#122: Deeds exist for this land, fronting 60 feet on Washington Street and running back 200 feet to an alley in the 1830s. Some of those owners were Julianna Hall (1817-1872), Abraham L. Jarrett, John Ahern, William and Margaret Slater, and John Campbell. While it is not known when the current building was constructed, it is thought that the rear part of this building may have been built earlier than the front showroom.

It is known that Harry Mitchell’s automobile showroom was located here in 1922 where they sold Cadillacs, and Paul Latka managed a garage in the rear. Harry Mitchell (1872-1933) moved his business in 1928 after he built a larger dealership at 880 Otsego Street. During that time, the building had been owned by members of the Mary Botts family; when it descended to Samuel and Elizabeth Botts in 1928 they sold it to Hugh J. Murray, Jr. He opened the Hugh Murray Motor Company, selling Graham cars and Paige commercial cars (produced between 1927 and 1940). Property ownership reverted in the 1930s, however, to Michael H. Fahey (1865-1940), who had provided the mortgage to Hugh Murray. In 1938 this was Willys Motors, where George C. Pensell was the owner and sold the jeeps. When Michael H. Fahey died, the Circuit Court ordered the property to be sold; this was done in a private sale in 1942 when it was bought by Joseph D. Silverstein (1909-1981).

It is known, however, that Joseph’s Department Store opened in 1937. This is possibly explained by ownership having reverted to the Faheys in the 1930s and the failure of the deceased Michael Fahey to have filed a timely new deed to Joseph D. Silverstein. In the alternative, the front property may have been rented by Joseph Silverstein prior to his purchasing the whole building. The 1940 Census shows that Joseph and Gussie Silverstein were living in a rental unit at 401 North Union Avenue at the time. Joseph had been born in Russia in 1909 and Gussie in Austria a couple of years before that. The Silverstein family became and remain prominent citizens in Havre de Grace. Joseph and Gussie had three sons, Dr. Emanuel H. “Monte” Silverstein (1935-2021), Elias H. Silverstein, and Dr. Louis Silverstein.

“Joseph’s Cut Rate Department Store” was popular with children and their parents because of its 1950s mechanical tug boat that children could ride for 10 cents in those early years, which “Grandpa Joe” often provided to them. (In 2017 the same tug boat was returned to the store and remains on display.) Dr. Louis Silverstein, one of Joseph’s sons, said he worked in the store as a child, sweeping the floor, doing sales and running the cash register. Pat Brogan relates that in 1955 her husband worked in Joseph’s for the going rate of $1 per hour.

Elias “Eli” Silverstein, another son, took over the store when their father, Joseph, died in 1981 and ran it for many years. In January 2014, Dr. Louis Silverstein took over the business from Eli upon his retirement. Under the management of Louis’s wife, Christy Potter Silverstein, they expanded into the premises into next door (128 North Washington) in 2015. The late Beverly Gordon, a long-time employee, had provided continuity and had been dressing the windows of Joseph’s for several decades. Her son, Alex Gordon, now manages the store with the same continuity but a fresh eye for the needs of a current business. A store customer today can select items from the 1900s walnut display tables, view themselves in the 1900s Taylor mirror, and see a real 1930s shoe shine bench. And while they can view the 1914 cash register, their purchases will be made with current technology.

#128: This was one of the Frank Shoe Stores for several years, at least from 1960 through 1993, begun by Frank J. Angert and Naomi Angert. Their son, the late Donald F. Angert (1929-2019), took over and grew the family business, popular for their Buster Browns (and the Tootsie Rolls they gave to kids), but also for supplying “Shoes for the Family.” Julie Quimby said, “He was the kindest man to have as a boss.” Donald Angert later became President of the Columbian Bank and was active in many civic and community organizations. Donald’s wife was Louise Foley Angert, the daughter of the well-known Dr. Charles J. Foley, whose father built 400 South Union Avenue and at one time owned the Bayou Hotel building. Many people remember Donald and Louise’s cocker spaniel, “Buffy.” After Frank’s Shoe Store closed, the space became Advanced Electronics, then Cingular Wireless, and now is part of Joseph’s Department Store as The Toy Box. The entire building continues to be owned by the Silverstein family.

County Records
Built 1940. 12,832 sq ft commercial retail store, 12,800 sq ft lot.