Cains Grocery Stores ”Cain’s was a prominent and popular name among Middletown grocery stores for over forty-five years in the early and mid-century. It was located at three different places in town at certain times for obvious reasons, which we shall see. George W. Cain opened his first store in 1920 on S. Wood St. The building was just north of the former Susquehanna grade school, with his residence next to the store. His wife, Ruth (Groupe) Cain, was an important part of the operation, as was his son, Elwood later on. Cains had a large onion patch behind their garage, and Ellwood used to peddle onions in a wagon when he was a boy, the merchant life in him already. ”Cains” was a store where you could make purchases on tick (credit) and when the bill was paid, you received a five-cent Hershey’s chocolate bar. One part of the store that interested children was the large display case of penny candies to the left of the entrance. An unusual feature of grocery stores in earlier days was the sale of dried goods and fabrics. ”Cain’s” sold them for twelve years from the back of the store, with a counter holding a yardstick for measuring. Ruth Cain helped in the store as necessary, especially on the busy Fridays when many weekly orders had to be filled. For the first twenty-five years of their existence, ”Cains” had the policy of allowing orders to be called in and then delivered. Ruth also handled the financial details of the business. After Ellwood later married Anna McGill, she eventually took over the finances. Mr. and Mrs. Ebie Weirich (Mr. Cain’s sister) also helped at times in the Wood St. store. When the Susquehanna River flooded in March, 1956, the store was in the flood zone and had to be evacuated. They hurriedly moved their merchandise to a vacant storeroom on E. Water St. where Dr. Roemigs dental office is now located. Someone remembers especially that long dill pickles could be obtained from a barrel in this store. After two years, George either got homesick for the Wood St. location, or the people at that end of town missed the store. He moved part of the store’s contents back there and left Ellwood in charge of the Water St. store for three more years. On December 7, 1941 , ”Cain’s” moved to a newly erected store on the corner of Spruce and Columbia Sts., with their residence adjoining it on Spruce St. Here was a much greater facility with a large meat case, more frozen foods, and a greater variety of groceries over all. This required the help of the entire family from time to time. George was at the meat counter, Ellwood at the cash register, and the women wherever and whenever needed. Some additional staff were included: Moe Prouser, Bob Cain, Al Ulrich, as well as some high school boys off and on. After two years at this location, Cain’s stopped delivery service. The number of patrons from the heavily populated Fineford Acres made it necessary for them to pick up their own orders. Friday night was an especially busy time. The Cains were not getting any younger and had worked hard for many years. In May, 1966, they went out of business and sold the property. But the name of Cains” reliable quality grocery stores remains significant still in the memories of many people.
Posted on: Wed, 10 Sep 2014 23:33:07 +0000
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