Wm. S. BRECKENRIDGE Store, Tingley IA

BRECKENRIDGE, ROUCH, JOHNSON, WEEDA, LONGCOY, COFFMAN, SOCHRAN, DUNLAP, WERNER, HUBBARD, WILSON, BLAUER, BROWN, BUCK, DRAKE, SMITH, EYBERG, MORRISON, MCELROY, HULLINGER, GOLDNER, GILLIS, TORXELL, GRIMS, PERKINS

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 5/7/2010 at 20:43:40

WM. S. BRECKENRIDGE STORE

For over 62 years, the Breckenridge Store has played an intregal role in the lives of those living in Tingley and the surrounding area. It was founded on May 23, 1921 when William Shafer "Bill" BRECKENRIDGE opened a grocery store in a small room located approximately a half a block from its present location. On May 1st of 1923, Bill relocated his stock of merchandise to the site where it has stood ever since. At the time, there were three grocery stores in Tingley.

When the store was relocated, a fresh meat counter with a walk-in refrigerator was install. O. W. ROUCH, Lola BRECKENRIDGE's father, operated Tingley's icehouse and provided ice which was placed in the top of the refrigerator. Later, it was converted to electricity and continued to serve the store, housing meat and vegetables.

In the 1923-1928 store ledger, it was noted that beef and hogs were purchased for eight-cents a pound from:

W. A. "Billy" JOHNSON, Clarence WEEDA, Henry BRECKENRIDGE, R. A. LONGCOY, D. O. COFFMAN, Perry COCHRAN, Sadie DUNLAP, Jim WERNER, A. R. HUBBARD, ROland WILSON, C. E. COFFMAN, John BLAUER, Joe BROWN, H. E. BUCK, C. DRAKE, A. W. SMITH, Roy EYBERG, H. J. MORRISON, Mrs. McELROY, B. D. WEEDA, Carl HULLINGER, Elmer GOLDNER, Mrs. GILLIS, E. B. TROXELL, Harry GRIMES, Roy PERKINS, and D. A. HAWK.

Included was a light bill for $2.39.

Dry goods and a shoe department was added in 1923. In 1930, a stock of hardware was purchased from Day CARTER and place in the store. It was expanded to include appliances, stoves, and refrigerators. At one time, the store sold harness and tarps. Shoes were repaired in the store, too, making it a "One Stop Store."

During its history, the store has been called several names - from Brairdale to I.G.A. Associated Grocery and later the Breckenridge Store.

Lola assisted in the store while raising their family of five children: Reba (BRECKENRIDGE) ERICKSON, Lois (BRECKENRIDGE) JENSEN, Jean (BRECKENRIDGE) SKARDA, Dean "Bud" and Billy BRECKENRIDGE. While Bud and Billy served their country during World War II, the girls helped out in the store along with fourteen other family members and several of the grandchildren. Frances Hannah OVERHOLTZER was a long-term employee of over 38 years.

Prior to 1946, customers would hand their orders to the clerks who in turn filled their requests. In 1946, self-service was introduced. The store also bought and candled eggs.

During World War II, the store was opened on Saturday nights until one or two in the morning. At the time, Saturdays were traditional 'going to town' days for farm families so they could sell their cream and eggs and in return purchase items they needed on the farm.

The store also provided delivery service on each Friday.

Bud and Billy assumed the operation of the store when they returned from active duty in World War II. They continued to operate the store for the next twenty years. In 1960, Billy and his wife Minnie took over the store with employees Pearl GROUT and Ed SHERWOOD.

SOURCE: Tingley Centennial book, Pp. 192-93.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2010

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