Saturday, October 16, 2021

REMEMBERING NEIGHBORHOOD GROCERY STORES

     Tony Crandell, BHS-69, has added to the recent memory of northside neighborhood grocery stores. He wrote, "it was very interesting to read Mike Ahlstrom's history with respect to the Superette and Fergie's neighborhood stores. Since Mike was a classmate of my wife's from K through graduation, lived in her neighborhood, and attended Lowell school with her, we try and stop whenever in the Atlanta area to see him and his wife, Doreen. To show you how old I am, I remember shopping at the ORIGINAL Kelley's Crawford street store. I was in third grade and lived at the intersection of 17th and Division streets. It was only a four block bike ride to the Crawford street store. I am still amazed at how much stuff your dad was able to display and shelve in that little building."
     Here we go....with some editor's memories on this same subject.
     Yes, my folks and I came to Boone July 1, 1946 after my dad purchased that small grocery  AND the house, north, right next door that I grew up in, from Toots Shadle for the grand purchase price of $13,000. He must have made a killing because July 5, 1950, he moved to the much larger Superette on 17th street between Crawford and Carroll. The Superette served the area until June 17, 1967, about the time the bigger downtown stores began offering many more hours of service and other things the smaller stores couldn't match. At about that same time, many of the other 26 neighborhood grocery stores that, at one time, served Boone residents started dwindling to oblivion. That Superette building became four small apartments and is still operating as such. By the way, that tiny Original Kelley's grocery building on Crawford is "still alive." It was moved clear across town to a spot right across the street from the Salvation Army headquarters near Fifth and Benton streets. There, it became Rinehart's neighborhood grocery and, later, a beauty shop. I have no idea what is occupying that building now.
      P.S. I, the Kornerman, confess.....it wasn't me that tracked those 26 grocery stores mentioned. The late John Veale, BHS-46. receives the credit. He did an extensive study of neighborhood stores one time for the benefit of a story in the Boone County Historical Society's monthly publication and that's the count he came up with.
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     BOONE CONNECTED DEATHS
     Barbara Herrig Davidson, 70, Boone. Grew up in Boone. BHS-69. Married Ron Davidson in 1974. Worked at Citizen's National Bank and then from 1990 to retirement in 2016, worked at the Polk County Clerk of Court's office. Survivors include her mother, Laura Herrig, of Ames, a daughter, Amy Davidson of Boone, a sister and two sisters and brothers-in-law including Janie and Bill Davidson of Boone.
     Marilyn Maxwell, 87, Madrid. Born in Algona. Family moved to Madrid. Married Jerry Maxwell in 1952 in Madrid. Helper her parents in Steve's Cafe and worked the night shift at Bournes in Ames and then worked at 3M in Ames. The couple moved to Payson, AZ in retirement but in 2013, after Jerry had died, moved back to Madrid. Survivors include a son, Mike Maxwell, of Madrid and two daughters.
     Janetta Christine DeHoet Orton, 61, Boone. Born in Ames. Ballard HS-78. Married Manuel Orton in 2006. Worked 10 years at Mary Greeley but ill health forced early retirement in 2008. A sister and brother survive.
     Virginia Ruth Gates White, 89, Runnells. Born in Boone. Luther HS. Married Bob White in 1954.  Worked at Iowa Workforce Development. Survivors include her husband, Bob, two sons and a brother.
     Emma Nizzi Nelson, 89, Urbandale. Born in Illinois but the family moved to Madrid. MHS. Married John Nelson in 1961. Worked for Central Life and Liberty Mutual. A son and daughter survive.
    Nancy Sue Endreland, 69. At one time, worked in the Boone/Story County probation/parole office. Retired from the Woodward Resource Center in 2013.
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     Worldwide Korner headquarters are located at 928 South Jackson, Boone, Iowa 50036-4932. Phone number is 515-432-1530. Leave a message. To email your stories/memories/comments........ kelleyskorner 1@gmail.com.
     
     

    
    

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