During the first half of the 20th century, multiple businesses occupied the first floor of Village Hall, now known as Infinity Hall. Built in 1883 as a multi-purpose building, Village Hall provided the town with a commercial complex as well as a much-needed cultural center upstairs, where townsfolk could gather for lectures, concerts, dances and other entertainment. The hall opened on July 30, 1884, with a performance of Gilbert & Sullivan’s “Pinafore.” The following year, members of the Norfolk Roller Skating Association used the second-floor space as a roller-skating rink on Tuesday and Friday evenings, with spectators admitted to the balcony. Later, variety and minstrel shows, silent movies and school graduations took place there. The shops on the ground floor were anchored by Cone & O’Conner in the central section. Next door was P.C. Holleran’s meat market and, at the far end, James Scott’s fruit and vegetable store. The striped barber pole at the corner of the building was the sign for Louis Waldecker’s barber shop, located in the rear. The entire complex offered residents a one-stop shopping and cultural experience.

—Ann Havemeyer