I awoke on New Year’s Day to the shocking news that our neighborhood grocery store, Haddad’s Supermarket, burned down overnight. The building is a total loss. None of the news reports that I’ve read so far say what caused the fire. I would imagine that’s yet to be determined by fire investigators. You can read all about the fire and see the devastating pictures at both pjstar.com and week.com.
I was very glad to see this in WEEK’s report:
[Store owner Mark] Wrhel says the building is insured and he will rebuild.
Mr. Wrhel lives in my neighborhood. My condolences to him and all the employees of Haddad’s on the loss of the store. I’m glad to hear it will be rebuilt and look forward to going there again.
UPDATE: Here’s a short and shaky video of the fire that was posted to YouTube:
UPDATE 2: 1470 WMBD is now reporting that “[West Peoria Fire Chief Bob] Stecher says the State Fire Marshall will be here Monday to sift through the remains to determine a cause of the fire.” Also, another amateur video — this one is longer and steadier — has been uploaded to YouTube. I recommend watching it with the sound turned off:
UPDATE 3: More stories are coming out. 1470 WMBD reports that Haddad’s home delivery is going to continue even while there is no building. “‘We’re just going to shop it out of another store,’ explains Wrhel.” The fire investigator examined the site Monday and, according to the Journal Star, ruled out arson. The cause of the fire is still undetermined, however. And loyalty to the store is very strong, by all accounts — here’s WEEK’s report. Here’s a picture I took of the store on New Year’s Day close to sunset:
Oh crap. My husband just drove through West Peoria because we could smell smoke and heard tons of firetrucks. Haddads is gone! Burned down! 🙁
Horrible, horrible news.
All West Peorians are grieving. Thos of us who had been gathered for New Year’s Eve a few blocks away went to the corner of Rohmann and Sterling–such a devastating site–cars and pedestrians everywhere. When we heard an explosion and another burst of flames, we left. The fire is still going at 1:20 as I was coming home.
I was reminded of the Bradley Hall fire many years ago.
http://www.pjstar.com/news/x2135340638/Fire-destroys-Haddads-in-West-Peoria
Sad news regarding Haddad’s. They are a cornerstone of West Peoria, a rare family-owned neighborhood grocer. Hopefully they are properly insured and are able to rebuild and reopen soon.
Horrid news. I was just there yesterday.
Editor’s note: The above comments were originally left on the “Happy New Year” post, but I moved them here for obvious reasons. Thanks to my readers who alerted me to this terrible news.
Thanks, C.J., for the great news that Haddad’s will rebuild. That takes away some of the sadness that I am feeling about last night’s fire.
On the video that someone in our group taped, I believe I heard someone say, “Go in or go home.” There was a point at which one of the Peoria firefighters on the tall ladder was extremely close to the flames. I am so thankful that none of the firefighters were injured. This section of West Peoria has had its tragedies. Remember in the 1950s, there was an explosion at another grocery store on the corner of Rohmann and Sterling (by today’s bank) and three people lost their lives.
I’m still so horribly sad I can barely function.
Mark Wrhel:
If there is anything I can do as far as raising funds to help care for your employees, let me know. As an entertainer, I can think of all kinds of benefits we could do for you and your employees.
I want you back open soon!
Seriously… Contact me. (CJ can tell you how.)
My husband and I had been home for most of the holiday season and as we stopped by my folks one last time before we got on the road New Years Day, we saw the fire trucks. It still makes me want to cry. I remember when the post office closed and Haddads moved into this building. I said to my mother, they have to rebuild we have lost so much Jumers, Lums, even Pizza Hut. How did we lose the pizza hut. I am so hopeful that they will be up and running for the summer!
Just did my shopping at Schnuck’s and felt depressed. Amazing that a huge store like Schnuck’s doesn’t stock some of the excellent items I’m used to getting at Haddad’s: large boxes of kosher salt (who wants a small box?), Herb Ox sodium free bouillon packets, FRESH looking packaged roasts, and bags of large onions. The new HyVee – don’t even get me started. I bought potato salad there and the potatoes weren’t even done. I also feel like I’m going in circles there.
