Fire Destroys Grocery

1957--Fire destroyed Clem Toepfer Grocery and Purvis Drugstore. Also damaged were Roy's Tavern, A.G.P. Corporation and apartments. The fire was first discovered in an attached shed behind the tavern. Flames shot as high as 30 feet.Fire chief Burrous thought it was one of the worst fires since the burning of the Thrush factory five years ago. Fortunately, no one living in the apartments was injured.
Mr. Toepfer decided to rebuild his store and continue serving his customers. The store was rebuilt in 1958. He continued his business until 1967. Dedicated men like Clem Toepfer are a rare breed. The children loved him and he became friends with many of his customers. Today's supermarkets lack that warm atmosphere of the old "mom & pop" groceries that were present back in the 40's to the 70's.
When i was a kid I can remember going into Fisher's Grocery close to my house. I still can remember the old pot belly stove that gave warmth to the building. My father also was in the grocery business on North Broadway. Some of these buildings are still standing but deserted. Others have been torn down. The children of today have missed the experience of these "mom & pop" groceries where you could spend lots of time picking out your favorite penny candy.