Downers Grove, IL: Mochels Hardware Store

When we moved into Downers Grove in 1976, Mochels Hardware Store was still in the downtown area selling True Value hardware. It was one of three True Value hardware stores and two other hardware stores in town that are now gone. I assume they were victims of the "big boxes." It was a neat old hardware store. It had the smell that is unique to old hardware stores and part of a wall consisted of little boxes that contained fasteners and other little fiddly pieces of hardware. And it was staffed by the owners and they knew where to find stuff.

The text of the following plaque that has been mounted on their old building reads:

Levi Mertz and Charles Mochel constructed the original building at 36 S Main (later renumbered 5122 Main Street), where the 2 partners opened their business, Mertz & Mochel, on June 25, 1884. The building consisted of a basement and 2 stories, utilizing wood columns, beams and floors, and was bordered by alleys on the south and west. Electricity was added in 1900.

In 1922, Mertz sold his interest to Charles Mochel, who formed a partnership with his son, John Mochel, Sr.  The business was renamed Charles Mochel & Son. Also in 1922, by closing the alley to the south, the Mochels expanded the building for the first time. Next came the 1932 facelift that changed the store front to what is seen today.

After Charles' death in 1946, John Sr. renamed the business Mochels Hardware, establishing its legacy under that title.  The ambitious 1955 expansion doubled Mochels building in size. The main and second floors were extended above the newly excavated basement addition, all reaching the west alley.

John Mochel Jr., joined his father, John Sr., as partner in 1957. In 1960, just a year after the store's 75th anniversary, John Sr. passed away. From that time, John Jr. was the sole proprietor until Mochels closed in 1995, ending 111 years of serving residents of Downers Grove and neighboring towns. Mochels is the only centennial business on Main Street in the history of Downers Grove.

 The Mochels Hardware building is a tribute to the three generations of Mochels who were actively involved in local government , civic organizations, and community service, greatly influencing the development of the Village of Downers Grove for over a century.

20140828 0044

The plaque confirms that Mochels Hardware is spelled without an apostrophe, which is consistent with Downers Grove. Below are some photos the DG Historical Society posted on their Facebook account to commemorate the dedication of the above plaque.

1890, DG Historical Society

1900, DG Historical Society

Sometime between 1922 and 1932, DG Historical Society

1924, DG Historical Society

1934, DG Historical Society

1954, DG Historical Society

1994, it looks like Easter is coming, DG historical Society

The stone at the peak on the left side of the building records that it was built in 1923. And the current owners have retained the ornate tin ceiling.

Michael Matalis posted
Ceramic plaque found while digging thru the kitchen this morning. About 6"x6"

Per Bob Lalich's comment below, these are the photos. The prices of 5.97, 3.67 and 1.88 are a reminder of how much the dollar has inflated.

1

2

3

(Facebooked)