USA > Illinois > Cook County > Palatine > Palatine centennial book: history of Palatine, Cook County, Illinois > Part 16
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18
Bounty Fair 104 S. Northwest Hwy. Palatine 1096
94
CORK & BOTTLE
T HE PRESENT SITE of Cork & Bottle, Palatine's most complete beverage service, has long been identified with the development of the business community.
More than 60 years ago, before the advent of the Auto Age, Henry Schoppe sold International farm implements from his garage, later adding the Model-T Ford and Oakland cars when the automobile came into popularity. Shortages created by World War II prompted Henry's successor, his brother Robert, to close the garage, which at that time was handling Pontiac cars.
Following the war, Charles Folkerts purchased the building at 11 S. Brockway and Cork & Bottle came into being.
Fred Korber Jr. brought to an end a 22-year absence from his home town when, in partnership with Ed Haseman, he purchased Cork & Bottle in 1954. They have since consolidated the store and garage into one operation.
The Schoppe residence on the corner, home of Henry and Harry's mother from 1892 to 1935, has been sold to Albert Koskela and will be moved from the lot to make room for enlarged parking facilities.
Born and raised in Palatine, Fred Jr. is the son of Fred and Alma Korber with whom he now resides on Quintens rd. He divides his time between management of Cork & Bottle and president of the Palatine Chamber of Commerce during this busy Centennial year.
Purchase of a local business enterprise culminated Fred's desire to return to Palatine, and he's glad he did-"Palatine is really going places !'
The package goods store offers a complete line of beer, wines, liquors, and soft drinks. Imported beers and an excellent assortment of imported wine and champagnes, together with a most complete line of domestics, is featured.
Free delivery is provided for all orders, regardless of size. Block, cube and crushed ice are also available.
Glassware loaned or available for purchase for all occasions.
Hours for Cork & Bottle are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday
The Cork & Bottle 11 S. Brockway Palatine 400
95
VILLAGE INN
The number of regular customers from neighbor- ing towns as well as Palatine who are seen regularly at the Village Inn, is proof of the good eats it has provided.
The Village Inn was started by Mildred Acree and Gladys Steinbrinck following the construction of the Pepper Block. Everybody knew Palatine needed a restaurant, but it took a bit of persuasion to convince Mrs. Acree and Mrs. Steinbrinck that such a venture merited the investment that would be required.
They were never sorry that they followed the suggestion of their friends. The two proprietors were surprised at the support they received. "The public has treated us very well," says Mrs. Acree.
For 2 years they also operated the Red Horse Grill on Northwest highway. Mrs. Steinbrinck withdrew from the partnership in 1953.
Mrs. Acree attributes a large part of the restaur- ant's popularity to the faithful service she has re- ceived the past 5 years from Mrs. Martha Reisser, head waitress and Mrs. Rose Kiehl who has charge of the kitchen.
Village Inn 7 N. Bothwell Palatine 618
RED-CLARE TV SERVICE
Providing Palatine with high quality television sales and service since 1951 has been Red Clare Television Service, 11 North Brockway.
Owners are C. G. "Red Clare" Koop and his wife, H. V. Koop, who purchased Ned's Radio and Appliance service.
They service any make of TV and radio and are exclusive dealers in this area for Zenith, Admiral, and Hallicrafters television and radio, Mitchell air conditioners, and Admiral appliances.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily except Wed- nesday, closed at noon, and Friday, open to 9 p.m.
Red-Clare Television Service 11 N. Brockway Palatine 516
PALATINE PET SHOP
Palatine's supply of parrots, parakeets, white mice, guinea pigs, puppies, cats, alligators, monk- eys, gold fish, canaries, crows, and tropical fish pour forth from the Palatine Pet shop, 10 W. Chi- cago ave.
This is not only the most complete shop devoted exclusively to pets and pet supplies in northwest Cook county, but it is also the home of the largest tropical fish display northwest of Chicago and east of the Mississippi river. There are 25 tanks of these fish featuring some 40 varieties.
Mrs. Ruth P. Bracke and her son, George, are owners of the shop which was started in 1953 by Mrs. Bracke because she loves animals and real- ized that a higher population of families have pets in suburbs than in the city.
They are now featuring custom made aquariums available no where else in the nation. A delivery service is provided.
Palatine Pet Shop 10 W. Chicago Ave. Palatine 1704
PALATINE PASTRY SHOP
The present owner and manager of Palatine Pastry Shop, 39 W. Slade, is Bob Cramm, whose father, Herman, bought the business in 1948. His son assumed direction of the enterprise in 1953. The shop handles a complete line of high quality bakery goods.
