Along Main Street: 205 E. Main Street

The Lowell Area Historical Museum is taking us on a stroll along Main Street and sharing the history of buildings in Lowell’s historic downtown. To learn more about Lowell history, visit the museum website to explore its collection of local artifacts and records.

 

Address: 205 E. Main
Date Built: 1905
Building Name: Negonce
First business: Marks Ruben Dry Goods

The original brick block was built in 1881. The Dry Goods store of Chester G. Stone operated here until he was forced out of business by the Panic of 1893. After that, J. B. Nicholson Dry Goods was here until the Fire of 1905.

The Negonce Building containing four storefronts, 203-209 E. Main, was built in 1905. “Marks Ruben to whose persistent energy, the success of the entire enterprise is largely due, will have a double store on his own.” He opened his Dry Goods business in both 205 and 207 E. Main. A “Bad Calamity was Averted” in 1907 when fire was discovered on a dry goods table near the coal stove and was put out with only smoke damage to the goods. J. Howard Payne Dry Goods was successor to Marks Ruben in 1909.

In 1912, it was home to R. T. Ford Hardware; his tin shop was on the 2nd floor. Then in 1933, the Price- Rite Hardware of C. W. Cook and A. F. Armstrong began at this location.

Thompson’s Sanitary Market (meats) owned by Butch (Germain) Thompson was here, 1940s-1952. Next it was home to Herm’s Sanitary Market (1952-1959) owned by Herm Scholten and then Bob’s Sanitary Market. Gary Laux bought Lowell Cut Rate Market in 1965. He renamed the business “Gary’s Country Meats” in 1980. It continues as a meat market operated by Gary’s son, Aaron Laux.

Above is Gary Laux, behind the counter, purchased the Lowell Cut Rate Market building form Myron Henry and the business from Marion Leestma in 1965. He had worked in a Butcher Shop as a Meat Cutter during and after high school for 6 years and had also served in the U.S. Army.

Here’s what 205 E. Main Street looked like then, when the Rite Hardware Sign could be seen on the building.

And here’s what it looks like now: