Archives for July 15, 2012

Does MPHS have photographs: No

Address: Intersection of Route 83, Rand Road, and Kensington (Foundry) Road

Is building standing: No

What is at site: Vacant pharmacy building

When was business founded: 1955

Is business still operating: No. Business closed and building demolished in 1969.

Who owned business: Jack Gunnell

Interesting stories, facts, history:

The land that became Gunnell’s Restaurant and Bowling Alley has a history that spans over 100 years. It was located at 1 E. Rand Road, at the corner of Rand Road and Elmhurst Road directly across Kensington from Randhurst.

The first documented business on the property was Rand Tower. Rand Tower was a popular place to dine and dance from 1925-1941. They hosted many large events for clubs and organizations and were known for their chicken dinners and hosting dance parties until the wee hours of the night.

In 1941, Steve Sobie purchased the property and renamed the restaurant Sobie’s Café. People dined at Sobie’s Café for everything from chicken and steak dinners to chicken chow mein. In 1949, the tower of Sobie’s Café caught fire due to a neon sign short circuiting. The restaurant was able to reopen quickly and was rebranded, focusing on business lunches and banquet/group dinners. In 1952, Sobie leased part of his land to Mr. and Mrs. Albert Heller, who opened an amusement park named Kid-E-Ranch. Kid-E-Ranch featured live ponies and a variety of rides for little ones, such as a steam engine, merry-go-round, and miniature planes.

Jack Gunnell, who also owned El Rando across the street, purchased the property in 1955 and opened Gunnell’s Restaurant and Bowling Lanes. The restaurant was sometimes referred to as “El-Rando Annex.”  Gunnell’s was known for its family friendly atmosphere and many Mount Prospect residents have fond memories.  In 1969, Gunnell’s was sold to the L. Fish Furniture Company and a variety of businesses have been on the property since.

Although this property has a long history, MPHS has no photos of any of these businesses. If you have any photos or memories, please message us so we can add them to our archives. The photo below shows the intersection of Rand Road, Kensington (Foundry) Road, and Route 83 some time between 1962 and 1969. Gunnell’s is the structure at the bottom of the photo.

Does MPHS have photographs: Yes

Address: Mount Prospect Plaza

Is building standing: No

What is at site: Mount Prospect Plaza

When was business founded: Company was founded in 1914 but opened in Mount Prospect Plaza in 1961

If no, when did it close: 1977

Who owned business: Maurice and Nathan Goldblatt

Interesting stories, facts, history:

Goldblatts was an important early department store in the Chicago area. Through large scale purchases, they were able to negotiate lower prices and increase the number of customers who came into their stores. They were even able to increase their customer base during the Depression. They opened one of the first department stores in Mount Prospect, at the Mount Prospect Plaza, the first strip mall in Mount Prospect. By the early 1970s Goldblatt’s had over 40 stores in the Chicago area.

Unfortunately, a major fire tore through Goldblatts in 1977. It took several hours and more than 100 firefighters from 9 suburbs to bring the fire under control, as ice and freezing temperatures delayed the extinguishing of the fire. After the fire, Goldblatt’s moved to Arlington Heights.

The vacant space was soon turned into a park with public art. One of those sculptures on display was “Hula Pole,” a giant kinetic sculpture by George Rhoads. By the late 1980s the park was replaced by another commercial building.

Top photo caption: Aerial view of Mount Prospect Plaza in the 1960s
Bottom photo caption: Goldblatts fire during the morning of February 6, 1977

Does MPHS have photographs: Yes

Address: 320 W. Central

Is building standing: Yes

What is at site: Friedrichs Funeral Home

When was business founded: 1958 in Mount Prospect. Still operating.

Who owned business: Hank Friedrichs

Interesting stories, facts, history:

The Friedrichs Funeral home has been offering mortician services in Mount Prospect for close to five decades. The family business goes back over 100 years and four generations, although it has not always been in Mount Prospect. Hank Friedrichs has been very involved with community organizations and has been a large supporter of the community.

Photo taken in 1965