Former Days on Broadway
Phyllis Badgley 5-3-10
Recent grand opening of the Food Co-op at 2008 Broadway, jogged my memory of
former tenants in that location.
In the 1930s, Serge Head owned and operated Head’s Cash Grocery there. Mr.
Head, was a congenial person, whose daily attire included a crisp tan twill
apron. He placed hand lettered signs throughout the store to draw attention to
best bargains.
I recall well oiled dark wood floors in front of the east-west service counter,
near the north wall.
Sandy haired clerk, Darrell Chaffin sacked customer groceries in paper bags,
since plastic bags, familiar today, were not yet in vogue. Chaffin’s daughter,
Jean, and myself continue friendship that spans 75 years. Handwritten letters
flow
frequently between us.
A small partitioned area immediately west of grocery department, at Head’s
store, housed Martin J. West, independent jeweler and appraiser. After Mr.
West’s passing, Roy Melville utilized the abbreviated space for a Christian
Book store. Melville later moved the business to a residence on 2nd street
between Broadway and Washington Avenue.
In the 1930s, local financier George Foster managed Eastern Oregon Savings &
Loan in an office next to Head’s grocery.
The brick building abutted the alley. Prior to W W II , Foster employed L.V.
Hammond and Don Guyer. Guyer entered the military to honorably serve his
country. Upon his return he completed a fine career with Pioneer Federal Bank,
which had evolved from Eastern Oregon Savings & Loan mentioned above.
In recent years, Prairie Flower Floral Shop utilized the Broadway location.
Upon the closing of Head’s grocery, Glen May established a bicycle sales and
repair shop at 2008 Broadway. Employee Mr. Lockwood offered a key duplicating
service there. In the east end of the building, Harve Hendrix operated a shoe
repair shop. During the 1950s, Frank Singley continued an identical business
there. The pleasant aroma of shoe polish and the whirring sound of a buffing
machine lingers still in my memory.
Several years ago Western Art Gallery occupied the building at 2008 Broadway,
and more recently a Quilt Shop utilized the premises, prior to the Food Co-op
occupancy.
During the 1940 era, next to Head’s grocery , Jim Luker located his barber shop
at corner of Broadway & First. Later, in same location, Rod Dickison operated a
barber shop there, for a number of years, until ill health forced retirement.
Today the barber shop remains open under the proprietorship of Wes. Dickison.
