Kadulski’s Market opened in 1905 on Upper Main Street in Niagara, which is now at the corner of Fourth and Vine streets.

The family-run store was one of two businesses in the large square building.

“My grandfather (Frank Kadulski) had his meat market on one side and on the other side was a dry goods business,” Bernadine (Kadulski) Clement said.

In addition to the market on Upper Main Street, there was Hohol’s Bar, a hotel and jail.

Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo

“There was a lot of activity in that area at that time,” she said.

In 1912, a fire destroyed the building.

“The fire was in January, and as water was trying to be pumped to put out the fire, it actually froze,” she said. “They lost everything.”

With determination, they got some items together and reopened within days, Clement said. They moved the business across the street to where the Vine Street Apartments parking lot exists today, converting a livery stable into a store.

“They then built their house next door,” she said.

The couple continued to remodel the market, including additions to the store.

She noted her grandfather, Frank, and his friend Henry Marcouiller started First National Bank & Trust.

“It’s part of our history,” she said.

Frank passed away in 1925. “He died when my dad (Raymond “Lester“) was only 2 years old,” she added.

His wife, Anna, then asked her brother, John Zaidel of Lena, Wis., to help run the store.

“They then continued and were then known as Kadulski & Zaidel,” Clement said.

Her father was trained on how to be a butcher by his uncle and also learned how to make the family’s Polish sausage.

“They would sell it by the yard,” she said.

In 1947, Lester bought out Zaidel’s share, as he wanted to retire, and ran the grocery business with his mother, once again under the Kadulski’s Market name.

The market closed its doors in 1964. Lester continued to work at Lequia’s until he died in 1969.

Lester’s wife, 98-year-old Bernice Kadulski, lives in Niagara and is still active.

“She was known for her pierogi and sold them in the store,” said Karen Klenke, president of the Niagara Historical Society. “She did that until a few years ago.”

The tradition continues into a third generation with Frank and Anna’s grandson — Lester’s youngest son — Tim Kadulski producing the “Old World Polish Sausage” at his shop, K&S Sausage, on Antonissen Road in Niagara. It’s also available at Northwoods IGA in Niagara.

The second photo is today’s view of the first market that was next to the Bunker, formerly the Alibi Bar. Behind is The Sand Lot.

“The Kadulski family is an important part of Niagara’s history,” said Klenke.