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ebook History of Watertown, Wisconsin
Charles Fischer & Son
1895 - 2007
106 W Main
2-6 E Main
The business was started in 1895 on Main Street west
of the Rock River. It was first known as
Fellermann & Fischer, named after the original owners Eli
Fischer, who was in his early 20s, and John Fellermann. However, the store closed about 90 days after
it opened because customers were skeptical about shopping there after Fellermann was involved in a suspicious shooting accident.
Adjustments were promptly made after Fellermann left the company and Eli's father, Charles, was
brought in as a partner to add a note of stability. The name of the business was then changed to
Chas. Fischer & Son.
Fischer's was incorporated
on Nov. 20, 1901, with family members Charles, Eli, Otto, Hugo
and Julius as stockholders.
The business relocated
in 1917 to 2 E. Main St. after the building was renovated following a fire.
1895
The Charles Fischer and Sons store was started in March, 1895, on Main
Street, west of the Rock River. It was originally
located in West Main Street, in the building which houses the Savoy Theater. It was for many
years known as Watertown’s Greater West Side Store. It was first known as Fellermann
& Fischer, named after the original owners Eli Fischer, who was in his
early 20s, and John Fellermann.
07 03 After July 15, 1895, the firm of
Fellerman & Fischer, 106 West Main Street, will be dissolved and the
business conducted under the style of Charles Fischer & Son, the senior
member of which purchases Mr. Fellerman's interest. We wish the new firm every success in the
mercantile world. Wr
1902
01 10 FISCHER’S OF LAKE MILLS
The
Lake Mills Leader reports that Frank C.
Smith of that city has sold out his stock of goods to Charles Fisher & Son
of Watertown, and will retire from the business the first of February next,
just six years from the date of the opening of Smith Brothers on the 1st of
February, 1896. The business was started
by Frank and his brother Theodore, who finally sold his interest to Frank who
made a trip to the Klondike. WG
03 07 Charles Fischer & Son Company, the
new firm now occupying the old stand of Frank C. Smith, had their opening last
Friday and Saturday and were crowded with customers. The store is beautifully fitted up, the show
windows have an artistic, city style appearance, and the stock is invitingly
arranged, giving evidence of experience and care. We are assured that the company will be large
and well-stocked of such things as belong to the trade and are in demand, for
those individual and family use, in groceries and dry goods, giving special
care to keeping a high grade of ladies' dress good, silks, and other high
classed articles while not neglecting the finer grades of goods so much needed
by the public. In every way they expect to merit a fair share of public
patronage. —Lake Mills Leader / WG
Fischer & Sons Inc. opened the store at 140 E. Lake St. in 1912
after being located at the corner of Main and Lake streets since 1902. The store was run by Charles, Julius, Eli and Otto Fischer and eventually his son Harold for 71
years in Lake Mills until they closed the doors in 1973.
1906 New Masonic Temple building dedicated; Fischers moved to later, previously site had been that of Watertown Steam Laundry.
1906 FALL
OPENING OF REMODELD STORE
Despite
the inclement weather yesterday, the fall opening of Watertown's greater and
remodeled west side store, was a
decided success and throughout the day the store was visited by a steady stream
of purchasers and the force of clerks, together with the proprietors, were kept
busy all day showing and disposing of their wares.
10 06 Chas. Fischer & Son Co. never do
things by halves. When they announce a
special sale of any kind they invariably back up all
claims and the opening of their three day's sale yesterday morning was no
exception to the rule. Hundreds of
people visited the store to take advantage of the special offerings and admire
the decided change in the way of enlargement in the store that has taken place
during the past few weeks. Had the
weather been at all favorable, there is no doubt but that it would have been
impossible to have handled the crowds of anxious buyers and with favorable
weather today and Monday, there is no doubt but that the newly remodeled and
enlarged store will present a lively scene . . .
1908
Charles Fischer attends
provincial synod of the Moravian
church. 09 04 1908
1909 Fischer's 1909, 106 W Main, Charles and son, dry goods
09 17 Plate glass show window WG
06 25 Extensive improvements to be made;
Reduction sale prior to WG
09 24 Opening of enlarged and remodeled store;
1250 sq ft added to salesroom WG
12 31 BETHLEHEM IN MINIATURE: The
finest window decoration ever seen in Watertown is that of Charles Fischer
& Son Co, the West Main Street merchants.
