Pelham Bay Home Center nears 30 years in business
BY KYLE VUILLE
While many retail shops
endure the plight of ‘mom
and pop’ stores where big box
stores and Amazon rule the
marketplace, one store in Pelham
Bay has stood tall and
true for almost three decades
now.
John Scanlon and his wife,
Sherry, opened their home
appliance store, Pelham Bay
Home Center, on the corner of
St. Theresa and Westchester
avenues almost 30 years to the
day.
“I don’t remember the exact
date, but I know one of my
daughters was born about a
year later and she’s 29 this
year,” Scanlon said.
Scanlon said he began his
career at Virginia Westchester
Plumbing, a popular appliance
retailer in Pelham Bay that
was in business for around 70
years.
Scanlon said he worked for
the business for about 13 years
before heading into his own
business venture.
“My wife Sherry and I
started this business and it
has become a real family business,”
Scanlon said. “I’ve had
all my kids working here from
time to time, one of them, Meagan
works here now.”
Both of Scanlon’s daughters
Meagan and Tashel have both
worked at the store throughout
the years as well as John, Jr.
However, he remembers the
hardships of those early days.
“Sherry and I were each
working two jobs, raising three
kids, paying the mortgage and
running this business,” Scanlon
said. “We worked hard
and eventually things turned
around thanks to all our loyal
customers.”
Scanlon said he still has
customers that he fi rst worked
with at Virginia Westchester
making them customers and
friends of his for four decades.
As a business owner, Scanlon
refl ected on competing
with the big box stores like
Home Depot and online selling
services and what it’s actually
doing to communities like Pelham
Bay.
“You used to see a familyowned
shoe store, a fl orist, a
butcher shop on the block,”
Scanlon said. “Life changes
and people buy their meats at
Costco now, but we need stores
with substance around here.”
Scanlon pointed out people
who own commercial properties
buying online.
everything he sees, Scanlon
is grateful to have his family
and his health and the opportunity
has worked for me for nine
years who moved here from
Jamaica and this past year,
he bought his family a house,”
Scanlon said. “That’s amazing
to support families through
working at the store.”
positive end of the spectrum
and wants to see his community
quote painted on his building,
things.” “But we can do small
things with great love.”
four children takes over the
business and will keep planting
the storefront for the people of
Pelham Bay.
fl owers, people love them,”
BRONX TIMES REPORTER,28 JANUARY 24-30, 2020 BTR
John Scanlon stands outside his storefront with daughter, Meagan, and
several employees at Pelham Bay Home Center at the corner of St. Theresa
Ave. and Westchester Ave. The store is coming up on its 30th anniversary.
Photo by Kyle Vuille/Schneps Media
Scanlon said. “If more businesses
James E. MaQuade, Owner
Family Owned & Operated for over 60 years
3535 East Tremont Avenue
Bronx, New York
718-792-0270
www.schuylerhill.com
in the community are actually
hurting themselves by
Though he does not like
to give back to his community.
“I have an employee who
Scanlon has stayed on the
prosper.
He has a Mother Teresa
“Not all of us can do great
Looking towards the future,
Scanlon hopes one of his
his beloved fl owers outside
“Every summer I put out
If funeral homes were all the same,
Ours wouldn’t be the family choice
The families of our community so often choose our funeral home. Some come to us to pre-plan
arrangements because we offer all the options and choices they desire. Others come to us at their
time of need seeking guidance, support and the certainty of a funeral service that is correct in
every way. Should your family fi nd itself in need of our services, we hope you’ll make the choice so
many in our community have.
around here did that,
Pelham Bay would look a lot
nicer.”
/www.schuylerhill.com
/www.schuylerhill.com