In 1916, James J. Kennedy sold candy and nuts, groceries and provisions here at #102, although it is not known for how long because the Asher family (the same Asher family that owned 100 North Washington Street) opened their own choice meats and groceries store in 1917—Asher’s Meat Market. The first floor of this building was “A.G. Asher,” grocery and butcher shop, (known as a “GA Store,” a Grocery Country Store Co-Op) run by Ada May Keen Asher (1897-1982) and her husband, Arthur P.G. Asher (1891-1942) until his death. They also sold fruits and vegetables, as well as “fresh dressed chickens” and “white house coffee.” By 1947 it was a “Completely remodeled self-service food market.”

At some point, this may have been an Acme store for a short while. But around 1950 the ground floor level became Greenleaf Supply Company that sold, among other things, coal for heating. It also was known as Asher’s Paint Store and Glidden Paint Shop and run for many years by Arthur “Donald” Asher (1920-2000) and his wife, Betty Gordon Asher, specializing in Dutch Boy paints and wallpaper but also carrying art supplies. Donald was the son of Arthur P.G. and Ada May Keen Asher. It’s been said that customers could usually count on hearing “a good yarn” when they stopped in. Betty L. Asher died in 1993, having been married 54 years to Donald.

The Asher family also owned the Havre de Grace Distributing Company, begun in 1933 by Arthur P.G. Asher after the repeal of the 18th Amendment that brought Prohibition. Their office was in several different places over time including here. But the distribution center for Pabst Blue Ribbon, Old Reading, and Schmidt’s Beer was in their warehouse at 121 St. John Street. After the 1942 death of Arthur P.G. Asher, the beer and wine business was run by Kathryn J. Asher, his daughter, for about 50 years. Kathryn Asher was active in several community organizations and died in 2005.

Donald Asher’s most significant achievement may have been the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum, which he helped to found in the 1980s. “The museum was Mr. Asher’s brainchild," said the late Dr. John Carriere, a retired physician and former president of the museum's board of directors. A decoy collector, Donald Asher remained active with the Decoy Museum until he died in May 2000 at the age of 80.

In 2015 the interior of the ground floor here was torn out and the whole building was renovated. In 2018 the property opened as the City Playroom, an indoor playground for young children but it closed after a few months. The building continues to be owned by the Asher family.

Shawn Forton, a well-known local artist and muralist, opened his workshop and showroom, Unlimited Art, here in 2019 and also hosts art classes. Shawn has created some of the historic murals in town including one on the base of the original train station facing Warren Street and one near the Visitor Center at Freedom Lane and Pennington Avenue.

County Records
Built 1880. 5 Units. 3120 sq ft, retail store, 2200 sq ft lot.