Object ID
2011.7.219
Object Name
Menu
Object Collection
Alex's Candy Shop (is part of)
Date Created
1920 – 1940
Measurements
12.8600200000 cm. W x 17.61998 cm. L, Item (Overall)
Material
Leather; Paper; Plastic
Object Entities
Rassogianis/Franks families, By (owned by)
Rassogianis, (is related to)
Franks, Paulina (is related to)
Object Description
This is a small, green, leather bound Fountain Menu for Alex's Candy Shop. Each corner of the menu is bracketed in a gold coloredmetal of some sort. On the front of the menu, in gold, is printed "Fountain Menu" with a decorative swirly design directly below it. There is a border along the front and back of the menu, made up of three parallel lines running along the edges of the menu.

On the inside of the menu, which opens like a book, the menu is printed on orange paper, protected by plastic sheaths. The heading reads "Ice Cream Sodas and Sundaes." The food and drink options are then divided into the following categories: Crushed Fruits, Fruit Nut Sundaes, Fancy Sundaes, Specials, Frappes, Beverages, Hot Drinks in Season and Specials. The menu is printed but there is some hand written parts under the "Specials" section and written along the side is, "We serve our own made Ice Cream."
Origin
Paulina Franks' grandfather, John Rassogianis, came to Chicago in the 1890s. He began his life in the new city by peddling fruits and later, with the help of his sons Alex and George, would open a candy store. In the 1920s Paulina Franks' father Constantine became a part of the family business and the store was able to prosper. When the second business closed Paulina Rassogianis chose to hold as many of the candy store's items as possible and, later, donate them to the National Hellenic Museum.

The Rassogianis family began their candy business in Chicago proper, working out of their own shop named "St. Louis Ice Cream Parlor." Eventually, the shop was closed and the Rassogianis' chose to continue their candy store venture in Berwyn, Illinois. The new shop they chose to open was named Alex's Sweet Shop.

Paulina Franks' father was a key contributor to the success of the Rassogianis candy stores. While Constantine Rassogianis was a noteworthy entrepeneur, he also had many other accomplishments. Among these was his four years of involvment in the Greek national military during World War I wherein he obtained the rank of sergeant. Also, he was a published author and poet, an experienced mandolin player, a church officer and had extensive knowledge of psalti.
Rights and Reproduction
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Citation
Menu, 1920 – 1940, Alex's Candy Shop, National Hellenic Museum, https://collections.nationalhellenicmuseum.org/Detail/objects/8717. Accessed 04/18/24.