It represents the ancient town of Bethlehem—the stable, manger, cattle,
etc., and all the scenes surrounding the birth of Christ, with angels hovering
overhead. It is a very impressive
looking scene, especially so at night, when illuminated by colored electric lights. Thousands of our people have gone to admire
it the past week. If you have not see it, do not fail to do. WG
1910
04 01 WEARBETTTER
COMBINATION SUITS
[advertisement] Award has been made to this
establishment for the exclusive sale of the time-tested Wearbettter
Combination Suits, consisting of a double-breasted jacket and two pairs of
Knickerbocker knee pants. These suits
are practically indestructible; the material will retain its new aspect and the
garments will give good service until the boy outgrows them. The Wearbetter
Young Men’s Suits and other styles of children’s suits are on sale at Charles
Fischer & Son Co., greater west side store. WG
1911
03 02 1895-1911 / 16TH ANNIVERSARY SALE /
MARCH 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 / Friday, Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Anniversaries are a
time when it is customary and when it is right and wise for individuals or
corporations to look back over their history and to look ahead into their
future, thereby gaining a comprehensive view of mistakes and successes. The sixteen years time
during which this store has grown from one floor containing 2500 square feet of
selling space to the present three floors containing 7500 square feet has been
filled with experiences of a fruitful kind.
If any one thing has
had more to do with the building up of this business than any other one thing,
it is that we sell Merchandise of Quality instead of merchandise without
quality.
The idea of courteous
service, of bargains without bluster or bluff, the desire to be known above all
things as reliable, are the things that stand out strong in the minds of the
people of Watertown and vicinity. When
we fail to give our customers complete satisfaction, then this store will fail
to longer be a success—but until then we'll continue to strive from day to day
to give each individual customer that perfect satisfaction that is each
customer's proper due.
Until then—we'll
continue to grow—as we have done in the past.
Charles Fischer &
Sons Co., Watertown’s Greater West Side
Store WG
11 16 FINE
ELECTRIC SIGN
Charles Fischer & Son Co. have placed an elegant
electric sign fronting their place of business on [106] West Main Street. It is one of the finest in the city and is an
indication of the very enterprising spirit of that popular firm. WG
1912
03 07 FISCHER'S LAKE MILLS
NEW DOUBLE STORE
The formal opening of
C. Fischer & Son Co.’s new store last Thursday evening was an occasion when
people turned out to hear and see something which they could not buy. Preparations for the opening had been going
on for several days and most nights to get all in readiness for the public, who
had been cordially invited to attend the opening, hear the music, get a
souvenir, and a desire to call the next day or soon and have an opportunity to
buy goods.
It is estimated that at
least five hundred people visited the store that evening, saw the fine
arrangements of the goods in the various departments, observed the methods of
illumination for day and evening, and heard the delightful music furnished by
the Wilson orchestra.
The store was built by
Mr. C. F. Greenwood to order for the company and is 40 feet wide and 100 feet
long. This affords room for four
different counters and leaves two good aisles for customers. There are two front entrances and two very
large show windows which are nicely decorated.
The ceiling is made of steel and is painted a light color. The front of the store presents a fine
appearance with its pressed brick work and the large plate glass windows. A
very fine basement under the entire store adds greatly to its capacity.
This new double store
will add greatly to Lake Mills as a trading point and
it ought to keep many dollars at home and attract many dollars from neighboring
places and farms.
The builder and the proprietors
of the new store are entitled to great praise for their efforts to keep Lake
Mills on the map as a central trading point. — [Lake Mills Leader] / WG
12 20 FISCHER’S HOLIDAY
STOCKS
Store aimed to make this Christmas display the best
in the history of the store . . . Gifts that will
make the Christmas Spirit linger and remind one of the giver.
1913
01 30 Death of Charles Fischer,
1840-1913
One
of Watertown's Most Esteemed and Progressive Business Men
Wednesday
morning our people were somewhat startled when the announcement was made of Charles
Fischer's death, who passed away Tuesday evening, January 28, 1913, at his
home, 1025 Main Street. Mr. Fischer had
been confined to his home since the first of January, but his illness was not
considered serious until about one week before he died, when his suffering
became quite intense, from which he could get no relief till death claimed
him.
