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Home My WebLink AboutTimes-Advocate, 1986-04-16, Page 15Renovation, expansion completed by third generation Times -Advocate, April 16, 1986 Wu,fli SI.00s founder was p�pulor 'attraction' While recent renovations at Wuerth Shoes has transformed the store into an attention -getting edifice, it pro- bably won't attract any more atten- tion that it did when it opened almost 50 years ago. At that time, founder Alf Wuerth had his shoe repair business set up in the front window and oldtimers will recall that it was a favorite gathering spot on the Saturday night visit to Ex- eter to watch him ply his trade of mending footwear. While there have been many struc- tural changes at the store, the owner- ship has remained under the same name for those 50 years, although it is now being carried on by the third generation. The late Alf Wuerth learned the BOOK SALE SET Middlesex County Library will be having their annual booksale on Thursday, April 24 from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. For sale will be novels, biographies, children books and many others including paperbacks. There will be different selections dur- ing the day. shoe repair business during World War I in the village of Crediton under the tutelage of Barney Brown. In 1936, he and his wife, Lucille, purchased a grocery store in Hensall and the following year moved to Ex- eter's Main St. at the present site of the Mane Event, having purchased the shoe repair business of a Mr. Severn, whom it was reported, was among Exeter's bootleggers. One year later, the Wuerths pur- chased the store at 369 Main St. from the late William Middleton for the stately sum of $1,100. The building, to that date, had been operated as a restaurant and had been built by one of the descendents of Exeter's first settlers, James Willis. Part of the original bulling has now been uncovered in the recent renova- tion project. During World War II, Alf and Lucille Wuerth ran the business by themselves, selling only men's boots, shoes, belts and work gloves in addi- tion to the thriving shoe repair business. Their son, Reynold, came into the business in 1996 after serving with the RCAF overseas in the war and dur- ing the late '40's and early '50's the Good Luck Wuerth Shoes Sign supplied by CONSOLIDATED SIGN & LIGHTING SERVICES CREDITON 234-6721 &il ?iVih6d to Wuerth Shoes We were proud to have done the electrical work for this fine expansion. Sweitzer Electric Ince R R 2 Dashwood 238-8354 to Zuch Wuerth Shoes mAl We were happy to have been selected to supply the carpet and flooring. ru1HItun u.. ass Main Woe, Ei.t.r 233.1990 Conjraiufationi to Wuerth Shoes on your expansion We were pleased to have supplied the building material Exeter 235-2081 ConjratJaiioni to Wuerth Shoes on the opening of your newly renovated store. We are proud to have been your contractor. Roger Dougafl Construction Ltd. Exeter, Ontario store employed three to four employees in the repair department to meet the demands of the business generated by RCAF Station Centralia. A pickup and delivery service was provided at the air base and person- nel were provided with window signs to stick up whenever they wished to have repairs attended to. In 1964, Rey and his wife, Willa, purchased the business and added a full line of retail footwear for all members of the family, while conti- To the Editor: Recently my six year old son was a guest at a birthday party in Exeter. After having a terrific time at the New Ortean Pizza Restaurant the mother escorted the children to her car and she went into the Mac's Variety for a moment, when she returned, she discovered a car load of hysterical crying little boys and girls who had been terrified by teens loiter- ing outside the store. The teens had threatened these little children by lighting fire crackers and telling the car load that they were going t� blow up the car. I have seen young people in Hensall letting off fire crackers in my own community and I urge parents to talk to their teens and explain the dangers and responsibilities of handling ex- plosives. It reminds me too much of a Lebanonf Ireland or other terrorist communities where innocents are drawn into situations they cannot comprehend. Our children in Huron county deserve more security from teens and adults than this. Janis Bisback, Hensall Stanley plate coming soon ruing the repair service. That service was maintained although the shoe repair business in moat communities was in a severe decline and is not even available in the nuijority. In 1904, John and Linda Wuerth pur- chased the business and continue tb operate it with the former's