Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-08-12
Bigger and Better
Easfon Seen After
81 Million Blaze
By Riehord Rodgers
Stor s,off corrssponden,


EASTON, Md, Aug. 12.-For
q little place with, at most, a
5000 population. this Eastern
Shore community acts today as
if yesterdays million-dolla fire
was just case of sunburn.
The blaze burned out five
stores in Easton, county seat Of
Talbot County.
But many of the most affected
people talk as though the fire
was just a cauterization that will
make the towns economy
healthier.
Lawrence Birge. the acting
Mayor, is on the verge Of being
glad that fire destroyed five
business places.
eft was terrible thing" he
conceded. But it will help
Easton eventually. I think"
Bigger Store Promised.
Only one of the five ruined
stores will be out of business
any considerable length Of time.
That's McCrory'S 5 and 10. It's
manager, E. A. Frenz, said:
We'll be back in there bigger
and better than ever"
His store played major part
in Easton's business life up to
about 3 am. yesterday. when
the fire started. It was regarded
as the biggest 5-and-10 on the
peninsula.
That's a big lure for women
living outside town, just as it is
for townspeople. Talbot County
has some 10000 population and
Mr.. Frenz' emporium of the dime
was considerably bigger than
counterparts serving much more
populous areas around Washing
ton.
He had about 80 employees.
But few will be jobless for long.
This is Easton's busy season in
canneries. His key workers will
be taken on in other nickel-and-
dime stores. The ordinary clerks
can get jobs in the canning
plants.
Mr.. Frenz says the store, once
its shell is RACED and replaced.
will be booming again.
That won't be before next
January, however. Once the
canning season wanes, there will
be some unemployed. Not many,
though. Other businesses here
abouts need them.
The nickel-dime store was L.
shaped. Its short leg was on
Goldsborough street, against
Peoples Meat Market. a grocery
store. The long leg fronted on
Washington street, Easton's main
drag, and was diagonally across
from the county court house.
On Washington street, Nc
-Crory's was the only damaged
store. All hands concerned give
credit to Easton's and eight other
fire departments for saving adj
joining buildings, including
bank, two drugstores and q hard
ware store in an old frame, block
long structure filled with combus-
.tibles.
s Where Fire Started.
One Of the leading independ-
ent grocers in Easton is John
Griffin, owner Of the Peoples
Meat Market. His store is
where the fire is supposed to
have started-from a short cir
cult in the wiring.
Today his charred locker room
door gaped wide, with twice.
baked ham loaves peeping out.
Mr.. Grifin's meatblocks-he had
seven-were crisped beyond saw
ing. His freezer cases were every
which-way. And there was no
roof over his store.
But he'll be back in business
as soon as the suppliers can fill
his Shelves" said the acting
Mayor. "He told me he's already
got a place almost right across
the street from the old place"
Other Places Destroyed.
The other places destroyed by
yesterdays fire included:
Anthony & Latham, real
estate and fire insurance. Their
Office, was destroyed, but they
are ready to set up shop i'm
mediately, according to the act
ing Mayor.
Taylor Auto Supply, a chain
firm outlet. which is negotiating
now for another place nearby.
And right now a loan COM
pany. formerly with Offices over
the Washington street entrance
to the f1ve-and-dime, is lending
money once again-from house
a block away from it's original
site.
Acting Mayor Birge said, Wen
get along. The. one-story building
that was ruined will be replaced
by at least a two-story one. It'll
mean better business and more
jobs"