For over twenty years, the topic that has been discussed more than any other in local chat groups has been “grinders”. As when talking about pizza, there is no real way of telling when grinders first made their appearance in the area. But there is no doubt at all that the most notable and most loved grinder shop was “Remy’s”. In the early 1920s, 1009 Main Street was home to a small grocery store, confectionary and fruit stand owned by the DeMarchi family. Prior to that, it had been run by several other proprietors. The DeMarchis sold the store to Matteo and Teresa Tambornini who then sold it to Camille and Mary Santa Lucia who added grinders to the store’s inventory. Their daughter, Lucy, married Joseph “Remy” Handfield who took over the business and from 1947-1980 operated the Santa Lucia Grinder Shop which was also widely became known as “Remy’s Grinders”. It seems that no one who talks about Remy’s grinders can do so without mentioning that one of the reasons his grinders were so good was that he used shredded cabbage instead of lettuce. Others will tell you that it was also the dressings he used and the rolls from Mandel’s and Henry’s Bakeries that gave his grinders their unique appeal.  Over the years, the chat groups have garnered hundreds of comments about fond memories of Remy’s. It is interesting to note that although people remark about the quality of the grinders, their memories extend far beyond the food to the sights, sounds and smells of the shop and how the thought of Remy’s brings them back in time. One contributor said, “we used to go there almost every day...it was the big thing to do, my grandfather used to sit and talk to Remy for what seemed to me to be for hours...and yes, we used to get the candy too”. Penny candy was a big hit at Remy’s. One contributor wrote, “Don't forget the penny candy. He would always let us go behind the counter to help ourselves. The good old honor system, what ever happened to that? Good memories”. Another said, “My siblings and I used to skip out of church to avoid the long sermons. We headed straight to Remy's to load up on penny candies...hot balls, bit of honey, caramel squirrels, tootsie rolls, candy necklaces, those bubble gums wrapped in cartoons, etc. We had such fun!!! “ One contributor wrote, “Another said, “Loved those grinders and I remember watching Jay Hanfield wrap them up super fast, I was in awe!” Another frequently mentioned location was 168 Jackson Street. For many years it was one of Willimantic’s small “mom and pop” grocery stores until taken over by Denny Wasylik who named it Joe’s Grinder Shop. In 1952, he sold it to Karlis (Charles) and Elishbete Zeltins who had immigrated to Willimantic from Latvia. It was renamed “Charlie’s Grinder Shop” and, like Remy’s, became well known for the quality of its grinders. Interestingly, as with the Santa Lucia’s, the Zeltins eventually sold their shop to their son-in-law, Peter Taumanis who had married their daughter Zigrita. Many who lived in the Jackson Street neighborhood had fond memories of Charlie’s and said the “front stoop was a part time hangout for the neighborhood kids. We spent hours (and money) while sitting there comparing baseball cards or comics while drinking sodas, eating fudgicles, etc.” Again, the atmosphere and the penny candy at Charlies evoked as many memories as the grinders. One reader said, “The best “grinder” on the planet!!! Used to be fascinated watching “Charlie” slice paper-thin tomato slices!!! Ahhh...yummy memory!” Another commentated, “ The greatest grinders ever made. My dad would stop there every Friday after work and bring home a bag full of Charlie's grinders.” A third person reminisced that, “He had a line painted at the door and you had to wait until the kid ahead of you paid. If you took too long to decide he rushed you along. I was really afraid of him, but I had to have my candy before school.” Other grinder shops frequently mentioned were Bergerons, Boudreaus, and Southside Superette.