Nov 16, 2023

📷 Throwback Thursday: J.S. Dillon and Sons - Vol. 44

Posted Nov 16, 2023 12:00 PM
Dillons Store #10 - Mom's Attic - 800 E. 4th - c. 1940. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
Dillons Store #10 - Mom's Attic - 800 E. 4th - c. 1940. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

Hutch Post, in partnership with Steve Harmon and the Conard-Harmon Collection, is proud to present Throwback Thursday. Enjoy a weekly release from Steve Harmon as he presents the "Hutch - Then & Now Collection."

STEVE HARMON
Hutch Post Contributor

Today's "Throwback Thursday Collection" takes us to the northeast corner of North Pershing Street and East Fourth Avenue.

The J.S. Dillon and Sons Grocery Stores were created right after World War I by Ray and Clyde Dillon. They flourished quickly and spread to many outlets. About 1932, they constructed store #10 at 800 E. 4th. The first photo shows that location in 1940.

Dillons Store #10 - Mom's Attic - 800 E. 4th - c. 1940. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
Dillons Store #10 - Mom's Attic - 800 E. 4th - c. 1940. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

The second photo not only shows that Dillons store, but also the Bob-O-Leah Dairy next door at 804 E. 4th in 1941. That business was there between 1941-1947.

Dillons - 800 E. 4th & Bob-O-Leah Dairy - 804 E. 4th - c. 1941 (1941 to 1947). Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
Dillons - 800 E. 4th & Bob-O-Leah Dairy - 804 E. 4th - c. 1941 (1941 to 1947). Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

In 1955, Dillons closed this store to build a bigger, newer store just west at 734 E. 4th, which opened in 1956. In the 1960s, this building was Trend Stores Inc. Shoes.

In the 1970s, the store was Austin's Inc. Shoes.

In the 1980s, it had become a bingo hall. About 1990, Don and Janice Frye opened Mom's Attic, antiques, books and records in this location. The third photo shows that business.

Dillons Store #10 - Mom's Attic - 800 E. 4th - Jan. 5, 2016. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
Dillons Store #10 - Mom's Attic - 800 E. 4th - Jan. 5, 2016. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

In 2018, Steve and Shirley Fiffe purchased the property and created The Warehouse on 4th, antiques and stuff. The fourth photo shows the property at 800 E. 4th today, still The Warehouse on 4th, with the property owned by Fiffe Enterprises L.L.C.

Dillons - The Warehouse on 4th - 800 E. 4th - Oct. 15, 2023. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.
Dillons - The Warehouse on 4th - 800 E. 4th - Oct. 15, 2023. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.

To purchase a print, contact: [email protected].

Throwback Thursday is brought to you by:

Gambino's Pizza
Sleep Shoppe & Furniture Gallery
Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce
STRATACA Kansas Underground Salt Museum

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