Three full-time professional bakers provide a host of bakery services, including the shop specialty, cake decorating. Palatine Pastry features a line of popular Danish goods.
Hours of the shop are 7 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. Mon- day through Saturday. They are open all day Wed- nesday.
Cramm is married and has a son, Jeffery, 1.
Palatine Pastry Shop 39 W. Slade Palatine 507
96
Palatine of Yesterday
CHARLES H. WILSON
Palatine is on the verge of substantial growth and expansion.
Charles H. Wilson, realtor, feels that everything points to this expansion. Home values are among the highest in this area; buyers get more for their home purchase dollar than anywhere else; the new swimming pool, school improvement program-all point to this development.
In order to provide sales and service for resi- dents of this growing area, Charles H. Wilson Real Estate has opened a new office at 110 S. Northwest highway. The main office has been located in Ar- lington Heights for 3 years.
Manager Norman S. Falkanger is assisted by Edgar C. Kohl and Arthur A. Schott.
Charles H. Wilson Real Estate
110 S. Northwest Highway Palatine 2010
Palatine Today
97
MOORE'S JEWELRY
You'll often find the answer to the question, "Why did you move, or come to Palatine?" the same as Charles Moore's response to it. "I did a lot of exploring and looking before I moved here, and Palatine just looked good to me."
"Chuck" Moore was abetted in this opinion by his uncle, who has also lived here since 1948, the year Moore came, purchased a home in Palanois Park, and started a jeweler's shop on Bothwell st.
"C. E. Moore, Jeweler," as the business is call- ed officially, is now located at 35 W. Slade st., in the State Bank building. Gifts for all occasions, watch and clock repairing are featured, and a certi- fied watchmaker, Thomas Walters, assists full time.
"Chuck" Moore says there are variety and inter- est in the business, particularly when antique pieces are brought in for repairs.
Moore was discharged from the Navy in Janu- ary, 1945, after 31/2 years of service. He and his wife, Mildred, were both Chicagoans and have 2 children, Linda and Charles. They're all staunch Palatine boosters now and wouldn't move back to the city for anything. They think Palatine's slogan, "A Real Home Town," just hits the spot with them.
C. E. Moore, Jeweler State Bank Building 35 W. Slade st. Palatine 951
PIONEER HOBBY SHOP
Frank McNellis says that a hobby is valuable because it provides a change of pace from the regu- lar routine.
"Hobbies provide recreation and relaxation," explains the owner of the Pioneer Hobby shop, 12 W. Chicago ave. "There is a real satisfaction to be gained from creating something."
McNellis' store has a wide array of creative items for the hobbyist: model airplanes, railroads, and boats; handicrafts of all kinds; art supplies, stamps, coins, toys, games, and archery supplies.
"A hobby is an obvious boon to an invalid or convalescent," he said, adding that it is also a deter- rent to juvenile delinquency and vandalism.
This year he organized hobby clubs for enthu- siasts of model airplanes and railroads, as well as archery. Both children and adults are members.
McNellis bought the Hobby Workshop at 6 S. Brockway, in 1952, changed its name to Pioneer Hobby shop, and moved to his present location in 1953.
He and his wife, Frieda, have 3 children and reside in Inverness.
Pioneer Hobby Shop 12 W. Chicago ave. Palatine 1501
1874
-
W. R. COMFORT SONS
There has been a lot of changes in Palatine in the past 80 years but the service given by Comfort is the same today as it was when the grandfathers of our customers of today came to us for their building ma- terial and fuel fifty or more years ago.
Comforts have met the modern changes of the succeeding years and are handling many new lines, including supplies and accessories for the inside of the home as well as for the home itself.
There is one thing that has not changed - the Comfort guarantee - customers depend upon what they purchase from us.
W. R. Comfort Sons 46 N. Brockway Palatine 35
1955
98
COLEMAN REXALL PHARMACY The Rexall Store
The Coleman Pharmacy dates back over 80 years. It was originally started in the early 1870's as the Fred J. Filbert drug store, which was located on the west side of Brockway street near Chicago avenue.
It became a part of the Robinson store in 1878 when it was moved to the present location of the Coleman Pharmacy. In 1896 Albert S. Olms. of Danforth, Ill. purchased it. It was here in 1892 that Otto O. Schroeder, later owner, started to serve his appren- ticeship as a pharmacist.
Fifty years ago a drug store sold only drugs. The walls behind the public counters were lined with shelves containing bottles in uniform sizes containing the varous drugs called for by the doctors' prescriptions. The drug manufacturers had not started to package remedies already mixed into pills and tablets. A. S. Olms and O. A. Schroeder would go from bottle to bottle collecting a "bit of this and a bit of that" concocting in- gredients specified in the prescripton.
