Since at least the turn of the century, there has been a store located in this spot. In 1907 it was listed as Griggs & Sons, and I have no doubt in my mind, that it was owned by the Benjamin Griggs family who only lived two short blocks away at 1001 E. College Street. The same family owned the Griggs Brick plant located at the end of E. College St.
When Hester opened the store he also bought the home next door to the west at 1001 E. Main Street. He had them arranged so that he could go out the back of the store and right to his home next door.
Hester and his wife Georgia operated the store up to her death in 1940. Hester continued running the business until about 1950 when he sold to a Mrs. Shreve that lived near the store on Gray Street.
When Hester stopped doing business he moved from the Main Street home on the west of the store to the house located directly behind the store at 109 S. Gray St. His daughter Hester Louise was married to Carl Sorgen and they occupied the E. Main house for decades.
While Davis was in business it went under the names variously of H.L. Davis Grocery, Davis Grocery and Davis Market.
The building had to be rebuilt twice due to a fire in December of 1922 and February 1929, both while Hester owned it.
After its sale to Shreve’s around 1950 it became Shreve’s IGA Super Market until around the early 1960’s when it became Small’s Market which it remains today.
(Data from Marion City Directories, compiled by Sam Lattuca on 04/26/2013)