Archives for July 2012

Does MPHS have photographs: Yes

Address: 15 N. Elmhurst Avenue

Is building standing: No

When was business founded: 1916

Is business still operating: No. Closed mid-1970s

Who owned business: Henry Haberkamp, Edwin (son)

Interesting stories, facts, history:

Henry Haberkamp began his business in 1916 as a wholesale grower shipping flowers to the Chicago market for resale. Edwin, Henry’s son, worked with his father and when Ed married Irene Froemling in 1927 they took over the business upon Henry’s retirement. Irene became interested in arranging flowers and gradually the business became retail as well as wholesale. In 1949 the flower shop was built where the family home had been attached to the greenhouses. The need for more display space led the Haberkamps to close in one of the greenhouses.

During the war Haberkamp’s diverted their energies to growing vegetable plants for “victory gardens” and afterward continued with garden supplies. The retail business prospered and eventually the wholesale market needed to be discontinued. All during this time many activities were pursued by both Ed and Irene. Ed was a volunteer fireman from 1934 to 1960, and then became Mt. Prospect’s first full time fire chief serving from 1960 until 1970.” Irene taught “Flower Arranging for the Home” for over 16 years in the Adult Education Program of High School District 214. Her classes were always in demand. She offered free lectures and demonstrations on the mechanics and basic principles of flower arranging to many community organizations. The annual 4th of July parades included beautiful floats made by Haberkamps. The Christmas Open Houses were anticipated each year by customers (people?)who were treated to a Christmas wonderland of displays.

Irene constantly read, studied at design schools, exchanged ideas with other florists and became recognized as an artist in her field. She gave credit to Allied Florists’ Association and the Florists’ Telegraph Delivery Association for helping her to grow in her design capabilities. Irene appeared numerous times as a presenter at design schools that took her to several states including Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Indiana. She served several years as a unit secretary for FTD and later as a director.

Haberkamp’s Flowers was sold in the mid 70’s and the new owner moved the business to Arlington Heights.

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