|
In 1923 Mrs. Farwell
purchased this store on Church Street and
converted it into a tea room and restaurant. A year and a half later, her
daughter, Mrs. Wight, joined her and in a short time this place became
deservedly popular. Mrs. Farwell is the widow of the late W.L.
Farwell and has lived in Bethel, village or country, all of her life. Mrs.
Wight is the widow of Walter T. Wight and has two children, William W. and
Kathleen. No one need worry if the larder is empty
for Farwell and Wight’s is always open and they can supply any need. Many improvements and additions have been
made in the property the past few years and they are fully equipped withy
more than a dozen electrical appliances: stoves, coolers, refrigerators,
etc., to cater to a first class and extensive trade. |
|
TEA ROOM OF FARWELL & WIGHT A. R. Farwell and L.F.
Wight, Props. |
|
The partnership dissolved after one and one-half
years. Mrs. Bradbury returned to West Paris and Miss Stearns continued the
firm under the name L.M. Stearns. Miss Stearns had a very able and faithful assistant,
Miss Bessie Kenney who remained with her until her marriage to Harold Stanley
of this town. Since then Miss Stearns has had her cousin, Mrs.
Annie Stearns Willey, who came to her in September 1906, acting as her
milliner, clerk, buyer and general factotum. As the business grew the need for larger quarters
became evident and in 1920 they took possession of the brick block at No. 3
Broad Street, then owned by William Hastings. For thirty years Miss Stearns has conducted an up to
date millinery and fancy goods store. The changing times has necessitated
frequent changes in the nature of the merchandise but the honest methods of
business and wish to give full value for the money received remain the same
in the establishment of L.M. Stearns. |
|
The L. (Laura) M. Stearns Store was first opened in Bethel by Mrs. M.G. Bradbury and
Miss Stearns in the spring of 1901. They were located in the store on Main
Street then owned by Howard Thurston. |
|
Frank R. Flint was born in Fryeburg August 7, 1874, moving to
Bethel with his parents when he was seven years old. He was educated in the Bethel
schools. Mr. Flint married Miss Blanche Penley in 1897 and they have two
children: Henry W. of Bethel, and Mrs. C.H. Swan of LaLoutre, Que. For 20 years Mr. Flint was employed
in the Bethel chair factory. For the past seven years he has been manager and
proprietor of the Star Lunch on lower Main Street. This popular restaurant
serves both regular meals and lunches and makes a specialty of home cooking. |
|
THE STAR LUNCH Frank R. Flint, Prop. Click photo to enlarge |
|
Dana C. Philbrook was born in Bethel April 26, 1871 the son of Samuel
D. and Emily J. Philbrook. His education was received in the public
schools and at Gould Academy and he took special training at Waltham
Horological School. He married Miss Grace E. Morrill June 3,
1896 and they have two children, Mrs. Ernestine Jackson and Clarence D. and
two grandson Joan and Barbara Jackson. Mr. Philbrook is a watchmaker of many years
experience and his work shop is located in his home on Mechanic Street. He is a member of the Bethel Lodge F &
AM. |
|
RESIDENCE OF DANA C. PHILBOOK Mechanic Street,
Bethel |
|
Mitchell A. Naimey during the last ten years has done much of a civic
nature for the central part of Bethel and we here give him a word of
deserving praise. He was born in Bayreuth, Syria, May 3,
1892, the son of Abraham and Susie Naimey. He was educated in the schools of Portland and 20 years ago
engaged in the clothing and dry goods business in that city, being in business
with his brother for some time. Success attended his every effort and in
1921 he came to Bethel and the next year built the Naimey Block. In doing this he rendered a real service in making an
attractive brick building where previously had been an unsightly old house
and store. In 1928, Mr. Naimey bought the old grain mill and
converted it into two modern stores. In 1930 he purchased the Upton farm at
Northwest Bethel. He married Miss Marie Baker in 1929 and
they have two sons, John A. and William M. He has a fine and up-to-date store and
carries a complete stock of ladies’ and gentlemen’s furnishing and clothing.
He specializes in Endicott Johnson shoes. Mr. Naimey served during the World War as
company mechanic at Camp Devens. He is a member of Bethel Lodge A & FM,
and the American Legion. |
|
The Bethel Journals More of the 1931 Business
Scene—Merchants, Restaurants and Craftsmen Farwell and Wight, Laura Stearns,
Frank Flint, Dana Philbrook and Mitchell Naimey |