Mr.
Fischer was born on December 6, 1840, in Germany, and when quite a young boy
came to America and engaged in farming in the town of Farmington, at which he
was engaged until 1895, when he entered the general merchandise business in
West Main Street, under the firm name of Chas. Fischer & Sons Co., of which
he was president. While a resident of
Farmington he was married to Augusta Yaeck, four
children being born to them, three of whom and his wife survive him, his
children being Otto A. Fischer of Lake Mills, Eli Fischer
and George Fischer of this city. One
brother, Julius Fischer of Kiel, Wis., and two sisters, Mrs. Amanda Ohm of
Ebenezer, and Mrs. G. Koch of Milwaukee, also survive him.
In
the death of Mr. Fischer Watertown loses one of her most enterprising and most
popular businessmen. He possessed a
genial, whole-souled disposition and his happy greetings always made his
friends feel the better for his meeting them.
He had a joyful, happy way of meeting his fellow man and usually had a
pleasant and kind word to say to everybody and in his business
transactions. He was the soul of honor
and scrupulously honest in all his dealings.
His death is universally regretted in Watertown.
The
funeral arrangements have been made for Friday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock. Services will be held in the Moravian Church
at 2 o'clock. Friends wishing to view
the remains may do so on Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. The casket will not be opened at the
church. WG
1914
02 26 FISCHER’S 19TH
ANNIVERSARY SALE
Begins Wednesday
morning, March 4, and continues until Tuesday evening, March 10. Six days of big value giving. Never would we seem unmindful of the fact
that our merchandising success is to be attributed in large measure to the
constant support of our patrons – and at this time we would renew our assurance
that in the future, as in the past, the greatest effort of our organization
shall be directed toward this end: “TO PLEASE THE CUSTOMER.”
And that is the kind of
policy we shall stick to as long as this is a store. We must deserve your
patronage and we appreciate it. The
volume of sales during the past year was the greatest in the history of the
store – we realize that the prosperity of the people has a great deal to do
with the business increase – and, of course, this store’s increasing popularity
has had something to do with it also.
These two elements together are going to make the Fischer store grow in
1914 as it has never grown before. WG
10 24 FARE-REFUNDING SALE, full page Weltburger
ad
1915
106
WEST MAIN LOCATION
Fischer’s
1915, Ad, 106 W Main
c.1915
WEST
MAIN STREET LOCATION
Watertown City Directory, 1899-1900
-- -- DISTANT VIEW OF W. MAIN LOCATION
1917
09 14 EAST MAIN, MOVE TO (2-6 East Main)
In 1917 Fischer's
relocated to 2 E. Main St. after the Masonic Temple building was renovated
following a fire.
1934 EAST MAIN
Fischer's
1934, 2-6 E Main
1936 EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS MADE TO STORE
Recently completed fine improvements have been made
at the Charles Fischer and Sons Dry Goods store on Main Street, exterior as
well as interior. It’s exterior has a
wonderfully fine citified front which cannot but invite people to the inside
thereof, which is even more gratifying that the outside, which is beautifully
arranged with a fine stock of clothing for both men and women, and all lines of
dry goods and household goods, the equal of any on sale in larger cities which
cannot fail to attract a large line of customers to the store to be waited on
by the many experienced and affable clerks therein. The Fischer store with its fine three new
fronts and newly remodeled interior together with a complete line of merchandise
certainly deserves the patronage of residents of Watertown and surrounding
county. “Boost Fischers, who are boosting for Watertown.”
04 03 MINNIE BICKETT CHASES “SQUIRRELS” INSIDE FISCHERS
Minnie is just a dog but she has
been providing a lot of fun and laughs in a local department store. Minnie, in case you don't know, is the pet of
the L. M. Bickett family and devotes much of
her time to chasing the squirrels that live in the vicinity of Clyman
Street.
Minnie delights in running along the street and
[recently] wandered into the store of Charles Fischer & Sons where her
attention was attracted to the moving coin cars that carry sales slips and
payments from clerks in various parts of the store to the office.
