The Ambridge-Mann Center
The Ambridge-Mann Pavillion, located at 2822 W. 4th Avenue, has been around for nearly 70 years. Along the way, it has been many things to many people. The center has provided the tools and resources needed to entertain, empower, educate, feed, and organize for as long as most in the neighborhood of Ambridge can remember.
Let’s talk about its history a bit.
Marvin “Mickey” Weiss (Wise) was born on July 22, 1922, in Komoro, Hungary, to Jakab “Jacob” and Margit “Margaret” Weiss. According to The Times, in 1937, the “Wise” family immigrated to the United States and settled in Gary, Indiana. The collective family resided on Gary’s east side at 656 Maryland Street. While assimilation into a new American lifestyle, Marvin took up a job as a salesman.
In 1940, young Marvin worked at a small grocery store at 1216 W. 4th Avenue. Patrick “Pat” Carrobina owned the store. At 19 years old, Marvin took over the store from Pat.
By 1947, Marvin opened a grocery at 2735 W. 4th Avenue (400 Marshall Street). He co-owned a franchise grocery/liquor store, Clover Farms, at 1121 E 8th Avenue. The Weiss Entities website states that Marvin founded Wiseway Grocery Store in Gary in 1942. It is unknown if the first WiseWay was at one of the previously listed locations.
In 1953, Marvin opened a formidable grocery store at 2822 W. 4th Avenue. Known as “the big store,” Wiseway Super Mart was the first WiseWay to open in the Region. It was considered the first “true” supermarket. The east side location was converted into a WiseWay in 1958.
According to Groceteria.com, Wiseway was not listed at 4th Avenue after 1965. Instead, it relocated to a former Kroger on 5th Avenue and Marshall Street.
It is assumed that the Kroger store closed after a forced racial integration of employees. This is what might have prompted Wiseway to relocate to the building. Unfortunately, it and Q Drugs would burn to the ground in 1976. By then, WiseWay had franchised with numerous locations elsewhere in the Region.
In 1970, the 4th Avenue building was used by Women of the Moose, Gary Chapter 249 & 783. This was the first time the building was used as a polling place. Yet, they could not (or would not) keep the building. The City of Gary unceremoniously took ownership in 1976.
The city instead opened the Ambridge Mann Community Center in 1978. The Center held many food redistribution drives, most of which were USDA surplus government donations. Voting continued to occur inside during this time as well.
Community organizers and environmental activists used the Center for town hall meetings. In the early 2010s, The Gary Green Link Trail was discussed here before its approval and initial construction.
In 1983, the first renovations were conducted by the City of Gary. This included new air conditioning, rewiring, plumbing, flooring, and interior and exterior painting. The following reported renovations occurred in 1990, 2001, 2010, and 2011.
In the mid-90s, The Ambridge Mann Center was rented to people for hundreds of parties, gatherings, fundraisers and raffles, dinners, quilting exhibitions, reunion parties, auditions, concerts, religious functions, game nights, and the like. During cold/heat waves, the Center is used as a warming and cooling shelter.
Josie Davis was the program director for the Ambridge-Mann Community Center from 1992 to 2006.
Abandoned for five years until adopted by Lady’s N Charge, a local community organization. The organization attempted to maintain the building independently without help from the City of Gary. However, according to LNC’s director, Jacqueline Crawford, The Gary Park Department made money from their hard work by being allowed to rent the facility out.
Today, it is barely used, damaged by numerous vehicle collisions, and falling into disrepair.
