1893 Shopping - Almost like Amazon or Peapod

If you place an order with Amazon or Peapod, you expect quick service. And, the village’s earliest residents were no different.

As background, in 1892 the Village began constructing its historic Water Tower. And, in that same year, John Henrikson opened his store at 806 Hillgrove Avenue, directly west of today’s Village Hall. In 1907, he moved to 911 Burlington Avenue and in 1926 he built his own building at 916 Burlington. Second photo. There, it continued to operate until 1954 when it was sold to Brinker’s. Today, the property is part of Casey’s Market.

Many people do not know that Henrikson’s and other early stores had already seized on the concept of same day delivery. Since most residents lived within a block or two of the downtown, they would simply walk to the store and tell the owner what they needed. And, after 1910 or so, many residents had phones and could call in their shopping lists.

The ordered items would be placed in boxes and delivered to the residents’ homes the same day. And, while credit cards were not yet invented, the store owner would put the charges on the buyer’s account. A bill would then be mailed to the residents at the end of the month. As for sales taxes, they wouldn’t come until 1932.

Although early deliveries were made by horse and wagon, Henrikson’s purchased a Ford truck by the 1920’s Third photo.

And, by 1931, the store (now called “Henrikson-Rose”) had acquired an even larger Diamond T delivery truck. Fourth photo.

Photo Captions:

Harley Perrott delivering groceries - circa 1898

Interior of Henrikson’s Grocery Store - circa 1926

Henrikson’s Model A Ford delivery truck - circa 1920

Henrikson’s Diamond T delivery truck circa 1930

Each week, the Western Springs Historical Society presents a “Blast from the Past”. To view prior stories, visit us at www.westernspringshistory.org or just click on the author’s name shown above.