30: Little Gem Lunch – 1915, 553-555 North Market Boulevard

Map It - Get Directions to Stop 30

This one-story 19th century commercial style building represents typical retail buildings from the era and was originally platted as part of the 640 acre Donation Land Claim by Schuyler & Eliza Saunders in 1856.  The first tenants of the building were Clovis I. and Hattie Belknap who operated the Little Gem Lunch until 1918.  In 1919, the building was reconstructed to create two storefronts.

Nathan Tailoring Company occupied the 553 half of the building from 1925-1934, and for the next 35 years, Tom Massalas, a Greek immigrant, operated the Chehalis Shoe Hospital.  From 1974 to 2008 the building housed a beauty salon, team sport clothing store, computer store, and a catering business before the current occupant began business.

The first business to occupy the 555 address was C.J. Griffith's Confections & Cigars, operating from 1920 to 1926 when the name changed to Wentzel & Osborne Confectionary.  During National Prohibition (1920-1933) taverns and saloons often changed their names to "confections" and sold soft drinks instead of liquor.  Once the 18th Amendment was repealed by the 21st Amendment, alcohol returned to the confectionary.  In 1939, Fred's Tavern (renamed Office Tavern in 1961) opened and operated for 67 years.