Of course, these stores have many additional items that Haddad’s doesn’t carry. Fingerling potatoes anyone? 50 varieties of pasta sauce? A world tour of cheeses? Imported chocolate? But the beauty of Haddad’s is that they usually have just what you want or need. I noticed when I shopped there last Thursday they had fresh lima beans and other varieties in their produce section – I’m sorry I didn’t pick some up. They have goat cheese, Pepperidge Farm crackers and bread, hummus and many varieties of chips and breads to accompany it, and fresh asparagus. They even carry Organic Girl greens. Yum.
But what I appreciate most is the size of the place and the friendly people who work and shop there.
I go to Schnuck’s every month or so to get specialty items – such as fresh pesto and pasta – but I have to be in the right mood. Winding those long aisles and confronting rude shoppers wears me out. Even if I’m in a bad mood I can dash into Haddad’s – and probably be cheered up by a smile from someone in the process. It’s also close, which makes a big difference.
The Schnuck’s staff has always been friendly and they will help you out with groceries – but you don’t see the same folks there every day as you do at Haddad’s.
I hope as a community we can do whatever needs to be done to make sure this wonderful small business continues and that the employees get their jobs back when it reopens.
From adversity comes opportunity. Maybe this is a chance for us all to think how we can enrich our West Bluff and West Peoria community.
Ooh. Maybe they could also expand a bit and offer a little coffee shop, with soups and sandwiches?
Also wondering… is there a temporary location where they could at least set up a meat counter and deli – and offer some basics? That would keep customers happy and some full-time employees working.
Tulip, I had the same thought–a second floor with a coffee shop.
My Mom and Dad lost their house to fire years ago. I remember Mom calling me and before she told me the news she said, “Well, every cloud has a silver lining.” She had always hated that ill-designed house and was glad, through all the hardship and loss, to be able to move on.
Haddad’s building was not perfect. So, the silver lining is that they can rebuild into a stronger business with a better infrastructure.
And we can’t wait!
As I recall, the building dates from 1962, or maybe ’63, and originally housed a Jewel grocery store. Compared to everything else in the neighborhood at the time, the store seemed big, bright, and modern, with central air-conditioning. We made all kinds of excuses to go in there in on hot summer days, and spend 20 minutes deciding what flavor popscicle to get.
It would be interesting to learn the exact date ground was broken for the new market, and when it opened its doors for business. Cows had grazed in a pasture there previously.
Steve — According to a 5 January 1993 Journal Star article, the building “was constructed in 1965 when the Chicago-based Jewel food stores tried to make an incursion into central Illinois. ‘They came to Peoria with a Chicago atmosphere and ended up closing in 1970,’ [Fred] Haddad [Jr.] said. He purchased the building in 1978 and rented it to the U.S. Postal Service until 1981, when he moved from his 3,600-square-foot building [2504 Rohmann] into the current 12,000-square-foot store [2407 Rohmann].”
Here is the link to the history of Haddad’a and the building: http://www.westpeoriaresidents.org/history/haddad
This is incorrect. As I noted, the store was built in the early 60s. I know because I worked there bagging groceries and stocking shelves in 1963 and early ’64 while I was in high school.
I did write (compile) the story from old articles and information from Mark and other people–but I don’t doubt that there could be some errors. These are the additions and corrections that were brought to my attention when the story was printed:
David Haddad, the son of Fred Haddad, Jr., contacted the West Peoria News to say that the Haddad’s history in the February issue brought back memories and that he is glad that the store is doing well. Also, David provided some corrections to the article.
The Haddads never owned the building at 2405 W. Rohmann; they rented it from Gerard Fahnestock after he retired from the grocery business. Also, Fred Haddad, Jr., did not own the building at 2407 W. Rohmann until after it was vacated as an annex to the U. S. Postal Service.