James Toynton purchased the drug store from Mr. Olms in 1908 which allowed Mr. Olms to devote his time to his hobby, the painting of portraits and scenes in oil.
The interior of the drug store took on a different look as the drug bottles began to disappear and were replaced by packaged medicine.
Herman Zinn purchased the business in 1915 and in 1925 O. A. Schroeder became the proprietor, operating the store for 19 years. L. Vesely was the next owner and in 1945 the drug store came under the management of its present owner, Jack Coleman, who assumed management of the Rexall agency and launched the drug store on a com- plete modernization and expansion program.
In 1950 he remodeled the interior and made Coleman Rexall the first and only com- pletely self-service drug store in Palatine.
Installaton of laboratory equipment and remodeling of the prescription department in January, 1955, was another step in Cole- man's continuing effort to make Rexall the prescription headquarters for Palatine. Two registered pharmacists are on duty to com- pound all prescriptions.
The modern, air conditioned store is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sun- day from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Coleman's Rexall Drugs 40 N. Brockway Palatine 150
1855 A pharmacist 100 years ago
99
PALATINE OFFICE SUPPLY
Palatine Office Supply, opening in 1952, has sim- plified the purchase of office needs for Palatine busi- ness firms. The business started in a small way and has grown to such proportions that today it oc- cupies a full store space in the Pepper Block.
The business is an outgrowth of a typewriter agency and rental service in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Elvis Foster. In April, 1950, Mr. Foster took over the Chicago newspaper agency in Palatine, es- tablishing an office on Slade st.
The sale and rental of typewriters was moved from the home to the new quarters. That shop proved entirely too small to permit the handling of general office supplies for which there appeared to be a demand.
When the opportunity came to rent a store at 13 N. Bothwell, Mr. Foster quickly secured a lease. Today the customers come from the homes as well as from the business offices. He has expanded the stock carried and the demand for business mach- ines has increased to such an extent that a regular salesman has been added.
There are three women employees in the store and two typewriter repairmen are in Foster's em- ployment.
The sale of Chicago newspapers has increased to such an extent that 3,300 papers are sold on Sundays.
Palatine Office Supply 13 N. Bothwell Palatine 132
HERMAN E. SCHMIDT TELEVISION & APPLIANCES
Herman E. Schmidt was born and raised on a farm which is now a large section of the Inverness development. He attended District 17 school and Palatine high school as well as the RCA Institute Radio and Electronic school.
It was in 1929 that he first began repairing ra- dios, expanding his operation in 1932 to include both sales and repair. He added a line of major appli- ances to the business in 1939.
Throughout the war he did repairing and servic- ing of appliances, adding commercial refrigeration to his service in 1945.
Previously located in a showroom at Henning's garage (now Palatine Motors), Herman moved to his present store at 8 N. Brockway in 1946. He is dealer for RCA Victor, Maytag, Tappan, and the complete line of Westinghouse appliances. Also commercial refrigeration and air conditioning.
Herman, his wife, Helen, and their two children live at 17 W. Chicago ave.
Herman E. Schmidt TV & Appliances 8 N. Brockway Palatine 505
GAARE OIL CO.
From candy to advertising to oil.
That's the success story of Alfred H. Shotwell, president of Gaare Oil Co.
He became interested in the petroleum industry when he purchased the Gaare Oil Co., a Texaco dis- tributorship, which was for sale 8 years ago.
Today it is the largest fuel oil distributor in this area and has the largest and most modern storage plant in the northwest towns.
Quality products and exceptional service have been their standards. As a result, they now sell more gallonage in one month than in one year in 1950.
Gaare Oil supplies fuel oil, gasoline, industrial oils and greases to homes, factories, and service stations in Barrington, Lake Zurich, Palatine, Arling- ton Heights, Mount Prospect, Des Plaines and Park Ridge.
They use the percentograph degree day system which records high-low degrees for each 24 hours. This calculation provides an accurate analysis of oil needs and provides true automatic delivery at no inconvenience or worry to the home owner.
Shotwell and his wife, Geneva, are both active in the business.
Gaare Oil Co. Northwest Hwy. & Rohlwing Rd. Palatine 226
THE MOO BAR
A former milkman started the Moo Bar, "Home of Heavy Malts and Delicious Sandwiches," in 1948 because there wasn't a restaurant or drive-in in Pal- atine open after 8 p.m.
He is Ewin H. Meyer, who forsook an 18-year career as milkman in Barrington to open the res- taurant which features ice cream, sandwiches, chicken, fish, shrimp, barbecue, and hamburger plates as well as malts and shakes.