Evidently Minnie thinks anything that moves is a
squirrel for she set up a series of barks and ran up and down, chasing after
the moving object overhead. Since then she has frequently returned to the store, barking and
chasing the little boxes as they shuttle back and forth from office
to counters.
Now whenever the phone in the Bickett home rings and
somebody informs the family that "Minnie is down here again," they
know just what it means.
1943 “PRICES TO KEEP PACE WITH YOUR WAR
BOND-BUYING BUDGET”
Christmas shopping ad
1952
03 13 FISCHERS COMPLETE REMODELING PROGRAM
Store Presents New
Appearance on First Floor
Chas. Fischer and Sons Co. yesterday completed work on a vast remodeling
program at its Main Street store which has become the “At the Bridge” landmark
in Watertown.
The store is observing its 57th anniversary this month and the work of
remodeling the entire main floor has been underway since Jan. 7. The Jaeger Manufacturing Co. of this city had
the general contract for the work.
The entire main floor has been rearranged, complete
new fixtures and display cases have been built and installed, all according to
individual specifications and the result is a store that offers the latest in
merchandising displays, with wide aisles and so attractively and suitably
arranged that it gives the store a completely new look.
New indirect lighting has also been provided and the store has been
newly redecorated, all of this adding to its new
beauty. There is an inviting air about
the remodeled store and shoppers will find it arranged for greater convenience
and comfort.
DEPARTMENTS EXPANDED
A new separate men’s department has been installed on the main floor and
the infants’ wear department has been moved from the second floor to the main
floor. The piece goods department has
been greatly expanded and provided with a new full view display system. A new linen department is another feature and
the ladies accessories department has been greatly
enlarged.
The radio and television department has also been given new quarters on
the main floor.
In addition to the new display cases, there are various wall display
areas which lend distinction to articles exhibited. Goods is now in full view of shoppers.
The new fixtures and other wood parts are made of limed oak, with a
medium blond shade. It makes a most
attractive setting.
A new overhead wire cash system has been installed and will eventually
be changed to a pneumatic tube system for greater speed and convenience.
BEGAN IN 1895
The Fischer store, which is headed by Eli E. Fischer, for many years its
president, takes pride in this latest step forward in its 57
year history as a shopping center in Watertown.
The store, which is home owned, home managed and home staffed, has, in
its more than half century of service to the community, become a shopping
center of people from far and near.
The original store was opened in March of 1895 and was
located in West Main Street, in the building which,
is now the Savoy theatre.
The present store, which is located in the
Masonic Temple building, occupies three floors and has 17,250 square feet of
floor space.
ENJOYED STEADY GROWTH
Eli E. Fischer
Under the leadership of its president, Eli E. Fischer, it has grown
steadily and has been a vigorous factor in the progress of this community. Over the years it has kept pace with progress
and has undergone many changes and improvements. Under Mr. Fischer’s leadership it has never
been content to stand still, but has introduced many
innovations and has undergone numerous alterations and remodelings and has
expanded on various occasions. The
latest change is one of the most complete and most unique in its long history,
another step forward in the field of merchandising.
Not many business places which were in operation in Watertown before the
turn of this century are still in the hands of the same family and people, but
the Chas. Fischer and Sons Co. is one of these exceptions. In many instances it has enjoyed the loyal
patronage of three and four generations of Watertown families and families
outside the city.
Eli E. Fischer is still active in the business and is at the store
daily, greeting customers and waiting on the public.
INCORPORATED IN 1902
The business was incorporated on Jan. 3. 1902 with the late Charles
Fischer as its president, Julius Fischer as vice president, Eli E. Fischer as
secretary and Otto Fischer as the other incorporator.
In 1902 a branch of the store was opened in Lake Mills
and this is still in operation under the direction of Otto Fischer.
Eli E. Fischer, one of the original officers, has been president for
many years. His brother, George M. Fischer, is secretary; Otto Fischer, Lake
Mills, is vice' president; and Karl Fischer is treasurer. Joseph Donahue, for many years a member of
the store staff, is director.
The management invites the public to drop in at the store during
tomorrow and Saturday and see the changes that have been carried out during the
past two months.
