107 W MAIN ST

107 W MAIN ST

Dane

Belleville

1917

1979,2026

large retail building

Commercial Vernacular

Brick

No

2026: Commercial vernacular building is one story in height, rectangular in plan, and topped by a low pitch gabled roof concealed behind a curvilinear parapet with stone coping and projecting piers. The exteriors walls are faced in red brick. A cast stone panel reading “1917 GARAGE” is centered on the façade. The façade contains a recessed entrance flanked by modern storefront windows. The west elevation features regularly spaced fixed windows set within segmental-arched openings. The building at was constructed in 1917 by Julien H. Gerard, who purchased the lot from the Belleville State Bank on Main Street to erect a one-story, 50-by-100-foot garage to accommodate his growing business. The Belleville Auto Company opened the following year and operated as a service garage and Buick and Chevrolet dealership. In 1940, ownership transferred to Gerard’s son-in-law, Eddie Gillette, who continued operating the business for several decades. During World War II, when automobile production was halted, the garage remained in operation, focusing on vehicle repair and maintenance. The dealership continued to serve the Belleville community until its closure in 1989, representing over seventy years of continuous automobile-related commerce. The building was subsequently sold to Randy Dreger, who operated it as Belleville Classic Auto Body, a classic car body shop. The building has since been rehabilitated and now operates as Hop Garden Brewing and Tap Room.

“Buys Building Lot,” Belleville Recorder, September 28, 1917, 1. “Eddie Gillette Buys Belleville Auto Co.,” Belleville Recorder, June 6, 1940, 1. “Announcement From Belleville Auto Co.,” Belleville Recorder, December 14, 1989, 6.

Not Listed