Mahanoy City showing signs of new life

Apr. 15—Mahanoy City is slowly climbing out of years of decline and showing signs of new life, from retail businesses to an increase in population.

In 1870, Mahanoy City had an estimated population of 5,500 people. The total jumped over the next 40 years to some 15,900 residents in 1910.

Since that time, like many other communities in the anthracite coal region, the population has declined. Based on projections of the U.S. Census Bureau, the population for Mahanoy City in 2023 is 3,533.

However, Mahanoy City Borough Manager John Fatula said he is starting to see more people move in, renovating properties and seeking employment.

"We are seeing a dramatic increase in occupancy permits; it's great for the borough," he said. "People are starting to put a lot of money into the town."

Fatula said officials are pursing avenues to enhance the borough and attract even more businesses.

One such project is the current demolition of the former Mahanoy City Teen Canteen and other buildings on the south side of the first block of East Centre Street.

Fatula said the property, as well as an attached building, fell into disrepair and are being razed. Although there are no definite plans for the lot, Fatula said it will at least look better.

"The lot will be a green space" for now, he said. "But in the future it's hard to tell."

A win-win

Despite being landlocked, Mahanoy City can take advantage of industry in areas just beyond the borough limits.

One such industry coming to fruition is Mountain Valley Logistics at 2166 Burma Road in Ryan Twp. Completed this year, Building 1 offers 1,229,136 square feet of space.

"We anticipate there will be an increase of people moving because of employment, a certain percentage at least," Fatula said.

There will be secondary benefits, too.

"People will need gas, things to eat and places to live," Fatula said. "I think it's going to be a win-win all the way around; it's great for the entire region."

Another is Fabcon Precast along the Frackville-Morea Highway in Mahanoy Twp., a stone's throw from the borough line.

Community services

Residents have the advantage of having 24-hour police protection from a municipal department and a volunteer fire and EMS system with state-of-the-art equipment and ample manpower.

Five fire companies, all but one of them more than 100 years old, still serve the borough. The oldest is Humane Fire Company No. 1, established in 1868, followed by Citizens Fire Company No. 2, established in 1870. Washington Hook and Ladder Company, or "Hookies," was established in 1886, the Good American Hose Company in 1893 and the West End Fire and Rescue Company in 1925.

Another recent addition to the borough is St. Luke's Health Care Center-Mahanoy City at 201 W. Centre St., the former home of Service Electric Cable Television.

In conjunction with Geisinger Medical Center at Main and Market streets, the facility offers an array of medical services ranging from family practice to emergency walk-ins and physical therapy.

Mahanoy Area School District is among the first in Schuylkill County to establish its own police department instead of using school resource officers from departments in their district.

Previously, the district relied on Patrolman Frank Gallo of the Mahanoy City Police Department to secure the campus, but he was often called for other incidents.

That led the board to establish its own department in January.

Gallo serves as a district police officer under police Administrator Craig Stine, a former member of the Pennsylvania State Police.

Stine graduated from the state police academy in 1991 as a trooper, a position he held until 1997 when he was promoted to corporal. In 2005, Stine was promoted to sergeant and then to lieutenant in 2009 before retiring in 2016 while serving as commander of the Newport station in Perry County.

Mahanoy City is also home to the district office of state Sen. David Argall inside the Sen. James J. Rhoades Downtown Center at Main and Centre streets, above the Mahanoy Area Historical Society, which is dedicated to preserving the history of the Mahanoy Valley and surrounding communities.

Something for everyone

Despite being only 1/2 -square-mile in size, Mahanoy City features eateries for a variety of tastes.

Anyone in the mood for Italian can choose from Carini's Italian Restaurant and Amato's Pizzeria, while C&J's Doghouse, The 123 Café, the Hunan House and Abe's Restaurant offer specialty items.

City Seafood and Steak House offers a fine dining option. James Mercuri owns the South D Street restaurant with his wife of seven years, Cheryl, and started the operation 31 years ago with his grandmother, Eva Koropchak, and his mother, Geraldine Koropchak.

