Erie in Erie County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Sophia's Tavern Building

514-516 Cherry Street

— Corner of Park Avenue East • "Gunnison Alley" —

Sophia's Tavern Building Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, July 15, 2026

1. Sophia's Tavern Building Marker

Inscription. This vernacular commercial building with second floor residence, known as Sophia's Tavern for 67 years, was built for Jacob M. Strick (1861-1933) and wife Mary Strick (1861-1936) in 1901 to expand their grocery business started next door at 518 Cherry in the 1880's. Following their retirement in 1920's, Scarlett's Community Stores operated here for several years.

Frank H. Suhanek (1876-1941) and wife Corinne Buerrer Suhanek (1887-1976) bought the property 1934 for his tailor shop. Born in Austria, Frank Suhanek, sang in several local choirs and was considered "one of the city's leading tenors." About 1940, property was leased to Lederle's Artistic Portraiture Gallery.

Ludwig Michael Zehe(1902-1964) and wife Marion St. George Zehe (1913-1990) became owners in 1943 for their growing Zehe's Bakeries (1938-1968). Ludwig Zehe, a native of Sandberg Germany was active in the community including President of Erie Bakers Association.

Sophia Sliwinski Kotoski (1906-1999) and husband John Kotoski (1893-1993) purchased the property in 1952 for their popular Sophia's Tavern, previously located at 343 West 3rd St. since

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1941. April 28, 1953 was the celebrated opening of Sophia's Tavern at this location by the Kotoski Family who operated it until 1994 when Lester A. Holowienko (1945-2018) and wife Christine Smith Holowienko became the owners. Lester Holowienko, born in Raigrod, Poland, was a graduate of Gannon University, served as a U.S. Army medic during Vietnam War and for 25 years was with the Governor's Veterans Outreach Program. The iconic Sophia's Tavern closed in 2020 after operating here and on West 3rd Street for 79 vears.

Property acquired 2022 by Erie businessman Thomas V. Hagen, Founder & Chairman of Historic Erie Preservation Trust with the purpose of preserving the building for continued commercial use and as a place of historic and architectural interest for the benefit of the community. Restored 2023-24 under direction of Erie architect D. Jeff Kidder, AIA

Erected 2024.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings. A significant historical date for this entry is April 28, 1953.

Location. 42° 7.511′ N, 80° 5.942′ W. Marker is in Erie, Pennsylvania, in Erie County. It is on Cherry

Photographed by Mark Parker, July 15, 2026

2. Sophia's Tavern Building Marker

Street north of Park Avenue East, on the right when traveling south. The marker is on the north facing side of the building. It is currently the site of Herb & Honey Bakery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 514 Cherry Street, Erie PA 16507, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northwestern Pennsylvania.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Cody House (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Connelly • Payne • Wilson House (about 700 feet away); The Siegle-McDougle House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Richard Lowry House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Charles Vernon Gridley (approx. ¼ mile away); Watson-Curtze Mansion

Herb & Honey Bakery, formerly Sophia's Tavern image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, July 15, 2026

3. Herb & Honey Bakery, formerly Sophia's Tavern

(approx. 0.3 miles away); 21st Century Erie (approx. 0.3 miles away); Bayfront Metamorphosis (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Erie.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 30, 2026, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 30, 2026, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.