119 E. Main

119 E. Main Part 2

Claude Staal built the third building on this site between 1918 and 1925 for his Meat Market.

Weaver’s Market was the next occupant. In 1927, O. J. Yeiter purchased the Opera House building at 302-304-306 W. Main and Weaver’s Market was one of the tenants. Weaver’s Market relocated to 119 E. Main and was at first exclusively a meat market. Later, they advertised as “Weaver’s Food Market—We specialize in everything for the Table.” According to one account, they sold the most coffee of any store in town.

In 1936, they built an addition to the rear of the building. Weaver’s advertised as a being a member of the Red and White grocery suppliers from 1946-49.

The Levee Restaurant “on the Levee just off of Showboat pier” was opened in 1953 by Peg Bedell and Josephine Bryan. It was sold to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lewis of Grand Rapids in 1954 and then Thelma Roth in 1955. Thelma cooked at The Levee every day of the week except Thursdays for 18 years; she retired in 1973.

Jack Lucchesi and his wife Emma owned and operated Lucchesi's Pizza House here from 1975 through 1981. Next it was Sparky’s Café and Pizza.

Sparky’s was followed by the Lowell Sport Shoppe in 1986. This business was operated by George and Ruth Summerfield who moved here from Tekonsha, Michigan. “George is a cousin of Lowell Wrestling Coach Gary Rivers and has fallen in love with our community. The Summerfields will move their sporting goods inventory to Lowell. The store will specialize in team sports equipment, uniforms, trophies, athletic shoes and custom lettering.” Lowell Ledger, 1986.

According to telephone directories “The Hobby Shop” was here in 1991 and Reedy Realty from 1993-1997.

Images:

Weaver’s Market, 1930s. (from photo album, Devore.)
On this photo, 119 E. Main (building on far left) has “Red and White store” lettered above the awning.

”The Levee Review Club”, as they called themselves with Thelma (Cookie) Roth at her restaurant, 1973. They are: Lyle Armstrong, Oswald Bieri, Dave Clark, George DeGraw, Clyde Kinyon, Tom LaPreze, Charles Shaw, Frank Stephens, James Sullivan, Ray Purchase, Guy Quiggle.

Article about Thelma Roth and the Levee.
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The Showboat Ticket Office is shown on the bridge to the left of Sparky’s. Photo by Thelma Hahn, 1986.