He said in the early days the restaurant specialized in ethnic foods such as bleenies, haluski and halupki. At the time, Mahanoy City had a diverse population and many residents enjoyed the foods of their parents, grandparents and great-grandparents.

Although the population in Mahanoy City has decreased, James Mercuri said business is good, mainly because people travel from other areas, including Mountain Top, Hazleton, Schuylkill Haven and Pottsville, to eat there.

"One thing that we do is we never skimp on anything, we may have to charge a few more bucks but the food will always be the same," James Mercuri said. "I wouldn't give my customers something that I would not eat myself."

He said Mahanoy City has struggled over the decades but an increase of people buying and rehabilitating houses is a positive sign.

"There is still a lot of work to be done, but it will never be the same as it was 20 years ago," he said.

The newest addition to the food scene is the New York Deli Grocery Corp. at 120 E. Centre St.

Owner Saber N. Alokaki said he moved to Mahanoy City after closing his store in Brooklyn, New York.

"My children are here, I like the town, I like the schools," he said.

Another reason for moving is the cost of living in Mahanoy City is considerably less than in New York City.

"I was paying $12,000 a month for my store and apartment," Alokaki said. "I was working just to stay alive and I didn't see my children; when I was awake they were asleep."

Alokaki said he has no regrets in closing his store of 25 years in NYC and hopes the Mahanoy City location will grow after he overcomes a few bumps in the road.

He explained the proper permits needed from the borough are on hold because his contractor has yet to complete work on kitchen items such as an exhaust fan and fire protection equipment.

"My contractor tells me they will be here tomorrow but tomorrow never comes," Alokaki said.

Despite that he continues to make sandwiches and other items the same way he did in Brooklyn for more than two decades.

Alokaki said he likes Mahanoy City and will work to make the business a success.

"I like to live in this area for my kids' sake," he said. "I came here to live and want to stay here."

Along with his sandwiches and other foods, the store features ethnic items ranging from canned goods and Ramen soups to other specialties not found in other businesses.

Several bars offer foods ranging from burgers and wings to pizza and appetizers.

Anyone wanting good food and an alcoholic beverage can stop at McNiff's Irish Pub, M&M Red Zone, Rut's Café, Club 54, The Village Inn, Citizens Fire Company Bar and Grille or McGuire's Pub.

Rut's Café is known throughout the area for its famous "garbage pie."

The pie, topped with tomato sauce, cheese, meats, mushrooms, peppers and more, attracts customers from Pottsville to McAdoo.

If a hoagie is what you're looking for, people can stop at the Hoagie Shack, City Seafood and Steak House or Mahanoy Market.

Retail/convenience stores

Mahanoy City is home to the Cocoa Hut convenience store in the 100 block of East Centre Street and the Trac 6/Vgv Foodmart in the 1200 block of East Centre Street.

At present, Cocoa Hut is undergoing a remodeling and expansion project that will more than double its size.

Although the borough has no major retail stores, it does offer groceries, fresh meats and more at Mahanoy City Food Store; household and personal items at Dollar General and Family Dollar, and prescription medications and more at Rite Aid and Morris Drugs.

Religious roots

For those seeking a place to worship, the last remaining Roman Catholic church in the borough is St. Teresa of Calcutta Church, the former St. Joseph's Church, on West Mahanoy Avenue.

Catholic churches that went by the wayside over the years due to declining membership and a merger were St. Canicus, St. Fidelis, Sacred Heart Church, St. Casimir and Assumption BVM.

The former St. Canicus Church is now home to St. Cecelia Chapel that is open to worshipers, while the basement of St. Teresa of Calcutta Church is home to the Perpetual Adoration Chapel open 24 hours a day.

Worshipers of the Orthodox faith can still attend services at St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church that was constructed in 1891 with the current building constructed in 1931.

Churches of other denominations still in existence include St. Paul's United Church of Christ at 20 W. Pine St. and Christ Lutheran Church at 10 E. Mahanoy Ave.

Contact the writer: fandruscavage@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6013