New Enterprise Account Reminds of Company, General Stores

Whether you call them company stores or general stores, there was a time when every small town in Morrisons Cove offered up a one-stop shopping site where fresh foods, canned goods, homespun fabric, even some penny candy and tobacco were offered for sale.

A group of women from the New Enterprise area who had fond memories of the company store and other attractions in their town wanted people in coming generations to have at least a snapshot of what things were like before televisions, computers and video games stole all of our attention.

It was about two decades ago that they got together and put their memories to pen and paper resulting in a fun account of life in a little town so long ago.

The account, written by Joan Hershberger of New Enterprise, listed editorial content as coming from contributors: Ruth D. Long and Della Mae Grubb. Jolene Black received credits for the printing.

The missive was recently shared with us and we’re passing it along in her own words:

Company stores and general stores were popular in the early 1900s. Salemville, Waterside, Loysburg and New Enterprise became homes for the unique mini malls.

It was one-stop shopping for the local patrons. Merchandise ranged from dry goods and lollipops to coal buckets and cement.

Some housed several businesses. The entrepreneurs for these stores were a family, a group of individuals, or someone hired by another firm.

The company store on Church Street in the village of New Enterprise was a hub of activity.

The period structure stands silently now. The Church of the Brethren across Three Spring Run became the recipient of the property by the generosity of the New Enterprise Stone and Lime Co., Inc.

Over the years businesses changed, owners changed, the red-brick building with the keystone design above the windows outlived itself. A plaque on the facade bears the year 1920.

Ruth D. Long and Crist King (who at the time of the writing) resided at Homewood in Martinsburg, recalled the birth of the store.

Mr. King noted that Chalmer Detwiler, the local builder, was given credit for the undertaking. Directors for the project were Harry Snoberger, Bill Kagarise, Harry Kagarise and George Hoover.

Several businesses occupied the first floor — a hardware store, tin shop, soda fountain and grocery store. On the second floor were the offices of Dr. Paris and Dr. Gavett, both physicians. Chalmer was instrumental in starting a cabinet shop that is still in operation today, Modern Cabinet located in Altoona.

Max Hershberger, a retired farmer, recalled an excruciating experience that sent him post haste for the doctors office.

One day the five-year-old followed the horse drawn drill driven by his grandfather, Howard Hershberger. The curious lad had stuck his finger into the cogs of the drill. He just wanted to see if the pieces of the machinery were working because the cogs were moving ever so slowly.

His grandfather was very much hard of hearing. However on that day Grandpa Howard heard the ear-piercing scream. The little chap and his mother made one beeline into town and up the outside stairwell into Dr. Paris’s office. Upon examining the bloody wound, the doctor deftly took his wire brush and began scrubbing fertilizer out of the cut.

The physicians with their black satchels made house calls. Dr. Paris also was known for pulling teeth.

After the doctors were moved out of the area the rooms were turned into apartment. Among the tenants were Alma Baker, a teacher at Replogle Elementary School; Eliza Hoffman and family; Willis & Rosa Detwiler, his brother Cletus and his wife and Mae Robinette.

Next week we’ll continue this trek down memory lane with stories of the grocer, tinsmith, hardware store and restaurant all in the company store.