Our Story
In the Spring of 2022, our family purchased two prominent Clarion buildings that sat vacant along Main Street for nine years. They formerly and most recognizably housed the
Paul A. Weaver Jewelry store and Dan Smith's Candy & Gifts. Our family purchased these buildings from our Great Uncle Dr. Victor Cherico. |
While our immediate family is establishing a residence on
Main Street for the first time, our ties to the Main Street community spans generations.
Keeping with the Tradition
Modern Store
The Modern Store was a grocery store that our great grandfather Sam Cherico (Tato) owned and operated from 1938 to 1968. It was the first self-service grocery store in Northwestern Pennsylvania. Our family wanted to pay homage to our lineage and the 'Modern' in Modern Markets is our way of recognizing Sam and the history our family has at this site.
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Family TiesSam and his wife Sylvia Cherico circa 1952 outside their home on 7th Avenue in Clarion. This was the same home that our parents Fred and Kim raised us in until we moved "over the river and through the woods" to Marianne Estates in 2014. There are many wonderful Cherico memories from this home. We cherish the 7th Avenue neighborhood community. |
Cherico Bros.Our great grandfather Sam was the epitome of the American dream and was a master in the entrepreneurial hustle. Sam also owned Cherico Bros, which was a produce company that existed where the current parking lot for the Clarion American Legion Post #66 is located. My grandfather Joe and his four brothers assisted my great grandfather in this business during their youth. Cherico Bros was the precursor to the Clarion Fruit Company, which is still in operation today. |
Our Future
For three months, we have conducted a bottom-up examination of both of the buildings with a primary goal to revitalize. Our family values the preservation of the Clarion identity whether that be the recognizable streetscape of Main Street or the palpable spirit of the community that runs through it. We have spoken to former tenants, neighbors, and local historians as we join the Main Street community. We have also sought guidance and advice from experienced contractors. From these experts collective perspective, it was determined that both buildings would have extensive rehab requirements that were well above our family budget (we are a small family, not one with a Wall Street budget). This combined with other unexpected circumstances regarding both buildings, we have made the family decision to level the current structures to make room for our fresh idea at this centrally located space in the heart of the town we call home. Modern Markets.