parents, who still maintain their activities. Wuerth Shoes is still one of the few full service shoe businesses left in On- tario, although the repair activities have been moved away from the front windows where they once attracted considerable interest. Some other things change as well...no longer do Wuerth Shoes have Page 15 new leather oxfords available at the 62.25 price advertised by the store's founder 50 years ago. However, nostalgia buffs can still see the wooden ladder sliding along a metal track that store staff use to reach the shoe displays above their heads. That system was a common sight in most stores, but few remain. AN EXTRA ONLOOKER — Not only humans were interested in the display window at Wuerth's Shoes. The display features antique shoes collected by Rey Wuerth. The car parked outside is reflected in the picture. L By MARY CHESSELL Varna Committee members for the Stanley Sesquicentennial have been receiving enquiries about a souvenir plate. Artist Rick Riordan, a former Goderich resident who is familiar with this area, was asked to paint a design for reproduction on a porcelain plate. The publicity committee . directed him to incorporate the lake, the setting sun and farming about the turn of the century. The result is a beautiful scene entitled "Day's End". The plates should arrive by the begin- ning of May. Anyone wanting placesnats for local dinners should ruest them early, 4s be oiB: fbeyr ale ibuted to other locations. Julip Wintario will telecast from a tent at tke pa Another event ha$ bee�,$lded' a\ cricket match in Bayfieinh July 27. Over 40 floats have been entered for the Homecoming Weekend parade, which will begin at the farm of Mack Webster. Dessert Euchre A good crowd enjoyed a large array of scrumptious desserts at Varna U.C.W.'s dessert euchre held last Wednesday at the Stanley Complex. Floyd McAsh entertained with a variety of piano music Twenty tables of euchre were in i play, with high prizes won by Jean Henderson and John Semple. Olive -McKinley and Bill Caldwell had the low scores. Gladys Telford won the lone hand prize. Door prize winners were Mary Broadfoot, Anna Brock, Nettie McClinchey, Grace White, Doris Carnochan, Bill Caldwell, Olive McKinley, Aldie Crich, Florence Rut- zon, Beth Dutton, Frieda Moore, Dorothy Talbot, Margaret Hess, Ruby Triebner, Dorothy Ostrom, Grace Evans, John Semple, Suzie Pollock, Doris Cpntelon, Maureen Hayter, Noreen Hayter, Mary Sharpe, Marjorie Caldwell, Retta Baird, Ida Godkin, Lorna Johnston, Irene Whitmore, Margaret Trevina, Pearl Hutchings, Kate Keys, Mary Dale, Deb Rathwell and Jean McEwen. Proceeds from ventures such as this are used for donations to Family and Children's Services in London, our Sunday School, Clinton Hospital Auxiliary, special mission projects of our church women, church camp, the area Vacation Bible School, Alma College at St. Thomas and World Development and Relief. Personals Bill awl Eleanor McAsh and Bob and Marjorie Stirling returned Thurs- day night from their holiday in Sad- dlebag Park near Lake Wales in Florida. The Stirlings were away a couple of weeks, the McAshs since late January: They enjoyed almost perfect weather and came home feel- ing great. Bob and Elva Peck returned a cou- ple of weeks ago after a two month stay in Yuma, Arizona. They were on- ly a few miles from Marlene and Elroy Desjardine of Zurich, and next door to Marlene's sister, Shirley Gunn and her husband Bill of Victoria, B.C. They were shocked to ar of Shirley's death since their i rn, as she was apparently in goon nealth. The Pecks took trips to surrounding areas and attractions, such as the famous San Diego Zoo. Bob attended a vacuum cleaner Dealer's conven- tion and a satellite dealer's conven- tion in Las Vegas, where Nancy took a picture of him with President Reagan- he carries the picture with him, ask him about it! He had the pleasure of shaking hands twice with Gene Autry at ball games between the Los Angeles Angels and the San Diego Padres. Bill and Marjorie Consitt called on them when they were in a parkin the . area. Pie head Now. Save,�� up to $60 or moreis smelting on your newAnmstnang Candide floor. a INSTANT REBATE: $300 SQ. YD. Who could resist it - an instant $3 cash re- bate on every square yard of beautiful Armstrong ' Candide you buy! You could save up to $60 or more on an average 12' x 15' floor. Rebates end �`��,/ May 3rd, so hurry in now. And save. ' t.v• -, 12 ft. Armstrong Vinyl Floor from $759 7S9 4 12 ft. Sundial Solarian from $' 249 We give professional installation of sub -flooring, vinyl and carpeting. Free delivery anywhere in Ontar o I'M&RTENS '114 u 1 BB 11112LIII 63 MAIN ST. 235-1964 EXETER 1