Hide Article Text (OCR)
Early La Craw* Grocers (leit to right) Arthur J. Beutler, 1414 Madison; H. E. Schlicht. 2547 South 15th A J. Bruha. 215 North 15th; John J. Ilamines. 1030 Farnarn; and Theodore O. Beutler, 140 South 10th talked over old times while aiding— Tribune rh«Uwith plans lor the Western Wisconsin Food Dealers as.ociation convention here Aug. 8. 9 and 10, They were members of the earliest food dealei's group of its kind in the United States, the Lai Crosse tinner* association.Early Members Of Oldest Food Dealer Group In Country Help Plan Present Day ConventionFive grocer* who were early members of the oldest food dealers association in the United States talked over old times recently as they aided with plans for the annual Western W»scon-later. in 1894 His father, John’ ranged from 25 to 50 cents a bu- j,sin Food Dealers convention.V.. had begun a grocery business in 1874 oil St. Joseph's ridge, moving to 1219 West Avenue South After six years he moved to the present location, 901 Adams. Hammes bought hiassociation father’s interest July 25. 1894.shel.“A great deal of credit was extended in the early years. The avvrage groc ery account for one* week for a family of four was about $4 00 not including meat Our looses through bad accountsIn 1929 the third generation of were less than one-half of one ,cThe convention, to be held in the family entered the busines: per cent.La Croasa Aug h a. C Ruubci bought his Through the years list mb*to be the largest ever held by father's interest. The three gen- sumption of canned goods har.the group. It will include grocer* erations have a total ol almost been enormous. Fruits andfrom Crawford. Jackson. La 75 continuous years in the gro- fresh vegetable are used mucheery business, 88 year* of this in more in the diet. Price com-the same building. The senior parisons between the early daysHammes now works in the storr and now include: Bread. 5 centsCrosse. Monroe. Trempealeau and Vernon counties.Founded In 189?According to Arthur J Beutler. Theodore O Beutler. A. J. Bruha. John J Hammes and H E. Schlicht. the predecessor ol the present organization, the La Crosse Grocers association, was founded about 1897.with his son.The Beutler brothers began the business in their father’s store, then on Third and Market streets. Arthur J. began in 1899 and Theodore O about one yearAfor a pound !iw# which toda. sells for 14 cents: 49-pound sack oj of flour. 75 cents then, near the pi $4 mark now.Families laid in their winter rt supply of many articles of food oflater. About 1905 their father in the fall, buying potatoes and atpurchased and remodeledJ. B Murray w.. prM.dc.l ul £ bulllt;i at Kou'rth al)d Markct the griup with Harry Tag,., full time secretary and Nordah!Nustad treasurer. The association grew rapidly until about1919 when Taggart resigned to enter the malt syrup business.The group became less active until 1930 when it wfa* revived and reorganized into the Western Wisconsin Food Dealers association, to include grocers from six counties as well as local food merchants.When the early group was organized. it was one of the few iBtlimtn *s lt;»iganiza-when they moved to their present location, 1401 South Seventh street.Operated Branch StoreFor about nine years the Brut- I lers operated a branch store at 707 Rose- street, operated by J Theodore. In 1921 the two were consolidated at their new' location.Completing the quintet of early grocers, H. E. Schlicht started j his store on Tenth and Hood streets in 1902 After about aapples by the barrel, many ear- a rots and beets and usually a bar- t m rel of sauerkraut. Work was br slack during the winter months as and people prepared for it. pitions. preceding even the board year he moved to his present lo- | of trade and Chamber of Com- cation, 1608 South Seventh merce. the grocers said. Its in- street.fluence was strong It aided in securing a free bridge between Wisconsin aim Minnesota, an all-weather road to Winona and was a promoter of the ••whstewav for dowrntow-n streets. One of its large projects was the sponsorship of an annual picnic on such large scale* that all local retailers, wholesal-Grocery stores in thex* early days would hardly be recognizable to youngsters today, accord-1 ing to the grocers. There were no paper bag* fancy goods were those which cost 18 or 20 cents a can. Staples seldom! were higher than 10 or 11 cents a can.As many families had no triers and manufacturers closed ephone we would call ai home.'! for the day. A feature of the pic- for grocery orders and then de-1nlc was a parade At one of these parades, moving pictures were taken. The later were shown at the old Majestic theater.Bruha Firm! To Open Bruha was the first of the five to open his business. In September of this year he will complete 56 years in the grocery business, all at his present location, 911 Adams street. As his sons. Joe G. and Carl J., finished their schooling, they joined their father in the store and work with him today.liver.” A J. Beutler said Friday and Saturday the farmers | would bring in their butter, eggs. I potatoes, and other items and I trade them foi grocei « •little cash. In the adjoining Istreet horses were tied to the rear of wagons eating their food and resting for the homeward trip.Recall Price*The price range for butter was about 12*3 to 20 cents per pound; eggs wfere from 8 to 161 cents a dozen, depending upon {Hammes followed three years i the time of the year. Potatoes
Newspaper Details
La Crosse Tribune
La Crosse, Wisconsin, US
Sun, Jun 20, 1948
Page 10
Full Page
Clipped by
La C.
WI, USA 14 Nov 2023
Other Publications Near La Crosse, Wisconsin
La Crosse Daily Badger
La Crosse Weekly Appeal
Amerika
La Crosse National Democrat
La Crosse Democrat
