Object ID
2011.7.225
Object Name
Box, Candy
Object Collection
Alex's Candy Shop (is part of)
Date Created
1920 – 1940
Measurements
15.0825200000 cm. W x 23.0200200000 cm. L, Item (Overall)
Material
Paper
Object Entities
Rassogianis/Franks families, By (owned by)
Rassogianis, (is related to)
Franks, Paulina (is related to)
Object Description
This is a top of a candy box covering. The cover is blue with grid-like patterning in the background and a decorative, dark blue border made of squares, within other squares. It has "Alex's Sweet Shop" centered, in bold dark blue type, with "Homemade Candies and Delicious Ice Cream" printed slightly smaller in the same color and font below it. Along the bottom, it reads,"Net weight two pounds" in the bottom left corner, "Phone Berwyn 6782" centered along the bottom and "6823 Roosvelt Rd Berwyn, ILL" printed in the bottom right hand corner.

The sides of the paper are very frayed and look as though they may have been burned or ripped.
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
Box, Candy, 1920 – 1940, Alex's Candy Shop, National Hellenic Museum, https://collections.nationalhellenicmuseum.org/Detail/objects/8722. Accessed 04/26/24.