David provided some updated information about the Haddad family. Fred Haddad, Sr., will be 95 in April and lives at Hopedale Nursing Home. Fred’s sister Frieda is 91. Patsy, a daughter of Fred, Sr., returned from Hawaii long ago and lives in Peoria with her husband, Josh Geske.
Fred, Jr., his wife Sandra, and their daughter Debbie (David’s sister) now live outside of Ashville, North Carolina, but still return to visit often. Debbie teaches elementary school. David himself and his wife Lisa live in Mapleton. David left the grocery business in 1995 to pursue a career in the electrical field.
David remembers West Peoria as a great neighborhood in which to work and wishes Mark continued success with the business that his family established, nurtured, and loved so much.
Steve, is it possible that you worked in the other Haddad’s building–
City directories indicate that from 1960-1961 the business at 2504 W. Rohmann was the Enright Super Value Grocery owned by Gordon and Bob Enright and that in 1962 the business was called Jerry’s Super Value.
In 1962 Fahnestock retired and subsequently sold the building to the Haddad family. In fact, Fahnestock’s wife Joyce began working at Haddad’s when it opened in the same building where she and her husband had their grocery store for about 24 years.
No, I never worked at “Jerry’s,” at 2504 Rohmann, but I did grow up in the neighborhood, and I know it well.
My recollections, above, are accurate.
I started my first job at “the Jewel store” newly built on the N. side of Rohmann between Sterling and Clifton Ct. in either 1962, when I turned 16, or ’63. The store had already been open a while before I went to work there, so it may have been constructed as early as 1961 or ’62, but certainly by 1963.
C.J. and I probably got our information from the same PJS story that gave the 1965 date for the construction of the building that just burned down. I learned after I wrote my story that the PJS was wrong about Fred’s owning the building and renting it to the post office before Haddad’s moved to the site; therefore, the PJS could well have been wrong about when the building was constructed.
Well at some point, that building was the Rohmann Carrier Annex of the USPS. I worked there. I do remember Jan ’79 when 20″ of snow collapsed the awning in front damaging several 1/2ton mail trucks. My dad was chief engineer with the USPS then and he had to certify the building safe before we could go in. The USPS built the new awning in front, the one that was still there when Haddad’s burnt down. I remember the building leaked like a sieve on the back wall, the woman’s bathroom was upstairs, and all the 61604, 61606, and 61605 routes went out of there. I’m talking circa 1978 to 1980
How much do we bill West Peoria for our services?
PeoriaFD: I doubt it–but I believe the WP Fire Dept, Limestone, etc., help Peoria out, also. I think firefighters have a brotherhood of sorts that does not adhere to boundaries or tax base.
I heard a rumor that Peoria had to be called bc no West Peoria firefighters were able to
be found. Sounds crazy but who knows?!
West Peoria needs to reimburse Peoria for their manpower. What would have happened if a home had caught fire on the west bluff?! Let West Peoria fight their own fires. Or pay taxes into our fire department.
I worked out of the Rohmann Ave.Postal Annex in 1968 so that Journal Star story is incorrect. Not surprising.
I know one West Peoria firefighter that went–I have a hard time believing that others weren’t there. A Peoria off duty firefighter who was on the way to our party at 11:30 told me that Peoria was called because the tall ladder was needed. He took pictures and came back to show us–I never heard any mention of a shortage of firefighters. Also, very early on they knew this was a losing battle–the fire wasn’t going to be put out, so it just had to be contained.
Peoria and West Peoria firefighters often show up together at major fires. I would hope that you are very sure of that rumor before spreading it further. Although a volunteer department, West Peoria firefighters are very conscientious.
West Peoria is rallying behind Mark and Haddad’s–no surprise there: http://www.pjstar.com/news/x1733661219/Haddads-Market-fire-not-suspicious-authorities-say
“I would hope that you are very sure of that rumor before spreading it further.”
