Businesses come and go, but a staple in Fountain Hill since 1936 has been Friedmans Service Station. Part of the community, blending into the mix of residential and small businesses, Friedmans maneuvered the social and economic changes of 87 years.

1936 was a boom year for Bethlehem – agriculture was on a decline and people from rural areas were moving into Bethlehem to work in the steel industry – Bethlehem Steel. Eddie Friedman, the great uncle of Friedman’s current owner, Bruce, opened the service station. Three years later, Eddie sold the shop to his brother, Joe, Bruce’s grandfather. Joe kept ownership until 1979, passing the business on to Bob Friedman, his son and Bruce’s father. Bob held ownership until 2000, when the business then passed on to Bob’s son Bruce – the current and last owner.

During the 1930’s there were 23 million cars on the American roads and a little more than half the American families owned cars. It wasn’t until after World War II and into the 1940s that most Americans owned cars. During the 1940s there were seven service stations in Fountain Hill; today, only Friedmans remains. Asked why he thought Friedmans lasted, Bruce will tell you how his “dad and uncle promoted Friedmans and gave the people what they wanted” and what they wanted was a lot more than car service.

Bruce says during the 1960s the Friedmans “sold everything -appliances like air conditioners and washing machines – Friedmans supplied St. Luke’s Hospital with their first televisions.” Bruce remembers being a teenager going to customers’ homes to remove air conditioners from their windows for the winter. The customers were local people, people who lived in the neighborhood, generations knew each other, went to school together and shopped at Friedmans. Pick-up and delivery of cars was offered to St. Lukes employees and in 1975 special promotions were offered to the new St. Luke’s Nursing School.

Times keep changing and Friedmans kept up with the times. Away went the appliances and in 1960 came an automated car wash in one of the repair bays. Promoted by a free car wash with an 18 gallon purchase, glassware, and other incentives with the purchase of gas. They even had NASCAR driver Davey Allison make a promotional visit in 1991. It too passed with time.

The Great Depression of the 1930s, WWII, Vietnam, the gas shortages of the 1970s, came and went, but Friedmans hung on. The mainstay was automotive service and remained so. Working 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday – Friday and half-days on Saturday did not allow much time for other ventures.

Not all family members aspired to continue the service station business, although family members did their part, most moved in other directions. Bruce, the most recent proprietor, has decided to sell the establishment this year. He planned to stop repairs at the end of January and be totally out during February. The property is under agreement for sale.

So, what’s ahead for Bruce Friedman? Family time. Not one to sit around, Bruce reports, “I always have something going on. I like being busy.” And at the top of his list is the March arrival of his first grandchild. Bruce and his wife plan to travel and see the newest member of the Friedman family. And a new chapter begins for the Friedman family.