In memory of Tony, Wilkes-Barre s shoe man
Tony Bonczewski passed away overnight in his sleep at the age of 91. This was to be his last week running his shoe repair shop in Wilkes-Barre before retirement. Author: Chelsea Strub Updated: 5:41 PM EST February 23, 2021
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. Whether you were entering 15 Public Square from its front door or the parking garage in the back, there has always been a constant. Not only the signs for Jordan s Shoe Repair but the man behind the shop, Tony Bonczewski, was usually there to say hello. I ve been in this building since 1988, and every morning, come in the back door, and you look automatically in the and see Tony, said Tom Leighton, a former mayor of Wilkes-Barre who has offices in the building. And if he was looking at the door, which most likely was at all times. He gives you that little wave. Coming in this morning and looking in there and seeing Tony was not there was very, very sad.
For Mark Bronsberg, another day of snow on Monday meant another day of bad business at his restaurant Mimmoâs Pizza on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre.
âItâs starting to become depressing,â Bronsberg said. âI hate days like this. You know coming in, itâs going to be lousy.â
Business has been bad enough due to the exodus of downtown workers who are still working remotely because of the COVID-19 pandemic, he said. The constant snow in February has made a bad situation worse, Bronsberg said.
âIt kills business. It changes the little business we have,â Bronsberg said. âThe curse of 2020 is continuing.
Police arrest Grinch, save Christmas
One police department in Luzerne County says the suspect from just north of Whoville, responsible for hundreds of Christmas-related thefts, is now in custody. Author: Chelsea Strub Updated: 5:19 PM EST December 24, 2020
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. Police in Wilkes-Barre say the person responsible for Christmas gift thefts all over the city is now in custody.
They posted the face of the accused thief on a holiday Facebook post. He was arrested just after midnight, with help from Santa Claus, on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre. I saw it, said Brenda Sokolowski. I looked out the door, and I saw the Grinch running through the square. The police were chasing him. They caught him, and it was great because they saved Christmas.