Ehlers Corner

This building, at the NE corner of N. Montana Ave. and Sierra Rd. E, is no longer standing. In the 1950s-60s, it was the Ehlers' Corner Food Market, operated by Ray Ehlers (1893-1970). It then became Martin's IGA. This photo, showing portions of the old Ehlers' sign, is from the Charleen Spalding Collection. She took it shortly after the Martin's IGA sign came down, as the building was being converted into a restaurant. Thanks, Charleen!



Ehlers' First Market was at Broadwater

It's unclear what building this market was in. Newpaper ads for Elhers Broadwater market begin and end in 1933. Ads for a night club called the Pepperbox (later the Corner Bar), at that intersection, first appear in 1934. Records indicate that Ehlers bought the lot that the Pepperbox occupied in 1938. It's a bit of a puzzle. Could Ehlers' market have been what became the Corner Bar? Perhaps it was the original Broadwater Grocery, which was on the southeast corner of Highway 12 and Williams.

 



 

Joined the IGA Franchise in 1959

 

A 2021 Google Maps View of the Site