| Klavon's Ice Cream Parlor originally opening in 1923 as a pharmacy by our Grandparents, James and Mary (nee:Stefanowicz) Klavon (klah-VON). Their only child, our father, Raymond was the star of our favorite 'drugstore' story. In the wee hours of St. Patrick's Day morning, March 17, 1936, our father who was then nineteen years old, stayed in the store with his cousins for the annual ritual of preparing for rising river waters. This consisted of moving stock and equipment in the basement up onto tables or to the first floor. Back then Pittsburgh's spring thaws usually brought about a foot of water in the basement lasting a few days. This year, unexpectedly, the water rose higher and faster than usual forcing Dad and his cousins to climb and climb quickly. The following morning they were rescued by rowboat through the window above the telephone booths. This was particularly funny to the eight of us because the father we knew was built much like Santa Claus, and that window is very small. How the heck did he climb up there and get through that small window?. If you look closely you can still see the flood damage to some of the wood veneer and mirrors. The Allegheny River reached almost to the ceiling. When you stop by make sure to look above the phone booths! In 1945, Dad married our wonderful Mother, Martha Dullard. She's a neighbohood girl born and raised one block away from this store on 29th and Smallman Streets. Since reopening Klavon's as an "Ice Cream Parlor" we have told many stories of Grandma and Grandpap and our visitors often share their 'parlor' memories. We expect most 'older folks' like ourselves to enjoy this place; we though are both surprised and gratified that so many young people are fascinated with Klavon's, the history, the tales, the ambiance and our roots. What a wonderful legacy from our Grandparents; may "Klavon's Ice Cream Parlor" be our tribute to them. Stop by and sip an Old Fashioned ice cream soda or phosphate, look around and enjoy the hundreds of old medicines, apothecary bottles and other 'drugstore' treasures. All are original: including the woodwork, the 16 foot marble soda fountain, the "Bastion Blessing" stainless steel, the inlaid terrazzo floor, the Art Deco light fixtures and even the banana split dishes. Grandpap said the fountain stool seats were fashioned after Coca-Cola bottle caps. We even sell the same ice cream as our Grandparents, Pittsburgh's own Reinhold's Ice Cream. Visit us and enjoy . . . we'll save you a scoop of your favorite ice cream. The Klavon Family |
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| A Look back . . The History. |
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