The Strawn Market, AKA Loveras' Grocery, Strawn, Texas. (original) (raw)
Loveras' Grocery & Market circa 1950
" I came across your old store heading and thought [your readers] would be interested in this little store located in Strawn, Texas on Highwy 16.
I purchased the building August 1, 2006 from the last member of the Lovera family to operate it and it is still up and running. Inside the store is an old meat locker dated 1926. Other than two windows being enclosed and some missing signage, the store has had very few updates. The hardwood floors are still oiled on occasion, we still cut the meat fresh and the charge accounts are still in the box. Out behind the store we have an old feed house that is still in use. This is a piece of history that I hope to pass to my grandchildren. The Abilene Reporter News did a story on the business last July."
Newspaper with a feature on Joe L. Lovera
Additional information provided by the Lovera's granddaugther follows:
The Store was started in 1913 by Louis and Eugenia Lovera. Primarily to keep their son Louis Jr. out of the coal mines, but he worked the mines anyway. The store was moved a half a block to the highway in 1930.
Eugenia and Louis Jr. both died during the Flu epidemic of 1918, just 48 hours apart, leaving Mr. Lovera to raise their six remaining children. Mr. Lovera operated the store with his children's help until he died in 1936. During the Great Depression, Butler Brothers was going to forclose on the store until Mr. Conn Hartnett came to the aid of the Lovera family. The store was operated by Lovera children until [Mr. Hartnett's} granddaughter and her husband purchased it in 1974.
Calves used to be purchased locally and butchered in the slaughter house approved by the health department. Milk use to be purchased locally from the Hill and Whatley Dairy. Eggs were bought from locals and candled at the store." - Cathy Brown, Strawn, Texas, March 22, 2007
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