HS Board

Does MPHS have photographs: Yes

Address: Northwest Highway and Elm

Is building standing: No

What is at site: Townhouses

When was business founded: 1905

Who owned business: J. B. Crowfoot

Interesting stories, facts, history:

The Crofoot Company was probably the largest industrial concern in Mount Prospect in the 1920s. The factory produced “modern and up-to-date” staplers, and tackers for a number of uses, including assembling screens and attaching labels to shipping crates. Originally started in 1905 in the Crofoot family home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin it moved to Chicago to take advantage of the larger market and the easy access to transportation. The firm moved to Arlington Heights in the early 1920s but was lured to Mount Prospect by William Busse a few years later. When the Crofoot Company moved to Mount Prospect, they brought a workforce that greatly increased the population of the community and improved home sales in Busse’s Eastern Addition. The factory was located in a large building on the corner of Evergreen and Maple, near the water tower.

Does MPHS have photographs: Yes

Address: 101 S. Main Street

Is building standing: Yes

What is at site: Central Continental Bakery

When was business founded: 1979. Still operating.

Who owned business: Bob and Roger Czerniak

Interesting stories, facts, history:

The Central Continental Bakery is not only one of the largest and most successful bakery’s in the northwest suburbs, it is also on a very interesting site. The most influential person in the development of Mount Prospect was Cook County Commissioner William Busse and right here, where Central Continental Bakery is today, was his first house in Mount Prospect. He built his home here in 1894 and married and raised his family here. This was certainly the grandest house in Mount Prospect. There were formal sunken gardens behind the home and the home was used to entertain distinguished guests who came to town. The house was so nice that a number of William Busse’s friends asked to get married in his home. Their pastor would come to the Busse house and hold the ceremony in the Commissioner’s parlor. As William Busse got older and his children moved out he decided to build himself a new smaller home. In the 1920s he built his new house directly behind his first house, were village hall is now. He then had his first house picked up and moved onto Emerson Street and gave it to one of his sons.

He then built the building that is now Central Continental Bakery and rented it out to Meeske’s Market. Meeske’s Market was a fixture in downtown Mount Prospect for 59 years. It started in 1925 in the Busse Building on Main Street and built 101 S. Main in 1950 when they expanded. 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: No

Address: 10 S. Pine Street

Is building standing: Yes

What is at site: Capannari’s and Moehling Park

When was business founded: 2001. Still operating.

Who owns business: Ken Dix, Katie Dolan Dix, Jim Capannari, and Meg Dolan Capannari

Interesting stories, facts, history:

Capannari’s Ice Cream is located in the building that was the first general store in Mount Prospect. It was a small general store located at the corner of Main Street and Northwest Highway. The store was originally started by Cook County Commissioner Christian Geils. However, Geils soon found out that running a general store was not his calling in life. While Geils was discovering that he did not like running a general store, a man named John Conrad Moehling was in Elk Grove discovering that he did not like farming. In 1882 the two came together and Moehling bought the store. He found that he did enjoy being a store keeper and he soon became an institution in the community. He began selling farm tools, coal, seed, feed, groceries, shoes, etc. and built a warehouse along a side track to help bring in and ship out materials.

John C. Moehling was one of Mount Prospect’s biggest promoters. Throughout his career he worked hard to improve Mount Prospect and bring in new services and businesses. Moehling also convinced the Chicago Northwestern Railroad to build a new Depot in Mount Prospect and was appointed the first depot agent, a position he held from 1887 until 1902. In 1875 he was a charter member of the Mutual County Fire Insurance Company of Mount Prospect, in 1884 he organized the Jefferson Democratic Club, and in 1895 he was one of the founders of the Central School and District 57. Moehling was also appointed the first Postmaster of Mount Prospect on December 31, 1885 and based the local post office in his store. He served as Postmaster for twelve years or until 1897.

The building stayed in John C Moehling’s family for generations. However, by the late 1990s it had fallen into disrepair and its future was unclear. The Village of Mount Prospect was planning to purchase the entire block and demolish the buildings as a part of a downtown re-development plan. Concerned citizens stepped in and with the help of Trustee Paul Hoefert, were able to have the building saved. It was moved to Pine Street and largely through the work of volunteers, was rehabbed and turned into a new business. Capannari’s Ice Cream moved in and began offering homemade gourmet ice cream to the community. Soon Capannari’s Ice Cream was winning awards and the business began offering different programs for the community, including summer movie nights, and tours for elementary students. The success of the business showed the rewards that can be achieved by an active public, an appreciation of history and a responsible business.