There used to be two or three businesses in Oakland with "saw orks" in the
name, back in the 1980s oor 1990s. I used to go by one in the area vaguely
between Laney College and Downtown, a few blocks south of 14th St. I'm aware of
them because they were where you took the three-foot or four-foot blades of
board sheers and guillotines to have them sharpenedd. "Pacific Saw Works" sounds
familiar, but I think that's just the similarity to something like "Oakland Saw
Works" or "California Saw Works," which may or may not be names of actual firms.
These were very much industrial firms,s not anything artsy-crafty.Tom
On Tuesday, January 14, 2020, 8:56:10 AM PST, Michael Suwczinsky
wrote:
Every now and then I'll meet up with the lovely wife at her office and we'll
drive past this signhttps://www.flickr.com/photos/10735775@N.../4882261
4571/">signhttps://www.flickr.com/photos/10735775@N.../48822614571/
and I'll think 'i should look that up' and then forget till the next time. Well
the next time we pull over and I get out to take some not-from-a-moving-car
pictures and note the address. (and note the lovely wife for stopping)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/10735775@N.../48822771132/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/10735775@N.../48822771112/
and armed with he address the Google machine provides insight
Pacific Saw Works was a saw business at 4401 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way
(formerly Grove Street), founded in the 1930s by an Italian immigrant, Alexander
J. Ponchione. Today the building is home to artists' studios, and is owned by
the granddaughter of the founder.
The 1930 directory lists Alex J. Ponchione, 4538 Grove Street, "Saw Filing and
Grinding, Lawn Mowers Sharpened and Adjusted, All Work Guaranteed." The family
lived not far away at 820 - 40th Street.
The 1967 Polk's directory lists William Allara (the Ponchione's son-in-law),
president; M. C. Ponchione, vice-president; Mrs. V. C. Allara, secretary; B. H.
Ponchione, treasurer.
Based on advertisements, they were selling chainsaws and lawnmowers from at
least 1950 to 1976. The word 'lawnmowers' is faintly visible on the saw-shaped
sign.
with a sign like that, I'd need a bigger shop! and a neon bending course to
restore it!
--
Michael
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