Property Record
6027 W GREENFIELD AVE
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Van's Food Market |
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| Other Name: | St. Ann's Bingo Hall |
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| Reference Number: | 145101 |
| Location (Address): | 6027 W GREENFIELD AVE |
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| County: | Milwaukee |
| City: | West Allis |
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| Year Built: | 1949 |
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| Additions: | 1961 |
| Survey Date: | 2007 |
| Historic Use: | grocery store/supermarket |
| Architectural Style: | Contemporary |
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| Wall Material: | Glass |
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| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | Yes |
| Demolished Date: | 0 |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| Additional Information: | This two-story, Contemporary structure is topped with a distinctive, inverted gable copper roof and features large expanses of glass. A one-story wing, covered with stone veneer and a plaster/stucco-like material, extends to the east. Construction on this lot began in 1949 and, in 1950, it opened as Van's Food Mart, which was owned and operated by J.J. Van de Loo. In 1961, Don Grieb & Associates was hired to transform the former building into the structure that is seen today. Don Froehlich, who began his career at Van's in the 1950s as a part-time bag boy, would go on to purchase the business from Van de Loo in 1981. Unfortunately, the big-name grocers had already established themselves in West Allis and were slowly drawing Froehlich's neighborhood business and, by 1988, he was forced to sell. The next occupant of the building was St. Ann's Interdenominational Church, which occupied the former West Allis Presbyterian Church at 5933 W. National Avenue. St. Ann's hired architect Craig Ellsworth of Comprehensive Design to transform the former mercantile establishment to an assembly hall, which soon became known as St. Ann's Bingo Hall. |
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| Bibliographic References: | David Kozlowski, "Van's Village Mart Closes Its Doors," West Allis Star, 7 January 1990; Original permits for 6027 W. Greenfield Avenue, dated 1 July and 17 September 1949, contractor Voss-Hrdlicka Co.; Permit for addition (to NW corner of existing building) and alterations, dated 21 February 1961, architect, Don Grieb & Associates, est. cost $75,000; Permit for Van's Food Mart, dates 21 October 1964, Marshall Verheillig architect, est. cost $72,000; Please note that it appears that the 1961 permit was indeed for the alterations that include the addition with the inverted gable roof and it remains unclear as to what the 1964 permit refers; Permit for alterations (from store to assembly hall), 13 November 1990, est. cost $100,000. The building is slated for removal so that a Walgreen's can be constructed at that location. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |