4348 BROOKSIDE AVENUE

Down Brookside Avenue, around the bend by the railroad tracks, was Brookside Grocery. Apparently the City considers both properties together, although the store uses the address 4346.

The Cottage by the Creek

Dana M. Thompson, proprietor, and his bride Anna/Anne/Ann A. Thompson honeymooned at their cottage on the Creek behind the store, noted the 1915 paper. Thompson was born June 21, 1880 and died in March 1966 (while visiting his daughter Patricia in California). Thompson was an active participant in local affairs, serving as a member of the school board and the Village Council. The tale is told that he hired a sleigh to ensure that voters got to the polls for an important vote regarding Brookside School. Thompson was also known for his ever-present bow tie. Mrs. Thompson was active in Indian affairs in the 1930's. The hill behind the store was known as Thompson's Hill, the best place for sliding in the winter, and the kids would go into the store to warm up. In 1924, records show that Anne sold part of the vacant land along the creek to the Village for $75 in order to place a street. At some point the house went from a cottage to a two-story Dutch colonial. It has since been reconfigured.

In 1968, the house was purchased by Alden and Thelma Syverson, and he did major reconstruction to the house. Thelma died in 1977, and Alden died in 2004.

Brookside Grocery/Antiques

As for the store, apparently there had been at least two other proprietors before the Thompsons, the previous one being Mr. Stewart. Tax records don’t differentiate the age of the house versus the store. One time owner Alden Syverson said that the store went back to 1912. The following is based on directory listings, news articles, and ads:

1912 (?) Original owner unknown

1915: Brookside Grocery – Mr. J.B. Stewart

1915-47: Thompson's/Brookside Grocery (Both Thompson and Stewart's names are included in a 1926 business directory.)

1938: Hanscome's Grocery

1940-47: Lindstrom's Food Market, operated by Reynold D. and Mildred Lindstrom, who lived at 4308 Brookside.

1948: Francis Seifert ran Seifert's Grocery - he lived at 4083 Utica

1955: In October, neighbors protested the use of the building by Warren Builders and Fabricators, who made formica counter tops.

1956: Dana Thompson obtained a permit to use the building as an office only.

1968: Syversons bought the property and rented it out at first

1970: Thelma Syverson ran Brookside Antiques until she died in 1977. Alden Syverson continued to sell off the items, but bought no more. The shop has been closed for decades, some antiques still crumbling inside.
 

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This information comes from a variety of sources: newspapers, books, yearbooks, phone directories, interviews, etc. Given the varied sources, we cannot guarantee that all of this information is correct, and welcome any additions and corrections. Please contact us with your contributions and comments.