank's Pizzeria was founded by Frank and Costanza Aloe / On September 22, 1958, Frank's Pizzeria opened / its doors for the very first time. That night / pizza was free. Frank wanted everyone to try / his pizza in hopes that its great taste would / bring the customers back for more. His plan / worked and Frank began selling pizza for $.15 / a slice or two slices for $.25. And nearly 50 / years after it first opened, Frank's Pizzeria is / still a family-owned and operated business / with Frank and Costanza making pizzas. / Frank's prides itself on making fresh pizza. / www.franks-pizzeria.com".
MarksOn the back is printed at bottom: "© 2008 MY WORLD / www.catsmeow.com / MW002430 / THE CAT'S MEOW (R) / MY WORLD (R)".
Historical NotesMiniature of Frank’s Pizzeria. Frank's Pizzeria has been a family owned and operated business at 618 Duss Avenue in Ambridge, Pennsylvania, since 1958. Frank and Costanza Aloe immigrated to Ambridge in the late 1940s from Amantea in Calabria. Frank worked in the steel mills until the mid-1950s when he decided to open a fish market in the storefront below his house. Having been a fisherman in Italy, Frank thought this would be a profitable venture. It was not. Next he opened a pastry shop, which was another failed business. In 1958, Frank responded to an ad in the Italian newspaper Il Progresso about a pizza making school in New York sponsored by the Mastro Equipment Company. For $600 he was trained to make pizza and set up with a pizza oven, work table, and several pizza peels and pans. Frank's Pizzeria opened on September 22, 1958, giving away free pizza for the evening. In the early years, pizza was $0.15 a slice and $0.25 for two slices. Calzones were added to the menu in 1983.
Related person
Costanza Aloe
Related person
Frank Aloe
Related institution
Frank's Pizzeria
(founded 1958)
Related institution
Mastro Equipment Company
On View
Not on view
1968-2001
c. 1917
c. 1989
