Venberg Building
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
Now occupied by Andrew’s, Inc., this structure housed the first department store in Glendora. Arthur Venberg was an early Glendora merchant who originally began his store in what became the Reed’s hardware building. This building was constructed in 1925 at a cost of $25,000. The architect was L. E. Richardson, the contractor was Mans Hopper. Also a “vernacular brick” structure, it is representative of many commercial buildings built here and throughout foothill communities during the period c. 1900–1920.
Images
Venberg Building
Andrews, Inc.
Article from the The Glendora Glearner, June 5, 1925
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
In 1926 the store enlarged and changed to include women's wear, and a larger variety of ready to wear items. The new building also housed a beauty shop which was operated by several different owners, including Dorothy Evans Singleton, and Delore Watkins Fay. It was Glendora's first department store and became one of the longest continuing operating businesses in Glendora. The Venberg family lived on Vermont Avenue originally but eventually built their own home at 535 N. Michigan, later building another house across the street at 550 N. Michigan Avenue.
Andrews Inc., is a family owned business and when they bought the building in 1985 there was much time and money spent refurbishing and updating it. The ware which had been the beauty shop now serves ad the office, and the area which had been a mezzanine now houses tailors for the customers alterations. The interior is tastefully decorated and new lines of merchandise have been introduced. The Andrews, as did the Venburg family, contributes to local affairs and continue to serve the community as a business as well as individually.
Sources
Kobzeff, Mildred. The Venbergs. The Glendoran. Sep - Oct 1987, 63 - 64.
Arthur and Mattie Venburg. The Glendoran. May - June 2005, 50.
The Andrews Story. The Glendoran. Nov - Dec, 1996; 58 - 63.
Glendora Historic Preservation
Glendoran Magazine, Nov/Dec, 1996
Glendoran Magazine, Nov/Dec, 1996