American Club House Cheese, manufactured by the Chandler & Rudd Company of Cleveland, Ohio, was described like this in an October, 1895 advertisement found in “Cosmopolitan” magazine.
AMERICAN CLUB HOUSE CHEESE is a soft, rich cheese, unexcelled for lunch or dinner in private houses, clubs, restaurants and hotels. Put up in hermetically sealed glass jars, it is especially adapted for traveling or excursion luncheons.
It’s trademark was registered on December 20, 1891 and I suspect it was popular during the mid-1890’s when it was advertised in several national magazines including “Munsey’s,” “Cosmopolitan,” ” Life”and “Good Housekeeping.” Advertisements, both national and local to Cleveland, disappear by 1906, so it’s not clear if it remained on the market after that time.
Many American Club House Cheese advertisements, like the one below, found in the December, 1894 edition of “Good Housekeeping,” made the following offer.
A miniature jar of the Cheese will be sent to any address upon receipt of 10 cents in stamps, large size jar 50 cents, by express, prepaid.
The subject jar, containing approximately 3 liquid ounces, is likely the miniature version.
While the history of American Club House Cheese may have been relatively short, the history of its manufacturer, Chandler & Rudd was certainly not. Their story starts with George H. Chandler who, according to his biography found in “A History of Cleveland and its Environs,” published in 1918, was born in Stroud, England on May 6, 1835. At the age of 22 he set out for America where he settled in Cleveland, Ohio and began working with his uncle, Charles Chandler, a fruit and seed merchant. This May 14, 1858 advertisement for his uncle’s business found in the “Cleveland Plain Dealer,” was likely published around the time George joined the business.
Twelve years later, in December, 1870, George Chandler, along with another of Charles Chandler’s employees, Joseph Abbott, formed a copartnership and purchased the stock and good will of a grocery business called Jones, Potter & Co. Established several years earlier, in 1864, Jones, Potter & Co. called themselves “Dealers in Fine Groceries” in this advertisement that ran in several editions of the “Cleveland Plain Dealer” during the Fall of 1870.
On December 31, 1870 the Chandler & Abbott partnership along with their newly acquired grocery business were introduced to the public in the “Cleveland Plain Dealer.”
NEW GROCERY STORE AT THE OLD STAND. – Mr. G. H. Chandler and Mr. Joseph Abbott, both experienced grocery men, having been for many years with C. Chandler, have formed a copartnership under the name of Chandler & Abbott, and have purchased from the assignee of Jones, Potter & Co. the whole stock of choice groceries, etc., and will continue the business at No.86 Public Square. They will immediately open a stock of fresh goods of everything in the grocery and provision line; also all kinds game, fish and fowls, and in fact everything in their line is first class. Messrs. Chandler & Abbott hope that by their thorough knowledge of the business, and by giving careful attention to all customers, to keep a store that will merit a liberal share of public patronage.
The copartnership was initially listed at the 86 Public Square address in Cleveland’s 1871 city directory.
That said, it would be the partnership’s one and only listing in the Cleveland directory. Sometime during that first year Abbott either retired or simply left the business and was replaced by William Cullen Rudd.
The change had certainly occurred by November 4, 1871 when this “Cleveland Leader” advertisement listed the partnership of Chandler & Rudd at the 86 Public Square address.
Chandler & Rudd operated out of this location until the fall of 1876 when the November 18th edition of the “Cleveland Leader” announced that they were moving next door.
FROM 86 TO 88
Messrs. Chandler & Rudd’s Removal to Their New Store
For over five years the firm of Messrs. Chandler & Rudd have been doing business at No. 86 Public Square, but to meet the demands of their increasing patronage they have long felt the need of more room and better facilities. These they are now happily prepared to enjoy, and when the doors open on Saturday morning it will not be at No. 86, but at the “next door,” No. 88, in the elegant new quarters prepared and fitted for them and their business. “No. 88” is larger in every way than “No. 86,” (the rear of which is made a part of the new store), and has ample warehouse and storage facilities. The store proper is perfect in all its appointments, and affords all desirable conveniences for proprietors and patrons.
The stock – much of which is new – has been bought for the new place, and, if such a thing is possible, is finer and better than even the old stock…
This photograph of their 88 Public Square storefront appeared years later in the January 17, 1951 edition of the “Cleveland Plain Dealer.”
The caption below the photograph identified the man with the beard in the doorway (far left) as George Chandler.
On a side note: In 1882, a re-numbering of the street system changed the company address from No. 88 to No. 116 Public Square. The change was reflected in Cleveland’s 1882-1883 directory.
The November 18, 1876 “Cleveland Leader” story went on to describe a sampling of the products offered by the company at around the time they moved next door.
The display of goods is simply elegant. The stock of canned goods is made up of the choicest brands of Fruits, Vegetables, Soups, and the like, with new lines especially in Pears in gallon and half-gallon jars. Many of these they have also in glass, in which form they also show immense quantities of Preserves, Marmalades, Pickles, and other rare goods. An extra stock of Teas are also provided, and fancy Biscuits, Macaroons, etc., of the Kennedy and Marabou brands, hold a prominent place. Cheese of the famous Roquefort, Stilton, Cheddar, and other brands, are in stock, while Straight’s Sweet Clover Creamery Butter retains its former prominence and favor. For holiday supplies they have made ample provisions. Crystalized Fruits, Finest Raisins, Figs, and other Fruits are in abundance with delicacies in Chocolates, etc., that will please all.
