SHENANDOAH - It was truly "Kielbasy Heaven" at Main and Laurel streets Saturday as Kowalonek's Kielbasy Shop celebrated its 100th anniversary party outside its shop.
Visitors stopping by the store at 332 S. Main St. were welcomed by plenty of good food, memorabilia, a live radio remote in the morning and live music in the afternoon by the incomparable "Tomosius K," who, with two fellow musicians, performed classic hits and his own humorous compositions about Kowalonek's and kielbasy that have become very popular.
Owner Mark Kowalonek, the third generation of the family to operate the business, walked around in a long white apron and sporting a big bow tie, much like his grandfather Joseph Kowalonek wore back when he operated the local neighborhood store known for its traditional Polish kielbasy and fresh meats. The store began in 1911 at Chestnut and Columbus streets. Joseph's sons, Paul and Leonard, eventually took over the business and moved to the current location in the 1980s. Paul's son, Mark, took over the operation a few years after the shop relocated.
"What a great day for us," said Kowalonek. "This jogs the memory a bit with all the pictures and stories. All our family and friends stepped up to help us. We have nice weather."
Kowalonek spent lots of time shaking hands of people congratulating him on the historic milestone and spending time with some talking about growing up around the family business.
When asked about the bow tie, Kowalonek smiled, explaining, "I was born in 1956, and he (Joseph) died in 1964, and that's what I remember - him wearing that jazz bow. That was his style."
As for the family business lasting so long, Kowalonek said it's just part of the family tradition.
"It just comes natural to us. It comes natural to my kids," said Kowalonek. "They know a lot and they just have another angle. In fact, there are 500-some people on Facebook. We have people coming from all over. They're are people here from Canada who came down."
Paying a visit to the celebration was Violet Cegielsky, the daughter of Joseph Kowalonek, sister to Paul and Leonard, and aunt to Mark.
"Violet is the last member of the original Kowaloneks, my dad's sister," said Kowalonek. "She's 93. Her polka dress doesn't fit her anymore since she lost some weight, but she'd have that on with full regalia if she could."
Cegielsky walked around, sometimes with Mark at her side, stopping for a time at the memorabilia display in front of the store. The display held photos, documents, newspaper and magazine pages featuring the business and its long history. There were old "Kilbo-1" registration plates from Pennsylvania.
When asked what her father was like, Cegielsky said, "His customers love him. When he passed away, these miner's widows cried because he took care of them. He just wasn't an indifferent salesman. If they needed something, he was there. Our Mark is very much like that, too."
State Sen. David Argall stopped by in the morning to present a citation.