The building in May of 2021. The "Sante Wine Bar & Bistro" sign invites customers into the winery and bistro while the Re/Max property is on the second level.
LOCATION
Approximate date of construction:
Not known. Neighboring buildings were built in 1861.
First owner of the building and their occupation:
Bissell Bros., pioneer Neenah merchants, were the first known grocery merchants. The Daily News & Times newspaper from June 24, 1942, states the "Bissell Brothers were the first operators of a grocery store at 108 W. Wisconsin, in business for many years, prior to and after 1887."
Building's original use:
Warehouse, grocery store
Major changes:
1944: The longstanding trend of grocery store occupancy came to a halt. After this point, new businesses instead provided items like clothes and sporting goods.
1950: Morton Drugs, a pharmacy known for its medicine, cosmetics, and famous soda, occupied the building for half a century.
2007: Morton Pharmacy stopped occupying the building. After this point, the space was occupied by a variety of businesses, including artistic and wine-related ventures.
Events of importance:
Although no known events impacted the building directly, in 1883 a nearby event known as the Pettibone Block fire. Flames burned across the First National Bank and the Pettibone Block. This building, however, was saved from the fire which extended to Elwers Drugs, only two businesses away.
Relationship to Community:
The businesses which occupied this building have deeply impacted their surrounding community by providing goods for people and creating a social environment.
When Peterson Grocery existed, it provided goods to the public, and the Kuehl Brothers Grocery continued this trend.
In addition to providing medicines, Morton Drugs created an unexpected social environment as people drank the famous soda together