Durkee Hat Store
by Maralyn Fink
I am remembering my early days everyone wore a hat.
Our local millinery shop was located at 103 N. Clinton in the first block of downtown St Johns. It was owned by two sisters named Susie and Mabel Durkee.
I went there with my mother while she shopped, and I tried to try on the hats. Often got a “look” from the shop owners, so I decided that was not what I was suppose to do to entertain myself.
Hats were a must back then and into the late 60’s, always a must at church. I remember just shopping in downtown Lansing which was a treat when hats were worn then also.
Like many local stores, Durkee’s Hat Shop began at another location. The original shop was founded in 1893 by Mrs. L. Canfield. Sue had joined the sales staff at the age of 18. By 1900 she had become head saleswoman and purchased the business herself. This shop was located down the street where the Clinton Theater was later located. Sue’s business shared space with a restaurant run by her brother, Wilbur Durkee.
After the theater building took over that location, Sue and Mable moved the hat shop up the block to the storefront which would occupy the second door down from Walker’s Cafe. After Sue’s death on September 11, 1965 at the age of 90, Walker’s Cafe was expanded to include that store.
Clinton Ave. around 1900
Here is an old remedy
Home Remedies From The Early Days
Please do not rely on this today!
The ‘Eyes” Have It
When we had a sty, Mama took a piece of bread, soaked it in milk and had us lie in the sun with the bread on the sty. It drew out the inflammation.