Archives for July 2012

Does MPHS have photographs: Yes

Address: 101 S. Main

Is building standing: Yes

What is at site: Central Continental Bakery

When was business founded: 1925

Is business still operating: No. Closed 1984.

Who owned business: Fred Meeske and family, sold in 1973.

Interesting stories, facts, history:

Meeske’s Market was a fixture in downtown Mount Prospect for 59 years. The store was begun in 1925, when William Busse Jr. sold the grocery part of his business to Fred Meeske. At that time, the market was located in the Busse Building on Main Street. In 1950 the building on the corner of Busse and Main was built to house what was then the main grocery store in Mount Prospect. The store was famous for its exceptional butcher shop and the family’s celebration of the community’s German roots. In 1973 the Meeske family sold the business, although the store maintained the name. The shop was closed in 1984 after going through a series of owners. The small locally-owned grocery store in downtown was not able to compete against massive chain stores in shopping plazas at the outskirts of town. After a renovation Central Continental Bakery moved into the space and has been there ever since.

Does MPHS have photographs: Yes

Address: 100 E. Prospect Ave

Is building standing: Yes

When was it built: 1902

What is at site: Mrs. P and Me Restaurant

When was business founded: 1923/1933

Is business still operating: No

If no, when did it close: Sold in 1977

Who owned business: William, Sophie and Henry Kruse

Interesting stories, facts, history:

Kruse’s tavern was an institution in Mount Prospect for over 50 years. The building housed the first restaurant in town, Behren’s Saloon, which was built in 1902. During Prohibition it became an ice cream parlor and lunch counter. Behren was not as excited about running an ice cream store and he sold it to William and Sophie Kruse in 1923. They ran a small sandwich shop and also sold homemade ice cream and candies. With the repeal of prohibition in 1933 William and Sophie’s son, Henry Kruse renovated it and turned it into a tavern. The family ran it through most of the development of Mount Prospect until it was eventually sold in 1977 to Denis and Lynn Miller. The Millers did some renovations but left most of the tavern intact and opened it as Mrs. P and Me’s, which is still open today.

 

Does MPHS have photographs: Yes

Address: Formerly 5 W. Prospect Ave, Currently 2012 E. Northwest Highway, Arlington Heights

Is building standing: Only the current building is still standing

What is at site: Keefer’s Pharmacy

When was business founded: 1949

Is business still operating: Yes but has different owners

Who owned business: Jack Keefer

Interesting stories, facts, history:

Jack Keefer was a World War II veteran, having served for four years on the crew of a PT Boat. After the war he and his wife moved to Highland Park and he worked in a pharmacy in Glencoe. After working for a few years, in 1949, he purchased a pharmacy in Mount Prospect from a man named Steve Brant, who had purchased the pharmacy from George Engblom. He soon became a fixture in the community. He was involved with many local organizations including the Mount Prospect Historical Society. In an interview in 1991, he remembered when he first started, being thrilled when he filled 15 prescriptions in one day. However he was here for the great boom in suburban development in the1950s and before he retired his record for prescriptions in one day had passed 285.

In 2017 Keefer’s moved to its current location at 2012 E. Northwest Highway in Arlington Heights.