1956
1961
04 18 66th
ANNIVERSARY
One of
Watertown’s most widely known business establishments, Fischer and Sons, the store
“at the bridge,” is celebrating its 66th anniversary and will observe the event
with a special storewide sale which begins tomorrow. The store, now the oldest of its kind in the
city and one of the best known business establishments
in this part of the state, will hold a 10 day storewide sale in connection with
the anniversary, officials of the store announced today. WDT
1964
04 19 69th
ANNIVERSARY
Chas.
Fischer and Sons Co. department store, “At the Bridge in Watertown,” is
approaching its 70th birthday — with one more year to go. The company will observe its 69th anniversary
with a storewide sale this weekend. The
sale will begin Thursday, and continue through Friday
and Saturday. The business, now the
oldest of its kind in the city, is one of the best known
business establishments in this part of the state. WDT
11 25 Plans to dispose of a number of items which are still housed in the old city hall building are expected to be
discussed and acted on at Tuesday night’s meeting of the common council, Mayor
Robert P. White said today. He said the
council must set a date for auctioning off a number of
tables, desks, a refrigerator and other articles for which no use has been
found in the new municipal building.
There isn’t too much remaining to be sold, the mayor said, but some
people may be interested in buying what there is. The auction is planned to clear the building
and prepare for turning over possession to the Fischer and Sons Co. department
store which recently bid $22,500 for the property. WDT
1965
03 31 JOSEPH DONAHUE, 50TH ANNIVERSARY
One of Watertown’s
most widely known residents today observed his 50th anniversary with Charles
Fischer and Son, “at the bridge” in Watertown.
The individual is Joseph Donahue who began working for the store in 1915
when he was 14 years of age. WDT
04 03 PURCHASED OLD CITY HALL / TO BE CLEARED
FOR PARKING LOT
The Charles Fischer
and Son Co. which purchased Watertown’s old city hall last year, is expected to
assume possession shortly, now that legal matters involving the transfer of the
property have been completed. That information
was given common council members by Mayor Robert P. White at the council's
committee meeting last night. The mayor
said the deed has been signed and that City Attorney David J. Fries had worked
on the legal aspects of the sale. The
mayor said that the new owners expect to begin demolishing the building,
constructed in 1861- 62, this spring to clear the site for a parking area for
the store's customers. WDT
04 29 70th ANNIVERSARY
Chas. Fischer and
Sons Co. department store, located “at the bridge in Watertown,” will
observe its 70th anniversary this weekend, with a sale that begins tomorrow and
continues Friday and Saturday. Watertown’s oldest and completely home owned and
home operated department store over the years has become one of the best known business establishments in this section of
Wisconsin. For the 70th anniversary, the store management has gone “all out” to
assemble the largest array of first class merchandise
at lowest prices in its long history. WDT
12 10 NEGOTIATING PURCHASE OF
MASONIC TEMPLE
Fischer’s and Sons
Department Store, located in the Masonic Temple at No. 2 Main Street, is negotiating for
the purchase of the Masonic Temple and the transaction is expected to be
finalized shortly, as soon as approval is received from the Grand Lodge of the
Masons. Karl Fischer confirmed the
report this morning. The Fischer Store
has been occupying the major portion of the Masonic Temple for many years. It is the oldest locally owned department
store in the city, dating back to 1895.
Before moving to the Masonic Temple the
business was located on the city’s west side.
WDT
1966
01 06 The announcement in
the Daily Times on Dec. 9 that the
Fischer and Sons Co. department store was purchasing the Masonic Temple has now been confirmed and
the deal has been finalized. The Masonic
Temple was sold by the trustees of the Masonic Lodge in Watertown and the
awaited confirmation and approval by the Grand Lodge has been obtained. Under terms of the sale the Masons will have
the privilege to continue occupying their quarters on the third floor of the
building for two years. Meanwhile, the
Masons are due to name a special committee empowered to seek or locate a new
Masonic headquarters in the city. WDT
09 26 Construction of a new Masonic Temple,
plans for which were announced months ago, is due to get underway shortly. It will be constructed on a site in Madison
Street, just east of Otto’s Inn. The
Masons purchased the site at the time the Daily
Times announced the plans for the new building. It was disclosed today that a building permit
has been issued for the new temple. The
estimated cost of construction, as listed in the permit, is $77,790. Furnishings and equipment will be extra. Sale of the present Masonic Temple to the
Chas. Fischer and Sons Co. department store, which has for many years occupied
the major portion of the building, was announced earlier.
