By Ricky Rieckert
I’m proud to say that I received my first compliment letter from a woman reader/subscriber. Thanks to The Voice for forwarding it to me. It was really touching.
This week, I’m going to finish-up with E. Galena Boulevard (Main Street) in Aurora.
Starting at Root Street and Galena heading east to Union Street.
Shipman’s Original Gas Station / Repair Service, was on the southwest side. I think it was called Lloyd’s.
On the northwest side always was a car lot. When I was five years old, I got a job working for owner. I swept the floors, dumped garbage, answered phones, etc.
He paid me a couple of bucks every week, and he always bought lunch.
One day we had watermelon. I had never seen anyone put salt and pepper on watermelon.
On the northeast corner, was Clint’s Radiator.
Roy Ballou opened it later as Hillside Drive-in.
He made the best Italian beefs. He had everything, and it all was good.
Then later, a couple of Mexican grocery stores occupied it. Today it’s a Walgreen’s.
Moving up to East Avenue and Galena, on the northeast corner, was Hills Brother Shoes.
My mom took us kids there, it was like a Pic-Way Shoe’s, today.
Across the street, was Steven’s Cleaner’s, on the southeast corner. Susan Koepke’s family owned and ran it for years. Susan’s brother, Steve Miklosik, ran it until it closed.
Just east of Hill’s Brother’s, was Main Street Baptist Church, before Smith Boulevard.
Between Smith Boulevard and Hickory Street and Galena and East New York, was a city block of houses.
They relocated two of them, but knocked down the rest, to build a Jewel / Osco store.
I went to school with Mike McGehee, whose house was moved to S. Fourth Avenue, west of Smith Boulevard.
Moving east to Ohio Street, there was a gas station on the northwest corner.
Beupre School on the south west corner and Main Street Grocery Store on the northeast corner. A great store to shop.
Enjoy the Fall weather and see you next week, Ricky.