Here are some selected excerpts from my story about this popular Amsterdam grocer. His entire story appears in my new book “A Year’s Worth of Amsterdam Birthdays.” To order a copy, click here.

Like so many Rug City residents of his generation, Joe Pozniak was the son of immigrants. His parents, Frank and Victoria had migrated to Amsterdam from Poland around the turn of the 20^th Century to work in the city’s mills. They made their home on James Street. They raised a family of three boys and two girls. With the exception of his service during World War II, Joseph their youngest boy would spend his entire life on James Street.

…Joe did not have to travel too far to find the love of his life. Her name was Ernestine Palamara, a Brooklyn born girl who moved to Amsterdam when she was two-years-old and was raised up the block from her future husband on James Street…

…After he returned from military service, the couple opened Pozniak’s Market. Guess on what street the store was located? You got it, James Street…

…For over thirty years their food store served as a popular destination for Reid Hill residents who had to prepare three square meals per day for growing families and did not have a second car to take them to a local Grand Union or A&P…