1967
04 27 WOLF AND MEYER PROPERTIES / TO BE
CLEARED FOR PARKING LOT
A project which was
launched during the administration of former Mayor Robert P. White, namely a
proposal calling for the extension of the North First Street parking lot, by
acquiring of the Wolf and Meyer properties, is due to be brought up for
discussion at Monday night’s common council committee meeting. Karl Fischer of Chas. Fischer and Sons Co.
department store, purchasers of the old city hall which the company offered to
turn over to the city with the provision that the city acquire the Wolf and
Meyer properties in order to carry out the overall
plans for expanding the present parking facilities in North First Street, will
be present at Monday night’s meeting to discuss the issue with the
aldermen. WDT
06 22 MEYER AND WOLF PROPERTIES ACQUIRED
The Meyer and Wolf
properties in North First Street, to be used as part of the North First Street
parking lot expansion, were acquired this forenoon by the city when the
purchases, recently authorized by the common council, were finalized. The price for the Meyer property was $26,000
and for the Wolf property $27,500. Both
were assessed at a higher figure. The
old city hall property will be turned over to the city at a
later date, as soon as legal preliminaries are completed, the mayor said
today. The property is being given to
the city by the present owner, the Chas. Fischer and Sons Co., without charge.
By the mid-1960x, the
citizens of Watertown and its environs had become rather used to hearing or
reading stories of another step in Fischer’s expansion efforts. So it was no
surprise that an announcement was made in July 1967 that the merchant firm had
acquired yet more property, that being the two stores to the immediate east of
their existing structure. The properties
were purchased from the Bank of Watertown, which had earlier planned to expand
into those facilities.
07 10 BOUGHT BUILDINGS OWNED BY BANK OF WATERTOWN
The Bank of Watertown, which is to vacate its
present building at Main and North First Streets before the end of the year and
move into its new building in North Second Street, between Madison and Jones
Streets, sold the two Main Street buildings it acquired some years ago as part
of a plan which then called for expanding its present banking facilities, it
was revealed today. The two buildings,
formerly occupied by the New York Market and the Mother Nature's Cupboard, a
health food establishment, has been sold to the Chas. Fischer and Sons Co.
which will utilize the two properties for expanding and remodeling its
store. The Fischer store has for many
years occupied the major area of the Masonic Temple which it purchased last
year from the Masons who will vacate their lodge quarters before the end of the
year and move to a new Masonic Temple in Madison Street.
08 09 FIRST STREET PARKING FEASIBILITY SURVEY
The
architectural-engineering firm of Durrant-Deininger-Dommer-Kramer- Gordon of
Watertown is launching a North First Street parking feasibility survey to help
the common council decide what will be the best means of expanding the present
parking lot facilities in that area. At
its Aug. 1 meeting the council authorized such a study and will await the
report before the next step in expanding the present facilities is taken. The city earlier this year acquired two of
the North First Street properties which adjoin the present parking lot, namely
the Wolf Estates site and the Meyer Ambulance Service property. In addition, the city also accepted, without
charge, the old city hall which was presented to the city by the Chas. Fischer
and Son Co.
08 17 DEDICATION PLANNED
The new
Masonic Temple located on Madison Street will be dedicated on Nov. 11. Work on the new building is nearing
completion, with some interior work, including painting and decorating, still
to be finished. The new structure
replaces the old Masonic Temple in Main Street which Watertown Lodge 49,
A.&F.M. and other Masonic groups have occupied for many years. The old building has been sold to the Chas.
Fischer & Son Co. department store which has occupied the major portion of
the building “at the bridge” for a great many years.
12 30 EXPANSION / TWO BUILDINGS RAZED
Work is now underway on the expansion program for
Charles Fischer and Son, 2 Main Street.
