LOWELL AREA HISTORICAL MUSEUM
  • Home
    • Fund Drive
    • Events
    • Summerfest
    • Newsletters
    • Room & Event Rental
  • Exhibits
    • Exhibits
    • Interpretive Board Project
  • Education
    • Teachers
    • Parents
  • Collections & Research
    • Museum Collection
    • Oral Histories
    • ABC's of Lowell
    • Along Main Street
    • Letters Home
    • Missing Along Main Street
    • Historical Topics
    • Genealogy Research
    • Military Form
  • Get Involved
    • Donate
    • Membership
    • Volunteer
    • Internship
  • About Us
  • Store

211 W. Main

Address: 211 W. Main

Date Built: 1883

Builder:  Morgan Lyon

1st business:  Collar & Weekes Dry Goods
 
Morgan Lyon built this four storefront Lyon Block in 1883 after a fire burned the hotel here.

Collar & Weekes, a leading dry goods and carpet establishment were the first to move here in 1884. In 1888, A. W. Weekes retired due to ill health and couldn’t work for two years. E. R. Collar continued the business here until he died in 1920. His son Clyde Collar took over until 1928. A 1913 ad reads “Specialists in Ready-to-Wear Garments.” In the beginning they employed a dressmaker.

Next the storefront became home to restaurants. Staal’s Lunch Room with Beer (1929-1940s) was operated by George Staal who was a brother to the owners, Claude and Leah Staal. George was nicknamed “Bake-A-Cake George” by Raymond Barber of B & O Grocery next door. It was the “Village Inn Bar and Restaurant” from 1961-1983 and again from 1987-1988. It was Mr. Bill’s from 1983-1985 and briefly the Celtic Isle Restaurant.

Other businesses that were here included: The Boomerang consignment clothing store, The Victorian Thymes Floral Shop, Shorebird gifts with a hunting theme, Rare Finds Antiques, Dovetail Antiques and North Star Antiques. 
 
 
Image:

Receipt from Collar and Weekes when they first opened in the Lyon block.

Take a look inside the Village Inn in 1968 when Herb Keyser was Manager and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bartlette owned it. Always Serving- Dinners: T-bone steak, Club steak, Pork chops, chicken, roast beef, baked ham and Italian Spaghetti. Sea Food – Lobster tail, jumbo shrimp, fish. Dinners include: tomato juice or soup, salad, potatoes bread & butter, beverage and Ice cream. Fish fry every Friday night. Take out: Beer-wine and fine foods.
​
Edgar R. Collar: His dry goods business was at this location for 36 years, 1884-1920.  He was a leader and sang in the choir of the Methodist Church.  He served on the Village Council and was a Mason.
 
 

Past
Present
Picture
Take a tour of North Star Antiques with Tonia.
Learn what a Hold to Light postcard is, her use of media for world wide sales, paint classes in the basement, her love of vintage postcards, and the unique treasures throughout the store.
View video
Picture

admission

Members, Free
Adults, $3.00
Children, $1.50
Children under 5, Free
Families, $10.00 max.

Hours

Museum Hours:
Tuesday 1-4pm
Thursday 1-4pm
Saturday 1-4 pm


Contact Us

Lowell Area Historical Museum
325 W. Main Street ~ Lowell, MI 49331
ph: 616.897.7688 

[email protected]
Lowell Area Historical Museum © 2013 • Privacy Policy
  • Home
    • Fund Drive
    • Events
    • Summerfest
    • Newsletters
    • Room & Event Rental
  • Exhibits
    • Exhibits
    • Interpretive Board Project
  • Education
    • Teachers
    • Parents
  • Collections & Research
    • Museum Collection
    • Oral Histories
    • ABC's of Lowell
    • Along Main Street
    • Letters Home
    • Missing Along Main Street
    • Historical Topics
    • Genealogy Research
    • Military Form
  • Get Involved
    • Donate
    • Membership
    • Volunteer
    • Internship
  • About Us
  • Store