Collections Item Detail

2011.024

Novak, MarkNovak, Dorothy

Gift

Gift of Dorothy Novak and Mark Novak.

1990 - 1990

Date(s) Created: 1990 ca Date(s): 1990

Notes: archives 2011.024.0011 CLOSE UP Step right up to Counter Parts [photo caption]: Dora Van Dyken and Helen Firehock stand outside Schnackenberg's in Hoboken. When you open the screen door and step into Schnackenberg's, you find yourself in a time warp. A row of red stools rises from the black and white tile floor, the kind kids like to spin until their parents give them dirty looks. There are brightly col- ored 1950-ish illustrated advertisements for ham- burgers, American cheese sandwiches and Coca-Cola in shapely clear glasses. Next to the rows of small Campbell's soup cans is a computer print-out announcing that soup costs 90 cents, as well as a reminder to "Drink Cheny Smash." Dora Van Dyken and her first husband, Henry Schnackenberg, opened the Hoboken luncheonette in 1931. After Henry died, Dora continued to run the business with her second husband, Fred. Dora, 88, still stands behind the counter at Schnack- enberg's. So does Helen Firehock, 77, who has been her waitress for 54 years. Projected Images of Hudson County will pre- sent "Counter Parts," a 10- minute film about Schnackenberg's and Helen and Dora's special friendship on Oct. 21 at Maxwell's in Hoboken. The restaurant and their partnership have survived economic depression, a world war, Ronald McDonald, carob rice cakes and pain-in-the-butt customers. The fact that the shop still exists is a testament to Dora's strength and I want- ed to honor that," said Nicole Lucas of Hoboken, who produced and directed "Counter Parts." The screening at Max- well's will also include "Survival of a Small City," a 65-minute look at Norwalk, CT before and after gentri- fication. Like Hoboken, Norwalk used to be a bustling industrial town. Produced by Nancy Salzer and Pablo Frasconi, "Survival of a Small City" was filmed over a seven- year period and presents the sometimes clashing points of view of residents and shopkeepers, both old and new, as well as histori- ans and developers. "Both films portray a sense of fragility," Lucas said. "My film doesn't address broad issues like gentrification, like Pablo Frasconi's does. He tells the story by looking at a city. I tell it by looking at a store." Screenings for "Counter Parts" and "Survival of a Small City" will begin at 8:30 p.m. Maxwell's is located at 1039 Washington St.. Hoboken. $4. 798- 4064. Status: OK Status By: dw Status Date: 2011-05-25