While driving down the street this spring in Downers Grove, my attention was mesmerized by something out of the ordinary: a street peddler. This scenery is so rare for our time; a man from a bygone era pushing a bell-ringing cart used for sharpening knives, scissors, and other tools. I could not resist my inquisitiveness so I stopped to talk to him. His name is Tony Delciello, a 68 year old man with a thick Italian accent, who immigrated to America in the mid-1960 from the northern region of Pescolanciano, Italy. He learned the trade of sharpening knives from Italian immigrants and used it as a way to make some extra money. Later, after being laid off, it became his full time job. Now for over 30 years, from spring to fall, Tony travels the suburban streets of Chicago looking for customers.
At the sound of the ringing bell from Tony’s cart, a couple of people are already out of their homes on the street waiting for their knives and scissors to be sharpened by his magic machine. Tony stops the cart, looks for some stable ground, and sits down and starts powering the round grinding stone by pushing the foot pedals. The abrasive stone starts to speeds off sending sparks in the air when touching the metal.
This is Tony’s third cart. His name, Tony Delcilello, is hand written with red paint on top of the cart. His first one is about 90 years old, but is now retired. His second one was stolen in 2007. His new one was built by a local carpenter and is equipped with Amish wooden wheels.
A few more people gather around some are passers by who want to know how to contact him if needed in the future.
“I don’t go there no more. The neighborhood changed, you know?! The new people don’t come out no more.” complains Tony to Chris Celimos, a Greek immigrant who stopped by to ask when Tony will be in his neighborhood.
Street peddling was established in the Chicago area back in 1847 when Jewish, Italian, and Greek immigrants set up their stationary locations along the streets of the city. One of the longest-standing open-air markets for street peddlers was Maxwell Street, which operated seven days a week. In 2012, Tony is probably one of the last people around who are still doing this kind of work. Unfortunately he has no kids, so there will be no descendants to pass the trade on.
Delciello’s presence brings nostalgia to people on the streets. I remember myself a few years ago seeing one of those machines at a museum in Chicago. Finding one on the street at work was a delightful sight. Other people on the street were also talking about their childhood days when it was so common to see peddlers selling a variety of goods and services.
In the meantime, Tony is done sharpening six scissors for which he charges one dollar each. This is very affordable in people’s opinion. He dust the little metal particles from himself, talks a little while with people and then begins to push the cart down the street in search of new customers, who may be attracted by his sounding bell. My video of Tony DelCiello: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Bif8bKfDWnw
