The Story
In 1893, George Schmid & Sons cigar factory was built at 129 West Wisconsin Ave. This was a family owned company, with George in charge, and his wife Henrietta and son Conrad as assistants. The building consisted of a cigar retail store on the street level and cigar factory on the second level. The store was open until 1928. The Jerrold Company followed the cigar company and was known for their men's clothing (women's clothing was added in 1936). In 1944, Langstadt's Inc. occupied the building and was an appliance company, including repairs through 1964.
In the early 1920s, 131 W. Wisconsin Ave was turned into a shop for the August Drake family - his wife sold hats (millnery) and he sold auto parts. By 1928, the Drake's ended their business and the shop became Krempien's Boot Shop. A clothing store, Block's Clothes Shop opens in the mid 1930s followed by the Cotton Shop. Mrs. Helen Cobb managed the Cotton Shop and took over ownership in 1939 changing the name to Cobb's and making it a women's clothing store. In 1945, Mrs. Cobb sold her store to Earl Pantton, an advertising and display manager at Jandrey's. Pantton's Apparel Shop open and later became Pantton's Town and Country shop. In 1964, the Pantton's Town and Country Shop remodeled their portion of the building and expanded to include 129 W. Wisconsin Ave as well. The building stayed as the clothing shop until the 1980s.
The former Pantton store became La Zotte's, a clothing store due to a change in ownership in 1981 followed by The Stork Shop in 1983 specializing in maternity and childrens wear. Joseph's Shoes moved into the 131 space in 1985 and expanded to include both parts of the building. The 129 portion of the building became Katherine K's Town & Country clothing store in 1983 until the Joseph's Shoe expansion in 1986. In 2005, the combined building housed Articulate Video Productions and Geoffrey Cook Studios (photography). In 2009, Lucy's Closet, a pet boutique opened at 129 W. Wisconsin and Vintique, a vintage clothing store, opened at 131 W. Wisconsin Ave. Vintique closed in June 2018 and was replaced by Luxe Fine Jewelry in August 2018.
In the early 1920s, 131 W. Wisconsin Ave was turned into a shop for the August Drake family - his wife sold hats (millnery) and he sold auto parts. By 1928, the Drake's ended their business and the shop became Krempien's Boot Shop. A clothing store, Block's Clothes Shop opens in the mid 1930s followed by the Cotton Shop. Mrs. Helen Cobb managed the Cotton Shop and took over ownership in 1939 changing the name to Cobb's and making it a women's clothing store. In 1945, Mrs. Cobb sold her store to Earl Pantton, an advertising and display manager at Jandrey's. Pantton's Apparel Shop open and later became Pantton's Town and Country shop. In 1964, the Pantton's Town and Country Shop remodeled their portion of the building and expanded to include 129 W. Wisconsin Ave as well. The building stayed as the clothing shop until the 1980s.
The former Pantton store became La Zotte's, a clothing store due to a change in ownership in 1981 followed by The Stork Shop in 1983 specializing in maternity and childrens wear. Joseph's Shoes moved into the 131 space in 1985 and expanded to include both parts of the building. The 129 portion of the building became Katherine K's Town & Country clothing store in 1983 until the Joseph's Shoe expansion in 1986. In 2005, the combined building housed Articulate Video Productions and Geoffrey Cook Studios (photography). In 2009, Lucy's Closet, a pet boutique opened at 129 W. Wisconsin and Vintique, a vintage clothing store, opened at 131 W. Wisconsin Ave. Vintique closed in June 2018 and was replaced by Luxe Fine Jewelry in August 2018.
Sources:
Adams, Peter. Neenah Historical and Architectural Survey and Nomination Project. Rep. Neenah: Neenah Historical Society, 1982. Print.
Bunn. Bunn's Neenah Directory. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.
Lucy's Closet photo and info from: http://www.lucysclosetpetboutique.com
Vintique info from: http://www.vintiqueboutique.com/Home_Page.html
Luxe from their Facebook page accessed September 2021
Newspaper articles and advertisements accessed through newspapers.com September 7, 2021
Adams, Peter. Neenah Historical and Architectural Survey and Nomination Project. Rep. Neenah: Neenah Historical Society, 1982. Print.
Bunn. Bunn's Neenah Directory. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.
Lucy's Closet photo and info from: http://www.lucysclosetpetboutique.com
Vintique info from: http://www.vintiqueboutique.com/Home_Page.html
Luxe from their Facebook page accessed September 2021
Newspaper articles and advertisements accessed through newspapers.com September 7, 2021