Return to Reflections index page
issue date - October 27, 2002
 |
| Moll's Meat Market - In 1877, Moll's Meat Market opens on East Main Street. An ad from 1898 states: "Michael Moll and Son, Dealers in fresh and salt meats. Lard and sausage." Notes from 1899 indicate that "Michael Moll, the east side meat dealer, has been filling his ice house with six-inch ice. Mr. Moll rents the ice ponds of Torrance." A successful businessman, Moll, in 1901, builds a fine and costly residence on Buffalo Street. Life takes a downward turn in 1904, however, when Moll is confined to his home due to poor health. "A young German lad" when he came to Gowanda, Moll decides to retire and turns the business over to his sons. In 1906, Michael Moll's "fine new residence" is damaged by lightning during a severe storm. Notes from 1908 read: "Michael Moll died at his residence on Buffalo Street Monday evening. A few days ago, he fell and broke his arm, but was recovering from the accident. He had been in poor health for some years. He was born in Germany and came to this village when a young man, and had been engaged in the meat trade many years with the aid of his three sons. Besides the sons, he is survived by his wife and two daughters." An ad from 1909 defines the next generation of ownership: "G.A. [George] and F.T. [Frank] Moll, Home-made sausage and lard. Also choice meats of all kinds." By 1928, the market advertises: "Moll's Meat Market, Phone 114, Better Meats! Better Meals! You'll be proud to serve our roasts or poultry. Our meats look better, cook better and taste better. We take pride in our high quality." This is the site where Travel With Us is currently located. (Photo courtesy of Gowanda Area Historical Society.) |