Community Corner
Do You Remember the Scissors Grinder?
In 1950, these Western Springs kids watched the scissors grinder working along on Race Street. And, amazingly, the tradition continues.
In 1937, a Chicago Tribune columnist reported on the scissors grinder profession and how it had ceased to be a business handed down from father to son, etc. But, as shown in the first photo, the business was still alive and well in 1950 on Race Avenue in Western Springs. That’s Mike Paltzer on the left with his brother and two friends.
Unfortunately, more recent stories suggest that there are but a handful of such entrepreneurs still in business. But, in the Chicago suburbs, one continues to ply his trade. Tony del Ciello, now in his early 70’s, has walked the streets of Western Springs (and most other west and southwest suburbs) for over 30 years. See second photo.
Some call him a scissors grinder, a knife sharpener guy, or just the “knife guy”. But, at least once a year, he has travelled to the LaGrange and Western Springs area to push his bell-ringing cart through our neighborhoods, sharpening knives, scissors, and garden tools.
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Born in Italy, Tony came to the United States in 1966 at the age of 21. After working in a food plant for a decade or so, he acquired the knife-sharpening cart from a friend. Eventually, he made the business his primary job, working six days a week from April through October.
In 2007, Tony was dealt a setback when his van, which is used to transport his cart, was stolen from his Oak Park driveway. While the police recovered the van, the 80-year-old cart was never recovered. But, when the word got out, many of his customers mailed him cash, enough to buy a new cart from Italy.
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Business is not as good as it used to be. With the increase in two-income families, there’s often no one at home to hear the cart’s ding-dong bells. And, of course, serrated blades have also reduced the market for sharpening. But, hopefully, this spring or summer, we will see Tony once again as he plies his trade on the streets of Western Springs.
Each week, the Western Springs Historical Society presents a “Blast from the Past”. To view prior stories, visit us at www.westernspringshistory.org or just click on the author’s name shown above.
