Answer Special Call to Serve - King's College

Campus Neighbor Celebrates
Part of the advantage of having a campus that is
located in downtown Wilkes-Barre is developing a
relationship with nearby businesses. King’s is fortunate
to have several long-standing Main Street neighbors that
past and present students and staff have come to know
personally.
Mention the S&W Diner, Charlie’s Market, Gonda’s,
Liberty Cleaners and Rodano’s and many alumni can
immediately picture the building and its employees. All
these businesses are or were located in a two block area of
North Main Street across from campus.
Senunas’, another long-time King’s neighbor, is
celebrating its golden anniversary this fall.
Helen and John Senunas, Sr., opened the business at
the southeast corner of North Main and E. Jackson Street,
operating the bar in the front and living in the rear portion
of what was then an upscale apartment building.
Given its proximity to campus, the business was a
popular destination for both students and faculty. The
proprietors quickly bonded with the students, becoming
what many alumni describe as “my Wilkes-Barre mom
and dad.”
King’s students appreciated the role Helen and John
played. After John died in 1975, the yearbook published
a tribute to him, alluding to how students referred to the
business as Conference Room “S”. In the tribute, Helen
noted, “John was as much a part of King’s as anyone who
paid tuition.”
In 1996, four months before her death, Helen was
honored at Reunion Weekend for her support of the King’s
Community and she was named an honorary alumnus.
John Senunas III ’83 and his wife, Rose, took ownership
after Helen’s passing. “It was never a thought to not
continue the business,” said John, who helped his parents
during his student days before beginning a sales career
Current owners John and Rose Senunas pose in front of the
“good corner” business.
shortly after graduation. “I remember my father telling
me, ‘that’s a good corner, don’t lose it.’”
Under John and Rose’s leadership, the business was
re-located across Jackson Street in 2002. They bought
the former Charlie’s Market, ending 43 years of leasing
space across the street. Also, the larger space allowed for
a larger kitchen and a full lunch and dinner menu was
soon introduced. Shortly after the move, the College
acquired the former Margarita Apartment Building and,
after considerable renovation, opened Alumni Hall, a
popular student residence.
John fondly recalls stories of his parents’ interaction
with King’s students, including a time when a recent
King’s alumnus who worked for the business had a fight
with his girlfriend. Feeling bad for the young man,
Helen baked a cake that was used as a peace offering.
“I think I’m most proud of the fact that the business has
become not only a part of the College community, but
part of the city of Wilkes-Barre,” said John. “My parents
and now my wife and I take pride in keeping this corner
the right way.”
The King’s alumni office wants graduates who have
memorable Helen or John stories to share them. Please
e-mail alumni@kings.edu and include Senunas in the
subject line. The stories will be shared with the Senunas
family.
Pride ✦ Fall 2009 25