The two buildings which the Fischer firm acquired to the east will be
razed to make way for a one story addition to its
building. A new front to be placed on
the Fischer store building will tie in with the front on the addition.
01 12 DONATED
FACILITIES FOR A COFFEE HOUSE
Through the generosity and understanding
of both Karl Fischer and the Fischer and Sons Department Store board of
directors, the coffee house in Watertown has finally become a reality. In an effort to help
the community, Fischer’s has donated the facilities for a coffee house, rent
free, to the youth of Watertown, under the direction of the coffee house adult
board. These facilities include the
third floor of the Fischer Department Store building. This was previously occupied by the Masonic
Lodge. The teens of Watertown sincerely thank
Mr. Fischer and the board of directors of the store. The youth of Watertown, by their outstanding
response in readying the coffee house for residence, have shown a profound
pride and responsible effort to develop this project into an asset to the
entire community. The Sword and Arrow
Club, an organization comprised of both St. Henry’s and St. Bernard’s Chi Rho
students, has offered to sponsor a dance with all proceeds going to the coffee
house. The dance will be held Jan. 27 at
St. Bernard’s gym.
02 10 JOSEPH DONAHUE RETIREMENT
Joseph
Donahue, 612 Park Street, who would have rounded out 53 years of service on
April 1 with Charles Fischer and Sons, has retired. For a period of many years, “Joe,” as he is
known to his many friends, was in charge of the men’s clothing and home
furnishings departments, located in the basement area of the Fischer store “at
the bridge” in Watertown. Joe began his
long service with the company on April 1, 1915, as a boy of 14 years, when the
store was located in the former Savoy Theater
building, which has been taken over by the Wisconsin National Bank, with the
lower area utilized as a drive-in banking facility.
09 06 UTILIZING SPACE FOR FUTURE ELEVATOR
The common council which on Aug. 20 defeated plans for the construction
of a parking ramp in North First Street is still plagued by the issue and last
night decided “to start all over again” by naming the council’s safety
committee to begin a study and make a survey relative to a possible plan
calling for street level parking only on the site of the former city hall, the
Meyer property and the Wolf Estate property which the city acquired last year
to expand the present parking facilities in the area. The question came up last night when Alderman
Phil Gerloff inquired as to the probability of the Fischer and Son department
store utilizing the space allotted to it for a future elevator, which is part
of the agreement made with the city when the company turned over to the city
the old city hall, with the provision that if and when it was torn down the
city was to utilize the site for parking.
01 02 COFFEE HOUSE FUND RAISER
Civic Directory profit from sales to improve quarters
on third floor of Fischer’s.
02 04 OUTSTANDING BOY SCOUT SUPPLY DISTRIBUTOR
03 11 REMODELING AND EXPANSION COMPLETED
Charles
Fischer & Son, located “at the bridge” in Watertown, is marking the
completion of an extensive remodeling and expansion program with a grand
opening which gets underway at 9 o’clock Friday morning, and continues through
next week. A few years ago Fischer’s acquired the Masonic Temple Building which it
had occupied on a rental basis for many years, and later also purchased two
buildings immediately to the east, thus enabling the firm to greatly enlarge
the store. More than 4,000 square feet
of floor space have been added.
-- -- PROJECT COMPLETED, BY MAAS BROS.
Fischer’s largest expansion ever got under way soon after the 1967
acquisitions. The grand day for the
“new” Fischer’s opening was Friday, March 14, 1969. The different types of construction between
the old and added buildings called for an overall new front. Inside 4,000 square feet of floor space had
been added. The entire interior was
redone. The old and exposed wire cash
carrier system was replaced with a concealed pneumatic tube operation which fed
to the central cash office. Every
existing department was expanded and
some were moved. Many lines of
merchandise were added, including one new department featuring a full range of
major appliances. Fischer’s was facing
the challenges of the times with an aggressive marketing effort that served
them well.