His partners, since 1953, have been his son, Rob- ert, and son-in-law, Robert Knigge. Meyer was born on County Line rd., the son of Henry and Anna Meyer. He attended Plum Grove school and one year of Palatine high school before completing his schooling in Lake Zurich and Barrington.
Hours for the Moo Bar are 6:30 a.m. to midnight every day except Sunday, which are 10 a.m. to mid- night.
In addition to their son, Robert, Meyer and his wife, Grace, have 2 daughters, Karen and Audrey.
The Moo Bar 154 N. Northwest Hwy. Palatine 576
100
The Nelsons' Flower And Gift Shop
THE NELSONS' FLOWER AND GIFT SHOP was a dream from the first week of the partnership (lifetime) of Jeanette and Robert Nelson.
It all started in July, 1946, in the Northwoods when Jean- ette was vacationing from her secretarial and editorial duties in Washington, D. C. Of course, she met Robert and in short order decided single blessedness was no longer blessedness.
They were married in a small church in the pine woods and then, after blythely thinking people could live on love, dis- covered that living incurs a few expenses.
Then the task of deciding what they would really like to do and still earn a living loomed before them. The Nelsons just sat down and listed all the things that each liked to do and then discussed the possibilities of what they could do and do well. They both agreed on flowers, plants and growing things. This was right up Robert's "alley," having studied forestry and horticulture at the Universities of Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Robert and Jeanette worked in flower shops in Chicago and Oak Park always with the aim of owning their own shop. By concentrating all their efforts to this goal, the time finally arrived when they thought they were ready to try their wings.
The big question first was, where? What kind of a town? How large? How far away? The Nelsons wanted a small town, a friendly intimate town, not too far from Chicago. Every flower shop listing was examined (and so often was disappointing). But after a year and a half, the Nelsons found Palatine. Since this was their first ven- ture into business, they spent several months of investigation and then, in April, 1952, made up their minds. Palatine appealed to them because of its size and friendliness; it showed signs of growth and progress, and it seemed just like a nice place in which to live and be in business.
THE NELSONS' FLOWER AND GIFT SHOP is primar- ily a flower shop, with a great deal of care and artistry taken in their floral designs; but in addition to flowers and plants, the shop also carries a complete line of Hallmark cards and gift wraps, an extensive line of gift and flower containers, and a variety of accessories for the home. They have stocked their shop with the thought in mind that tastes and uses are many, and they try to have something for everyone.
Nelsons' Flower and Gifts 101 W. Chicago Palatine 1060
101
Wilson Ben Franklin Store
ecurity for their family led Mr. and Mrs. Paul Wilson to start the Ben Franklin store NYof Palatine. Mr. Wilson, employed as freight representative for the Chesapeake & Ohio railroad, and in failing health, joined with his wife in opening up a "dime" store in the old Matthei store building at the corner of Bothwell and Railroad streets. This was in 1940 and, since Mr. Wilson's death ten years later, Mrs. Wilson has brought the store to its present prosperous status.
Orphaned in her teens, Irene Shope was cared for by her aunt and traveled from state to state, chiefly in the South. Her education was sporadic and divided among more schools than grades completed. She was married in 1927. Her oldest son, Paul, is serving in the army in Japan; second son, John, graduated last month from Cornell college, is taking on his capable shoulders some of the burdens of the store, and "baby" Mary is spending her genial personality among the second graders of Paddock ele- mentary school.
The Wilson Ben Franklin store is a sound organization, built on a foundation of in- tegrity and faith in human worth. "My philosophy of life is that people are essentially trustworthy," asserts Mrs. Wilson. "I believe everyone has a certain part of the divine intelligence in him; well, with that endowment, it's pretty hard for a person to be mean, dishonest, disloyal.
"You find generally," she continued, "in the people you come in contact with, just about what you're looking for; so if you expect them to be square, honest, dependable, why, that's usually what they will be. Anyway, that's the way they, and my custom- ers, treat me. It's a philosophy that works."
Wilson Ben Franklin Store Palatine, Ill.
B & M Construction Co.
Since 1951 William R. Bretsnyder has operated the B & M Con- struction Co., specialists in cement work, foundation floors, walks and driveways.
He formerly was partner in the Colfax Service Station but left that business to start his own concern.
In its four years in Palatine, B & M Construction has expanded quickly. Today Bretsnyder operates five construction gangs full time.
Quality work at reasonable prices has been the high standard of B & M Construction, destined to continue playing a major role in the future expansion of Palatine.
