One Gentleman Who Remembers a Lot of Downers Grove History

John Mochel has been named historian of the year by the Downers Grove Historical Society for his efforts to expose others in town to village history.

Mochel, 88, who bears the distinction of owning the family hardware store longer than any other Mochel, will be honored at a ceremony on May 17. At the same time, the building that once housed Mochel Hardware will be recognized for its 130th year.

Mochel's grandfather opened the business at 5122 Main St. in 1884, and he began working there in the 1930s.

“I stared when I was old enough to start counting nuts and bolts and screws for inventory,” he told Suburban Life recently. “When I started at the store, Downers Grove was pretty much a farm community.

“Back when I started, we still sold cattle feed and pig feed and fencing, and other farm related articles. And we delivered. We started out delivering with horses, by the time I came on the scene we had trucks.”

— via Suburban Life Media

Interested in Local History? Learn more at the Downers Grove Historical Society