The E M Wolf Building
This is one of a series highlighting the historic buildings of downtown Bellevue.
The brick, 3-story building at 120-122 East Main bears the name “E M Wolf “ on its pediment. It was built by Emanuel M. Wolf as an elegant men’s clothing store in 1897. The Masonic Lodge rented the third floor for their lodge rooms until building their current lodge in the 1970’s.
The Bellevue Gazette reported the shop’s opening on Oct. 21, 1897... “The elegant new store of E.M. Wolf’s Sons was thrown open to the public for the first time on Friday evening last... and 1,000 people, in all, called during the evening.”
The store was, with one exception, the largest single ‘business room’ in town. “In the front of the storeroom is the office of the Industrial Savings Loan Assn. It is provided with a large and well-built safe of the most approved pattern. Here Jos. E. Wolf, as Secretary of the Industrial Savings & Loan, will be pleased to meet all the patrons and friends of the company. A similar compartment in the rear of the room, will be used as the business office of the new firm, and will be presided over by Sol M. Wolf.”
The article continued, “The numerous counters and spacious show windows afford room for the display of a large and well selected assortment of ready-made clothing, gentlemen’s furnishings,suiting, etc. purchased in New York City. “ The Wolf Clothing Store had a long and illustrious history from its founding in 1862 until it was sold in 1942.
In its early days, Industrial Savings & Loan specialized in loans to immigrant families, helping them to buy their first home, and realize the ‘Americandream’. The store was also“the”meeting place for Bellevue’s City and business leaders. Some said more business was settled at the Wolf store than in City Council meetings in those days.
The Wolf store became Edwards Clothiers, and then K&E Clothier, doing business until the early 1960’s. Mook Recreation Hall was on the 2nd floor in the 1960’s; it then became M&M Recreation.
In the 1940’s the A&P Tea Co. briefly occupied #120; then it became the Western Auto store. Other businesses in the 1960’s and ‘70’s included: Big Plus Discount Store; City Loan; Mr. C’s Salon (Carl Oddo); Peg’s Place; and the Village Collection. Today, it houses a beauty salon (Flair 105) and a vacant storefront. The third floor is undergoing a major renovation for a new tenant.
From the Bellevue Gazette dated October 14, 1897
NOTICE: We have a large line of the latest patterns in imported and domestic suitings. Our merchant tailoring department is in charge of a skilled and competent cutter and every garment turned out by us will be with a guarantee of style, fit, and workmanship. We open our new store this week, Friday evening, and will be pleased to serve our patrons in department after that time. We are now in a position to turn out the most stylish garments and ask but a trial to convince. E.M. Wolf’s Sons