B & M Construction 242 W. Chicago Ave. 117 W. Wood Palatine 2007
102
HAEMKER & SONS
Stretching its long arms from Hanover, Germany to Palatine, and spanning nearly a century, the Haemker house moving or- ganization (now Haemker & Sons) carries on through the fourth generation.
A depression spread over Germany a- bout the middle of the 19th century and Fred Haemker, carpenter and house mover, decided to come to America. His destina- tion was Palatine, since he had friends and relatives in nearby Schaumburg.
The first moving equipment consisted of a capstan, with a black stallion as the mo- tive power. This method was replaced by a steam engine, pulling the building on roll- ers or low-wheeled wagons. Haemkers first used a winch mounted on a truck and tak- ing its power from the motor in 1928.
Today there are four trucks and a steel- cabled winch to do the moving, and dollies replace the steel rollers.
The most difficult job the firm has ever undertaken was the moving of a building using the North Western railroad tracks from Brockway street to Quintens road. This was done "way back when" by lan- tern light, between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Gaare barn moved in approximately 1916. Building pulled by steam engine and loaded on 8 wood wheels.
The largest job was a 60x100 ft. barn, and the smallest an outdoor plumbing installation in Schaumburg.
The firm is Haemker & Sons, but a fourth generation, Fred Haemker, with his brother, Wilbert, is entering into the work, while a fifth generation, Stephen, 16 months, waves his arms and gurgles approvingly at the big red trucks.
Haemker & Sons 317 W. Chicago Ave. Palatine 273 & 759-J
1928
LASEKE
ELECTRI
1950
LASEKE ELECTRIC SHOP
Alfred Laseke, of Laseke Electric Co., began this firm as a part time business 27 years ago, and called it the Laseke Electric Shop. The work con- sisted mostly of wiring and service work. In 1930 electric motor rebuilding and servicing were monop- olizing the young firm's skills and capacities, and the name was changed to Laseke Electric Co.
In December, 1950, it was moved to new quar- ters at 346 N. Northwest Highway, to meet ever- growing demands.
Mr. Laseke and his wife came to Palatine in 1928 and have never regretted their move. Alfred Jr. is a partner in the firm and handles sales and service for Lionel trains. He will have a complete line throughout the year after his graduation from Electrical School in December, 1955.
The Lasekes attribute their success to the fine support of Palatine people and adjoining towns who have patronized them and maintained confidence in their services. The Lasekes want to thank all their customers for their past patronage and hope to serve them even better in the future.
They also extend thanks to each and every one for the time and hard work given to make up this Centennial Book, which will be a wonderful souvenir to keep.
Laseke Electric Co. 346 N. Northwest Hwy. Palatine 262
103
OLSEN'S MUSIC AND BOOK CENTER
Olsen's Music and Book Center is the product of Ham and Ann Olsen. This genial couple came to Palatine in 1949. They started in as proprietors of a variety store in the newly-built Pepper block.
"We soon found," stated Mr. Olsen, "that there was a demand for music equipment, so we added records, record players, sheet music and accessor- ies. Our business grew so fast that one store could not accommodate both, and our music department was moved across the street to No. 10 N. Bothwell and we added a book department to the music store. "A broken clarinet when I was a kid in high school," recalls Mr. Olsen, "lost me a chance to be in the band, but probably gave me the idea for our repair department. We have a repair department that can take the squawk out of an ailing saxophone or restore rhythm to a stuttering snare drum.
"Incidentally, in this centennial year of Pala- tine's existence, it might be interesting to note that the popular song hits are: "Ballad of Davey Crock- ett," "Unchained Melody," and "It's a Sin to Tell a Lie." Tops in the list of books are: "Ballad of Davey Crockett,' "Power of Positive Thinking" by Nor- man Vincent Peale, "Angel Unaware" by Dale Ev- ans, and, of course, the Bible.
"And now," declare Ham and Ann, "congratu- lations to Palatine on its remarkable hundred years growth-the first and hardest-and we'll try to be seeing you again at the next centenary-in 2055."
Olsen's Music and Book Center 10 N. Bothwell Palatine 523
OLSON AND PAPENBROK
Olson and Papenbrok are dealers in Sinclair pe- troleum products and are located at Chicago avenue and Northwest highway. Earl Olson, senior partner, came to Palatine from Wauconda some seven years ago. He was born in Chicago in 1905, attended the Chase elementary school and worked as a butcher. "I was attracted to the service station business," stated Mr. Olson, "because I genuinely like people, like to meet them, and really enjoy being of service to the public." Mr. Olson still lives at Wauconda and drives down to Palatine daily. He is the father of a daughter, Mrs. Judson of Wauconda, and a son, Earl Jr., 7.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.