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Bentzin Grocery
Sharp
Corner Grocery
1901
01 30 SOLD TO
JAEDECKE AND GRAMS
Louis Mueller, proprietor of the “Sharp Corner” grocery, has disposed of his business to Otto Jaedecke and Theodore Grams, possession having been given on Monday.
The new proprietors are well-known
young men and experienced in the grocery line, Mr. Jaedecke having been in the
employ of Mr. Mueller for a number of years, and Mr. Grams having formerly been
a salesman with W. A. Beurhaus.
1909
06 04 SCHACK/
LIEDTKE: NEW GROCERY FIRM
The grocery firm of Mueller & Liedtke at the sharp corner on Main Street will be dissolved July 1, Mr. Liedtke retiring to associate himself in the grocery business with William Schack, they having purchased the grocery stock of Becker & Peters, North Water Street, where they will continue the business already established by the firm from which they made the purchase.
Theophil Liedtke has severed an apprenticeship in the grocery trade in this city and at Madison, and for the past two years has been associated in business with Edward Mueller and is thoroughly conversant with the business.
Mr. Schack was born and reared in this city and for a number of years followed teaching as a profession and has an extensive acquaintance in the city. Both Mr. Liedtke and Mr. Schack are young men of excellent reputation, fine business ability and popular, and will no doubt retain the large patronage of the retiring firm, but add largely thereto, and tnose who may favor them with their trade, will find them reliable, accommodating and pleasant to deal with.
1915
1915, Sharp Corner Grocer, 905 E Main
1917
1917, 905 E Main, "Water Boarding" WHS_NT101_Bentzins_1917
c.1930
c.1938
1952
03 25 NURSERY
RHYME IS THEME OF STORE SETTING
Murals, both clever and attractive, are catching the eye of the shopper in Bentzin’s grocery store at the “Sharp Corner” these days. In fact, they are so appealing that buying the week's supply of. groceries is taking the shopper much longer than usual. And it is no wonder! They are outstanding.
“This Lil Pig Went To Market,” popular, nursery rhyme, is the theme of the murals which were painted by June Johannsen, talented high school artist.
A sophomore student, June spent many hours painting the five scenes which adorn the upper walls of the store. Each scene tells the story of the rhyme and it is hard to pick out which one is the best.
The first scene shown as one enters the store depicts the mother pig on her way to market, carrying her market basket.
The second scene shows the little piggy who stayed home and had her groceries delivered. In this particular scene a bed of tulips is shown and the flowers look so real that it almost seems as if one could reach up and pick a bouquet. Another “cute” scene which adds to the painting is the sight of two birds pulling on a big worm while two baby worms stand by crying as if their hearts would break.
“This Lil Piggy Had Roast Beef,” the third mural, has the mother pig putting a good-sized piece of meat in her overflowing grocery cart. The highlight of this scene is the picture of A. E. (Mike) Bentzin, the genial proprietor of Bentzins, presiding at the meat counter. The artist also illustrated frozen foods by painting a scene from the North pole complete with igloo.
Next on the scene is the mural, “This Lil Piggy Had None.” In this illustration, the artist has pappa pig standing next to a nearly empty Frigidaire, while mamma pig is seated at a table making out a grocery list. Hovering over her head the artist has painted the many grocery items she is thinking about and is including on her list. The baby pig is shown emptying their meager savings out of the cookie jar.
The final painting, “This Little Pig Cried ‘Whee, Whee’ All the Way. Home” illustrates the three pigs, mamma, papa and baby, enroute to their home, all loaded down with their purchases.
In each scene a little yellow bird wearing a weather vane on her head appears to picture the season of spring.
The grocery and food products shown in each mural are reproduced to perfection by the young artist. To paint these products June took the various brands to her home and copied them exactly to size, lettering, coloring, etc.
The painting of Mr. Bentzin was copied from a proof of a recent picture he had taken by a local photographer.
All in all, the light hearted sparkling sketches are excelling and the teenage deserves a huge bouquet for her work in creating them.
Another display at the store deserving of a mention here is the huge Easter bunny pulling a chariot filled with eggs. Mr. and Mrs. Harry Moore collaborated on the construction of the mechanically operated display which is creating quite a stir in the Easter bunny-believing set. Eggs in the chariot are painted as caricatures of the employees at the store. Credit for this fine work of art goes to Mrs. Moore.
1952, Murals painted by June Johannsen, WHS_013_708
Image Portfolio, mural
photos (5)
1959
1963
05 02 REPLACEMENT
OF, WITH SERVICE STATION
Bentzin Supermarket Site Development
Building project approved for new $30,000 service station to be erected at 905 Main Street, site of the Bentzin Supermarket. The permit for the service station was granted to Consolidated Stations, Inc., of Oshkosh. The concern recently acquired the Bentzin property and also the adjoining property to the east and south.
1964
2015
2020
-- -- SHARP CORNER PARK
History of Watertown, Wisconsin