Charley's Market in Sheboygan focused on fruits and vegetables — including 4 pounds of yams for a quarter

SHEBOYGAN – Charley's Market focused its business on fresh fruit and vegetables for many years in downtown Sheboygan.

According to clippings provided by Sheboygan County Historical Research Center , Charley Street opened Charley's Market in 1926 next to the Sheboygan Theatre . In 1930, he moved to 910 N. Eighth St. from his old location a half-block south.

Street operated his store as a standalone fruit and vegetable store for several years until 1931, when he merged with Gustave Heermann's Modern Meat Market. From that point, it was known as The Modern Food Market at its 910 N. Eighth St. address. The business, as a result of the merger, became known for its full line of food.

Following the 1932 grand opening of the combined entities, the company placed a notice in the Sheboygan Press expressing its appreciation to the many patrons who visited the store at the event. The notice said that despite its 21 clerks who gave their best effort, it was nearly impossible to give prompt service.

The notice went on to say telephone orders came in such large numbers that delivery service was swamped. Even four delivery trucks were unable to keep pace with the orders that kept streaming in over the phone.

During that grand opening, 3 pounds of ground hamburger went for 29 cents. Rib roast was 17 cents per pound. Six pounds of new potatoes were 25 cents.

At the time, they advertised that they were part of The Hormel Market Plan. What that meant was that fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and other groceries were shipped in three times a week.

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It seemed that at some point the meat market union with Charley's Market didn't work out, because later in 1939, another Sheboygan Press advertisement said it was again known only as Charley's Market.

Of particular note were the prices Charley's advertised in that ad: green peppers were five for 10 cents; 4 pounds of yams were 25 cents; and a bushel of eating and baking apples were 49 cents.

In a 1950s Sheboygan Press advertisement, lively copy was almost a trademark for the firm.

One example was "The Squirrels have to eat, too! Feed them Hickory Nuts, 2 pounds for 29 cents."

Another ad declared, "For a delightful change, serve sweet and tender parsnips, 2 pounds for 29 cents" and "Fight that cold with California Sunkist lemons, juicy and thin skinned, 6 for 25 cents."

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According to a Press clipping provided by history enthusiast Fritz Goebel, in 1982, the building was torn down. Today, it is a playground at Above & Beyond Children's Museum.

Gary C. Klein can be reached at 920-453-5149 or gklein@gannett.com . Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @leicaman99 . Check out his other work at www.sheboyganpress.com/staff/4383066002/gary-c-klein/ .

This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Charley's Market in Sheboygan focused on fruits and vegetables — including 4 pounds of yams for a quarter