Last week I wrote about the white house on Section Street so this week let’s talk about some of the oldest businesses in town.

The Mayhew Funeral home is the oldest existing business owned by the original businessman. Paul Mayhew moved into town in 1958 and turned the home on Main St into a funeral establishment. He takes the reward for being the oldest existing business operated by his family.

But there are a few other buildings still standing that have been around for a long time.  Their owners have changed over the years but basically they remain the same type of business, as they were when they first opened. They probably don’t look like the original because they have been remodeled several times.

The two businesses stand side by side on Michigan 62. The 4-Square and the Fireside have been competitors for many years.  J. W. Lockwood and Mr. and Mrs.  John Wilkinson purchased the Lane grocery store and renamed it the 4-Square Tavern around 1935. It has had many owners over the years and was well known in this area for its chicken dinners.  When I was traveling around the state as an educational consultant many people knew where Edwardsburg was located because they had traveled here for her famous chicken dinners.

Billy Roy came town and received a liquor license in 1935.  He opened the building, which had been part of Marie’s Circus. Billy Roy named his establishment Billy Roy’s Supper Club.

Wikipedia says a supper club is a dining establishment generally found in the upper Midwestern states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois and Iowa. These establishments typically are located on the edge of town in rural area.

Supper clubs became popular during the 1930s and 1940s, and traditionally were considered a “destination” where patrons would spend the whole evening, from cocktail hour to nightclub-style entertainment after dinner. Supper clubs generally feature “simple” menus with somewhat limited offerings featuring “American” cuisine. Menus include dishes such as prime rib, steaks, chicken, and fish. An all-you-can-eat Friday night fish fry is particularly common.

Billy Roy’s Club must have been a cut above the local 4-Square. By looking at the pictures in the Edwardsburg Museum collection it is believed that radio broadcasts were made held there.

Over the years Billy Roy’s Supper Club name has been changed many times as has its owners and the emphasis on its offerings.

Today these two restaurants are still in existence with their faithful followers. Look for me at either the Fireside or the 4-Square.

 

JoAnn Boepple works at the Edwardsburg Area History Museum.