Good advice, Sharon.
if trained volunteers are capable of fighting fires just like Union firefighters, then, wouldn’t someone supportive of that capability also support charter (non-union, but trained)teachers educating children?
Jim — Peoria FD is part of a reciprocal mutual aid service with other communities called MABAS. You might want to look into it.
Jon, I said to myself, “That comment will draw Jon out.” If not, Jon, then Jim Stowell will surely acknowledge his presence. 🙂 Yes, I realize that I have passed on what I called rumors–but usually with more than a little trust in my source. I risked the criticism on this one because I believe that the West Peoria firefighters are exceptionally devoted to the city. I would be extremely surprised to learn that a call to Haddad’s wouldn’t bring a full crew out. It was New Year’s Eve, so I would imagine that fewer than usual would be out. However, past practice, I believe, was to be sure enough firefighters were on call because it was New Year’s Eve.
Jon, also, my cousin was true to his word to you and revealed very little about you, so I am still in the dark as to your identity.
Oh, my goodness, I hadn’t read the comment of “Why” yet. Jim, you are listening. I think you will find that West Peoria’s firefighters are a bit more dedicated than those in other communities. However, I do know that West Peoria (and all volunteer departments) have a problem with spending money to train volunteers who then go to Peoria to get paid jobs. The same will certainly be true in teaching. In fact, I know that there are some (maybe more than some) teachers at Quest who are there only because they were pinkslipped in 150 or because there were no available “union” jobs.
Well, dollar for dollar on insurance (fire), I’ll bet I spend less to insure my home than those that have volunteer departments do. While I am not doubting for a minute the expertise of the WPFD, I know insurance companies do.
Oh and to this comment: “wouldn’t someone supportive of that capability also support charter (non-union, but trained)teachers educating children?”
No, if that were the case, then no teachers would show up at PHS. What’s the use?
Emtronics – I’ll take that bet.
I’ll bet you pay less, dollar for dollar, because your house is in Peoria with lower property values.
I don’t live in town now, but in recent years, the West Peoria volunteer firemen were called to duty by a very loud siren, capable of waking most of the sleeping, if not a few of the dead.
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In addition to the Jewel grocery store in this building on Rohmann in the early-mid 60s, there was at least one other Jewel grocery store in Peoria during this period. It was located on McClure, probably in a building now occupied by the Sutton Carpet Center, according to Google maps.
As I recall, the Jewel stores in Peoria turned into Super-Valu stores somewhere around 1964 or ’65.
After Traub’s blew up in ’57. Jerry’s had the corner to itself until Jewel came along. Other grocery shopping options for West Peorians of that era included Thompson’s Food Basket on Western, along with Piggly Wiggly, A&P, and Buehler’s on Main.
And now, for the first time in a very long time, there’s no grocery store at/near the corner of Rohmann & Sterling in West Peoria.
Peoria Fire was called for an aerial ladder truck, as was Peoria Heights. Limestone sent theirs probably on the initial call for mutual aid. The firefighting was well underway before Peoria was called. Take a look at the pictures on PJStar. Hard to believe that no West Peoria firefighters responded when almost all the pictures show WPFD firefighters in action. Even harder to believe that people come on this site to stir up crap when the outcome of this fire was as it was. Perhaps some of you should do a little research before you post.
Yes, CJ, all the departments that responded are part of MABAS (mutual aid box alarm system) Division 36. The idea is that no department can guarantee the resources to handle all the calls all the time (Peoria included) so they rely on each other for assistance. Some of this assistance is in the form of equipment. Peoria Fire houses all the Division’s major assets (haz mat response and technical rescue equipment). These assets are what the City gets in exchange for agreeing to respond elsewhere when needed. It should also be noted that they City rarely responds elsewhere, and when they do it is for a special need such as a ladder truck in this case.
West Peoria and the other departments should be commended. This building was of bowstring truss roof construction, a noted firefighter killer. Nobody was hurt, nothing else caught on fire, and everyone went home OK. An even greater tragedy would have been if they got themselves into the fire and had the roof collapse on top of them. I wonder if anyone would be trying to start rumors about the fire if that had happened.
