With the announcement that the Dilly Bean will be closing in May and the fact that the storefront will be available to rent, I thought it might be interesting to look into the history of that building. This column is the first in a three-part series that will continue through the following two Saturdays.
Joe and Cherie Hughes purchased the property from Paul and De Paulson on June 10, 2002 and later moved the Dilly Bean from 1020 17th Avenue to this location.
Henry Hoehn and Jefferson H. Weber purchased the Roth property on the northeast corner of the square on Dec. 2, 1878 for $3,500. The old brick Bank of Monroe building (shown on the top of page 23 of the Pictorial History of Monroe) was built here in 1856. Their major competitor in buying the building was Peter Wells whose last bid was $3,490.00.
Hoehn & Weber operated their clothing store in the old building for more than four years. They announced in August 1882 that they were “making arrangements to build a large fine brick store on the site of the old red corner one” as soon as they could find temporary quarters to operate their business, probably in the spring.
Like a game of musical chairs, J. H Miller moved from his storefront so that Durst & Hodges could move their business into Miller’s location. Hoehn & Weber then moved in February 1883 to their temporary location in the building on the north side of the square that Durst & Hodges had vacated.
Demolition of the old building started in February. That must not have taken long since the iron cornice for the new block had already arrived in early May. The Monroe Sentinel stated on May 9, “it is a very elaborate and massive affair that will add much to the appearance of the new building.” By May 30, “The walls of Hoehn and Weber’s new store building are up ready for the roof and cornice.”
It was announced on Aug. 22 that they were nicely fixed in their new store, “which is one of the finest in the Northwest.” It was an elegant building throughout. “The celebrated tubular lamps are used and in the evening the store is as light as day.” The second floor was being used for their manufacturing business. Their new salesroom was 28 feet by 95 feet and they carried a stock of $20,000. There was also a basement in the building. (The new building is shown on the top of page 16 in Monroe Area Pictorial History.)
Messrs. Hoehn and Weber announced on Jan.18, 1887 that the business was being dissolved. “The business will be continued and carried on by their successor, Henry Hoehn, who will pay all debts of the late firm and who is authorized to receive and collect all accounts and notes due the late firm.” It seems that Henry’s son became a partner in the business immediately as the city directories of 1891 and 1895 list the business as Hoehn & Son with Albert as a partner.
The Sentinel reported on Feb. 17, 1892 that the store was being repainted and his system of electric lights repaired. Then on March 9 it said that the men were already making improvements to the inside of the store. “Hoehn’s store interior has been greatly improved and beautified recently, by the application of paint and decorative paper. Mr. C. E. Tanberg was master of the brush and pad, and the handsome appearance of this store room is a credit to his good judgment in combining colors.”
Henry announced in January 1896 that he planned to retire on Feb. 1 and that Albert, who had been associated with the store for 10 years, would be Henry’s successor. “We opine Henry will feel much like a fish out of water for a time, until he gets used to the new conditions.” Henry was 53 and Albert was 23 at this time.
In his retirement letter, printed in the Sentinel on Jan. 29, he mentioned that he had been in the mercantile business for more than 30 years and his health “was breaking down” and he needed a rest. “I have devoted the best efforts of my life, dating from the close of the war.” He thanked the “hundreds of friends for their steadfast and appreciated patronage [and] for their uniform confidence expressed in so many ways in one long business intercourse.” He asked that the customers continue to support Albert who was “a competent and progressive merchant, whose experience and acquaintanceship will enable him to continue the reputation and character which I have ever striven to maintain for my business house, and thereby to merit your future kind patronage.”
Albert only continued in the business for another three years when he sold the business to two of his employees, John C. Discher and John J. Schneider. Discher had been with the Hoehns for 14 years and Schneider for six years. The business then became known as Discher & Schneider and also as 2 Johns. Albert soon moved from Monroe; he is not listed in the 1900 city directory.
This article will be continued next Saturday.
— Matt Figi is a Monroe resident and a local historian. His column will appear periodically on Saturdays in the Times. He can be reached at mfigi@tds.net or at 608-325-6503.
