If you want to see 20th century American history unfold before your
eyes, stand on a city street corner and watch it change! It all starts
when an immigrant named Oscar opens a barber shop...
When Oscar lands on Ellis Island, he has only a suitcase and a down
payment in his hands. And he has a dream-- to own his own barbershop.
After it opens on the corner of Front St. and Second Ave, Oscar's
barbershop becomes a beloved local fixture... until the day Oscar
decides to move on and become a subway conductor. Over the years, this
barbershop will change hands to become a lady's clothing store, then a
soup kitchen. A coffee shop follows, then the space becomes an army
recruitment center, then a candy shop. As the years pass and the world
changes, the proud corner store stands tall, watching American history
unfold around it. Barry Wittenstein and debut husband-and-wife
illustration team Kristen and Kevin Howdeshell tell the rich,
fascinating story of key moments in American history, as reflected
through the eyes--and the patrons--of the corner store.