Life In America
Makrouhie pictured on the bottom right, sitting next to her husband, Mihran. From top left to right, their middle child, Vartkes, oldest child, Nancy, and their youngest, Astor in their Brookline home.
Family
Business
Makrouie and her daughter Nancy in front of their store.
They bought their first home together on Sterling Street in Somerville, Massachusetts. They had their first daughter on October 1, 1927, and 16 months later they had their second child, Vartkes, on February 14, 1929. They were surrounded by family in the Boston area and made very close friends. On May 31, 1935, they had their third child, Astor.
Mihran and his brothers had already established a candy making store, and eventually they started a marshmallow business. Mihran worked as a salesman and sold marshmallows all over the East Coast.
Great Depression
1935-1940
During the Great Depression, the marshmallow business declined, and eventually closed up. However, from 1935-1940, Mihran found work as a candy salesman. He went to wholesale stores, bought the candy, and traveled around Massachusetts selling candy to smaller stores.
1939
Mihran bought a small storefront off of a customer who could no longer pay for the candy. A family friend worked at the store during the day and little Vartkes worked there after school, while Mihran continued to sell candy.
May 1941
A friend told Mihran about an open storefront in Roxbury. While money was scarce after the depression, Mihran took a loan of $100 from an uncle. This was enough for Mihran to open the variety store, and stock the shelves. As war broke out, business was bustling and the Guzelian family moved to the apartment above the store.
1958
The business did well and they were even able to open a market across the street, until families began moving out of Roxbury and they decided to sell the stores. In 1958, they sold their businesses, and moved into a beautiful Brookline home.
Armenian life in America
Makrouhie and Mihran were determined to keep their Armenian heritage alive in their adopted home country. They were major contributors to the newly established St. Stephens Armenian Apostolic Church, in Watertown, Mass. Mihran served on the Board of Directors in 1952, and in 1953, Makrouhie was elected the first chairwoman of the Ladies' Guild. In 1957, Mihran was named one of three Godfathers of the church.
They were also major contributors to the Armenian Relief Society, Armenian Revolutionary Federation, and the Armenian Youth Federation.