Emtronics, your insurance rating doesnt have much to do with the fact that your fire department is paid or volunteer. The insurance industry doesn’t really distinguish the two. The rating depends on things like pumping capacity of the department’s engines, flow capacity of the water department that serves the area, water hauling capacity in case of no hydrants, distance you are from a fire station, training records of the department that serves you, ability to put x number of people on the scene withing x number of minutes, etc.
I don’t know the ISO rating of West Peoria, and I believe Peoria is a 2 or 3. I would be surprised if West Peoria wasn’t a 3 or 4. Either way, its not because insurance companies trust PFD over WPFD, its more because PFD has more equipment and more people.
Tony, thanks so much for your post–and calling to everyone’s attention the number of firefighters in West Peoria gear.
I was just shopping at HyVee and a family in front of me said, “We could have bought this at Haddad’s.” Of course, we then engaged in conversation, etc. I hope all the area stores don’t get to used to the added business–Haddad’s will be back. Fred Haddad certainly knew what he was doing when he entrusted his business to Mark and his dad. Mark is certainly showing Peoria what a fine young man he is.
“And now, for the first time in a very long time, there’s no grocery store at/near the corner of Rohmann & Sterling in West Peoria.”
You can almost see Kroger’s in Madison Park from there. At least the glow of the lights. Oh, I suppose no one from West Peoria will shashey over to Kroger’s in Madison Park right?
As for insurance, yes Peoria has houses of less value and a hell of a lot of more houses of more value than West Peoria and yes, no duh, if you have a valuable house, you pay more. But, my insurance company, The Hartford, wanted to know if Peoria had a volunteer force. I asked why and she said it cost more to insure than a paid city fire department. Call the Hartford and explain the pumping capacity to them.
Yes, thank you, Tony. I thought “Jim”‘s comment was insulting and in poor taste. I’m hoping he looks into MABAS and recognizes the value of it.
Emtronics, my comment was accurate.
I have no idea what people will do, so I try not to speculate. You can “almost see” a lot of things from West Peoria, but I think most West Peorians are smart enough to know that there are other grocery shopping options in town.
None, however, will be as convenient as a grocery store at/near the corner of Rohmann & Sterling, where there had been a grocers for a very long time, probably dating back to the 1930s.
Again, hoping someone in town will take the initiative to get the exact dates for groundbreaking and grand opening of the Jewel store at that location in the early 1960s. A trip to the courthouse should resolve the matter.
Emtronics, I know some West Peorians who do go to Kroger’s in Madison Park. Also, I don’t believe all of us shop exclusively at Haddad’s, but enough to make the store profitable. Mark has done a great job of marketing the store. Many people from other areas do shop at Haddad’s. When we were sitting outside Haddad’s having petitions signed against the shortened day that District 150 proposed, I was amazed at the number of customers who couldn’t sign because they didn’t live in West Peoria or Peoria.
Emtronics, your insurance company should base it’s fire rates on the ISO (Insurance Services Office) rating of the department. ISO is an “independent” outfit that provides insurance risk information to the insurance industry. (not the other ISO that you may have heard of).
I won’t deny that Peoria’s ISO rating is probably lower than West Peoria’s. I’m just saying that volunteer or paid isn’t really the reason why.
Emtronics – if your insurance company is basing your rates off your say-so, that’s pretty cool.
The must have cut back on the number of Actuaries.
I don’t have a clue what Hartford is basing anything off of. I never said I did. All I am saying is they asked about the fire protection. It is more for volunteer departments than it is for city departments. That simple. Other factors may weigh in, who knows. I am sure they checked. Damn, I just made a comment, didn’t pour any concrete or anything on anyone so WTF?
oops sorry I forgot. All the experts on this site.
Sharon and/or C.J.:
Were you ever able to find the correct date of construction for the original Jewel grocery store?
Still looking, I guess.