Object ID
2011.7.248
Object Name
Card, Business
Object Collection
Alex's Candy Shop (is part of)
Date Created
1920 – 1940
Material
Paper
Object Entities
Object Description
This is one of Alex Rassogianis' business cards. His name is printed in black in the center of the card, with "St Louis Ice Cream Parlor" printed underneath it in bolder lettering. "Confectionary, Cigarettes, Cigars and Tobacco" printed under that, with a thick black line running above it. In the bottom left hand corner is the store's address, 2601 S. St. Louis Avenue, with "Chicago" printed in the bottom right hand corner. In the top right hand corner is "Phone Rockwell 3053" and in the top left hand corner is a small depiction of a bowl of various fruits. There is writing on the back of the business card, possibly written by Alex's girlfriend at the time.
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
Card, Business, 1920 – 1940, Alex's Candy Shop, National Hellenic Museum, https://collections.nationalhellenicmuseum.org/Detail/objects/8796. Accessed 04/19/24.