Then and Now
All original posts can be found on the Ardsley Historical Society’s Facebook page.
February 11, 2025
Then and Now! The former Ardsley Public School at 520 Ashford Ave. as it sat on a snowy day in February of 1971. 54 years later, the snow lays on the Ashford Court Condominium property. Ardsley History Fact: The current elementray school on Concord Road opened in 1953, the current high school on Farm Road opened in 1958 and the current middle school opened less than a mile down the road on Ashford Ave. in 1971.
February 21, 2025
Then and Now! Addyman Square as it apperaed in the 1940s. Approximately 80 years later as we know it now. Note the buildings (far left and distant center) in the old picture that were soon demolished or moved to make way for the New York State Thruway which offically opened in 1955. Many of the businesses were able to relocate. Others simply closed down. Although many homes and businesses were demolished, the increased traffic from the thruway caused a boom in population and therefore increased housing.
March 4, 2025
Then and Now! Ardsley Pizzeria as it appeared in 1974 when it sat in the Hillcroft Shopping Center. Over 50 years later, it is now known as Slyce. It was listed as 25 Center Street back then, but now Slyce is at 27. Ardsley History Fact: The original owners Dom and Vinny Ruggiero opened up in 1971. The Ardsley Public Library opened up in the shopping center a year later. At the time, Daitch Shopwell was located where DeCicco & Sons is and was one of two major grocery chains (along with A&P on 9A) in Ardsley. Current owners Tony and Phil Ciccone bought Ardsley Pizzeria in 1991 (not from the Ruggieros) and it opened as Slyce in 2014.
March 14, 2025
Then and Now! The Ardsley Chocolateria was located at 466 Ashford Ave. It opened up in 1923. Today, 466 Ashford Ave. still stands in the square and operates as a local nail salon. The building looks very similar after 85 years. "The Choc" as it was called, was a very important part of Ardsley's social history. It was a luncheonette and confectionery store operated by the Pascone Family. Carmine Pascone was the brother that took on most of the responsibility. According to an old menu, a banana split with locally made Carpenter's Ice Cream was 25 cents. In 1955-1956, it was cool to go to "Club Choc" where the teenagers could come hang out after a high school basketball game and dance to the juke box and have a burger or a soda. Picture the "Happy Days" TV show with Ardsley lettermen jackets. Carmine passed away in 1959 and brothers Frank and Nicholas helped keep up the Ardsley tradition until they sold the business in 1961. The building made a short-lived comeback attempt as a hang-out for teenagers in the mid-1980s when it opened up as "No Proof Required." In more recent memory, it operated as the pet groomers "Bow Meow."
March 24, 2025
Then and Now! 643 Saw Mill River Road when it operated as a dry cleaner. Now it is the Ardsley Market. Ardsley history facts: A grand opening of the "new" Ardsley Cleaners was announced in the fall of 1968 (although it had been a dry cleaners since the early 60's). The above picture was published in the 1969 high school yearbook. In the late 1970's, H&R Lawnmower moved in, but by the 1980's, the popular Bavarian Beverage Center became the place to get all your drinks for your holidays and parties; including kegs of beer for the weekend bashes. It remained a discount beveage store for approximately 30 years and the Ardsley Market was approved for opening in 2011.