S. A. Read Grocery

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About

Name

• S. A. Read Grocery

Retail

• Food and Beverage Stores

Trading names

• Sid Read's Grocery

Services

• Supermarket

Facts

Founded

• 1906
  ^{West Salem,Ohio}

Dissolved

• September1962

Related

Key Persons

Founders

• Sidney A. Read

Location

• West Salem, 44287, Ohio

Sidney A. Read established a grocery store in 1906, in a old bank building built in 1866. J. P. Bush bought the bank building after it failed in 1876 which he sold to Sidney Read in 1907. The store had an old oil pump, each stroke would produce a half gallon of coal oil or kerosene from a tank located in the basement.

Many who frequented the store remember a large antique clock which young people would insert a nickel into. If the clock rang once, 5 centers worth of candy could be purchased. If the clock rang twice, 10 cents works of candy was received. The jackpot ring was three rings which meant 15 cents worth of candy. When the clock would ring Mr. Read has two cases full of nickel and penny candy for the children to select from.

The Read building (West Salem, Ohio) also housed the Masonic Lodge (West Salem, Ohio), lawyers' offices, doctors' offices, and the Junior Order of American Mechanics.

Sidney Read closed his grocery after 52-56 years. Mr. Read sold his grocery and later the building. Mrs. Phil Fryman, agent from Jean Cook Realty in Medina, Ohio handled the sale and encouraged the buyer of the building, Morris Swack to inspect the building before he purchased it.