Everett's family run business since 1934.
In
1934, shortly after the end of Prohibition, Everett and Margaret
Chapel started in the tavern business just across the Wisconsin
border in South Beloit Illinois. After one year of good business
they outgrew their building and moved to a larger building one
mile farther south on Blackhawk Boulevard. Two years later after
growing weary of the bar business they moved to our present location
on Gardner Street and decided to sell package goods only.
In the spring of 1938 a flood devastated the store. In 1939 the Chapels decided to purchase the building and expand what is now a small part of our current location. Later in 1939 after a fire, Gerald Chapel, Everett and Margaret’s son started working at the store cleaning and stocking shelves.
In 1950 after one year of college, Gerald decided to join his parents in business. In 1952 Gerald went off to Korea to fight in the war. In 1953 he returned to manage the store.
In 1975 Everett Chapel retired and Gerald bought the store and it’s property.
In 1979 Gerald purchased the adjacent land and added more parking.
In 1978 Gerald’s son Brian started working for his father at age 12, cleaning and stocking shelves. Brian became President of the Corporation in 2001.
Five generations of Chapels have worked in the store: Everett’s father Ralph, Everett and Margaret, Everett’s son Gerald and his wife Helen, Everett’s daughter Joan, Gerald’s son Brian and his wife Penny, Gerald’s daughter Nancy and Brian’s son Bryan.
