Comments from TomZikuski

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TomZikuski
TomZikuski commented about Ritz Theatre on Feb 28, 2010 at 6:03 am

Ritz building was built in 1900 according to official records.Ther wer always apartments in the building.The Ritz building and the 3 or 4 next to all look small but that isn’t the case.The buildings all drop 3 stories in the rear and all always held apartments.Most all of the buildings next to the Ritz all held small business in the front on street level.Does anyone know if there was a business where the Ritz was located during the aprox.20 years before the Ritz opened?Thanks very much!! Tom Z

TomZikuski
TomZikuski commented about Ritz Theatre on Feb 27, 2010 at 5:23 am

Jack Sharkey(Joseph Paul Zukauckas)Heavyweight Champion of Th World was my fathers first cousin and my Grandparents were his aunt and uncle.The Ritz theater building was built in 1900.The building in the early 1900’s contained many apartments where immigrants lived.My Grandfather and his two brothers one of which was Jacks father came over in 1902 from Kanus Lithuania.This building was Jacks last Binghamton home before he left for the navy and history in 1918.What a terrible waste to destroy a building that held so much local history and more importantly memories of so many.The building was lost for what A beautiful new black topped road,fake antique streetlamps,and best of all empty lots.Antique row??Give me a break.I have seen buildings with much less history saved because of mostly who it was that wanted them saved.Anyone with any info.on the Ritz building from the early 1900’s please feel free to contact me.I do know it was built in 1900 but when did the Ritz go in?Was ther always a business in the front of the building?Anything would be greatly appreciated.Thanks so much!! Tom Zikuski