03 14 RIBBON
CUTTING
03 17 WILLIE DAVIS FEATURED GUEST AT GRAND
OPENING
Scroll through set
of 12 in portfolio
03 25 GRAND OPENING GRAND PRIZE WINNERS
Nelson
Fischer, Mrs. David Oestreich won fur boa; Mrs. Arthur Koch, ladies
wardrobe; Gerhard Kohlhoff, men’s wardrobe
1970
10 16 OUTSTANDING BOY
SCOUT SUPPLY DISTRIBUTOR
1975
NORTH SIDE (BACK) ENTRANCE
1987
1992
06 27 MAJOR FACELIFT PLANNED
Fischer’s
Department Store is
planning a major facelift for its clothing, interior design
and tailoring departments. The changes
are designed to improve the appearance of the store, make room for more retail displays and improve the overall shopping experience for
customers. “We’ll be giving customers a
better flow area,” said Todd Fischer.
“It will get them through the store easier and we’ll have better
displays.” Some of the biggest
improvements will be found on the second floor, where the interior design and
tailoring departments are located. The
interior design area will be opened up so that
customers will have an easier time browsing for design materials such as
wallpaper, vinyl-floor coverings and draperies. WDT
1993
Fischer's
1975, 2-6 E Main, WHS_005_274
2005
07 03 DOWNSIZING AND SALE OF HISTORICAL BUILDING
Over the past 110
years Fischer’s Department Store has surpassed the Great Depression and lasted
through World War II all while adjusting to the trends of the time. Today, the Fischer family is making another
adjustment and is selling the historical building, downsizing and will now rent
a smaller portion of the building from the new owner. “We love what we do in retail
and we love Watertown,” Lynn Fischer-Mallach said. “That’s why we want to continue to offer our
services to the community.” Fischer’s has
been family-owned and family-run since it was formed in 1895 and has been in
business in the present building since 1917.
Lynn said the business has changed over the past few years and now 50
percent of sales are made through their Web site on the Internet and 10 percent
of sales are made on walk-ins. WDT
08 03 STILL PROVIDING GIFT BOXES
Fischer’s retail
store is still providing gift boxes for customers, but now most of its boxes
are being shipped UPS rather than carried under the arm. The 110-year-old family business is
downsizing its space while heading in a new direction via the Internet. Being able to adapt to current trends has
kept the Fischer family in business through its fifth generation. Marketing trends ebb and flow, but the family
has managed to keep afloat by trying numerous marketing techniques over the
years. WDT
2007
04 12 GOING
OUT OF BUSINESS
The last family-run department store in the
state will close its doors later this year after serving the Watertown
community for over a century. WDTimes story [WHS_005_547]
The
last family-run department store in the state will close its doors later this
year after serving the Watertown community for over a century. According to Todd Fischer, vice president and
general manager of Fischer’s Department Store in Watertown, the company is
expected to close for good sometime in June of this year. The fifth generation
family-owned business has been open for 112 years. Although the company survived through the
Great Depression and both world wars, Fischer said the store is closing because
management could not come up with a profitable business plan over the past
couple years.
July 4, 2007
2008
01 26 TODD
FISCHER, M&I BANK
Todd Fischer, a business banker with M&
I Bank in Watertown, has been promoted to the title of
officer. Fischer earned a bachelor’s
degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is a graduate of the
Wisconsin Banker Association Introduction to Commercial Lending School. He founded the Watertown Central Business
Association in 1992 and served as the organization’s inaugural president until
1997. He was the vice president and
general manager of the former Fischer’s Department Store in Watertown for over
19 years.
2012
12 22 2 RIVERS BICYCLE AND OUTDOOR to open / former Fischer’s building
The heart of downtown Watertown will soon see the addition of a
cutting-edge cycling business that is already a popular entity in Fort Atkinson
— 2 Rivers Bicycle and Outdoor. To be
located at 2 E. Main St. in the former Fischer’s Department Store building, the
business is on target to open in early March according to co-owners John Raub
and Scott Thomas. The business is a
full-service independent Trek Bicycle dealer that services all makes and models
of bicycles. The facility is expected to
encompass approximately 3,800 square feet and most of the space will be
dedicated to bicycle retail.
2021
12 04 BLUE
BUTTERFLY OPENED
Cross
References:
Fischer's
1956, 2-6 E Main, 1950s-70s city assessor form, image included, WHS_006_090
Fischer's
1971, 2 E Main
1951: Karl & Evelyn Fischer home, 817 Cole
St.
History of Watertown,
Wisconsin