1027 Burlington Ave

In 1892, a two-story wooden frame building was erected at this location. Among the early businesses located here were the Downers Grove News Agency, W. R. Cole Plumbing and Heating, Chas. W. Friedrich Mortician/Ambulance Service, Moore Tailor Shop and a billiard hall. Sometime after 1927, a new brick building followed the tradition of being home to local businesses. Two locally owned shops now make their home here: Pinecone Cottage Tea House and Catering established in 1990 and Orange and Brew, a bottle shop and tap room opened in 2018.

Building History

Original Two-Story Wood Frame Building

The first building on this location sat on approximately the same footprint as the existing building. It was a two-story wooden structure. The building was noted as being 22 feet tall on the Sanborn Maps. In 1892, the building was still under construction. It was a prime downtown location as it faced the railroad tracks. The second floor of the building served as living quarters, often for the merchants below. By 1933, according to the Sanborn Maps, this first building was gone. An alley was now present just west of the building running from Burlington to Curtiss. The Curtiss side of that alley remains today. Some of the known uses of the original building included:

• 1898 – The earliest known tenant was a billiard hall on the west half of the building.
• 1900-1909 – Bertram Roth Tailor Shop. He lived above the store. He moved to Main Street in 1909.
• 1909 – A barber shop occupied the east side of the building.
• 1909 – The DG News Agency moved from Main Street into the space formerly occupied by B. Roth.
• 1921 – Chas. W. Friedrich sells a variety of items at this location.
• 1923 – A.P. Nelson lives in the building.

In 1921, the Sanborn Maps [below left] indicated a music store on the east side and the west side appears vacant. The ad pictured below highlights the music store as Chas. W. Friedrich, which sold Brunswick phonographs, records, and furniture in addition to providing undertaker and ambulance service – perhaps that era’s version of a variety store. By 1923, Chas. W. Friedrich had moved to South Main.

Current One-Story Brick Building

Sometime before 1947, the current brick building was erected. It was initially configured for three business, with the addresses of 1027, 1029, and 1031.

By 1951, the building was home to Moore Tailor Shop at 1029 and the offices of Dr. J. J. Erben and Dr. T. W. Hill.

More recent businesses in this space included the Galleria Hair Salon and Day Spa which relocated to 5147 Mochel Drive and Be Fit Physical Therapy and Pilates (2012-about 2018) which moved across the railroad tracks to 4934 Main Street.

Current Tenants

Today, two shops, both owned by Downers Grove residents, now make their home here.

Pinecone Cottage Tea House and Catering was established in 1990 by Pamela Geralds. It offers “Delectable Tea. Delicious Sweets and Savories.”

Orange and Brew, a bottle shop and tap room was opened in 2018 by Eric and Carrie Schmidt. The name of this business pays homage to the colors of their alma mater, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.