Never was a place better supplied with finer or better goods, and never was a house in better shape for doing justice to patrons than in that of Chandler & Rudd, No. 88, Public Square. We can only say in addition, look in on them, and leave orders if you want good things.
Making use of their added space the company announced in the December 15, 1876 edition of the “Cleveland Plain Dealer” they were adding candy to their inventory.
SPECIAL NOTICE – HOLLIS CARAMELS AT CHANDLER & RUDD’S – Having room and facilities in our new store, we have decided to put in a stock of Candies, and have just made arrangements with Mr. Hollis for his noted Caramels, Creams, etc. These goods need no recommendation to those who know them and many of our customers will be glad to learn they can again procure them without crossing the river.
Later, according to a June 21, 1878 “Cleveland Leader” advertisement they even added lake ice to their inventory.
In addition to an expanding inventory the company was also expanding their reach within the Cleveland area. This led to the opening of a second store to service their East Cleveland patrons. Located at Euclid Avenue and East 55th Street, the announcement appeared in the March 1, 1888 edition of the “Cleveland Leader.”
We Open Today
Beginning Thursday morning, March 1, we shall open an up-town store at Euclid Avenue Station. We have purchased of Messrs. Smith Bros. their stock, fixtures and good will of the business, and have also secured the store adjoining them formerly occupied by Mr. William M. Cope as a drug store. As soon as possible these stores will be thrown into one large store, where we shall keep the same line of goods as we do down town. No expense will be spared to make this store as attractive and complete as possible, and by being so much nearer to our East Cleveland patrons we shall be able to fill their orders more promptly than ever before. There will be no interruption in the business while the necessary changes are being made. We trust that the patrons of Messrs. Smith Bros. may favor us with their patronage, and we shall endeavor to give them entire satisfaction.
CHANDLER & RUDD
At this point, the company’s October 12, 1888 “Delivery Schedule” published in the “Cleveland Leader” suggests they were servicing a significant portion of Cleveland and even doing some business out of town.
It was around the same time that a November 23, 1888 story in the “Cleveland Leader” announced that plans were in the works to replace the Public Square store with a new and larger facility.
Chandler & Rudd, the grocery firm on Monumental Square have leased for a term of ten years the store and basement of the old firm of Cobb, Andrews & Co. on Euclid Avenue a few doors east of their present location. The firm will also control all the floors above the store… After New Years the work of remodeling will begin and in February the present store will be abandoned all together for the new quarters.
Listing an address of 22 and 24 Euclid Ave., (it would later change to 234 Euclid Avenue when Cleveland adopted a unified street address system in 1907) the new store’s opening was announced in the “Cleveland Leader” on April 5, 1889.
…The architect, Mr. Charles F. Schweinfurth, has succeeded in producing not only the handsomest store in Cleveland, but one of the finest in the country, and his efforts have been faithfully seconded by Colonel A. McAllister, the builder. The counter, shelves, and other woodwork are in solid oak, finely carved and polished, and the counter tops are of polished mahogany throughout. Beveled plate mirrors are used with fine effect. The new store was thrown open to the public last evening for the first time, and from 7:30 until a late hour was fairly thronged with visitors, thousands availing themselves of the opportunity to inspect the establishment at their leisure…
The story went on to provide this verbal tour of the store.
Upon the left as you enter is the very extensive confectionery department replenished hourly from their finely equipped factory on the second floor. On the right is the cigar department, a special feature of the business.
Passing along, the visitor notes on the left a unique and exceedingly attractive waiting-room, with cozy seats, tiled fire place, and adjoining toilet-rooms for the use of the ladies. Also a very complete stock of druggists’ sundries. Along the right is a long row of handsome new cans containing full lines of teas, coffees, spices, and farinaceous goods. Through the center of the store are several important departments, each complete in itself. The cracker stock, embracing Kennedy’s goods and many others, is a noteworthy feature. Then comes the vegetable stock, hams and bacon, and a most admirably arranged and perfectly equipped butter and cheese department, with its mammoth glass front cooler. The butter counters, unlike the others, have marble tops. Throughout the store the scales, scoops, candy pans, etc., are all silver plated assuring the utmost cleanliness in everything.
The steady stream of visitors to the candy-making rooms on the second floor found the rows of marble cooling tables covered with choice confections fresh from the kettles, and it was noticed that very few declined the cordial invitation to taste as well as look.
The offices and cashier’s desk are near the rear of the store and easily accessible by stairway. The receiving and delivery department, so arranged that the teams can drive in at one door, load or unload at the platform, and out at another, is a marked improvement. Taken altogether the new store is unquestionably a success both from an artistic and practical point of view, and the Chandler & Rudd Co. cannot fail to largely profit by this exhibition of their enterprise and liberality.
At this point the company’s inventory had grown to such an extent that its catalog of products required a full page of the “Cleveland Leader” on June 11, 1889.
It was also sometime in the late 1880’s that the business incorporated as the Chandler & Rudd Company with Rudd and Chandler serving as president and vice president and their sons serving as secretary and treasurer respectively. The change was reflected in the company’s listing in Cleveland’s 1890/1891 directory.
Several years later, in 1895 George Chandler, along with his son, left Chandler & Rudd to start their own business. Located at 139-141 Euclid Avenue, the announcement appeared in the February 25, 1895 edition of the “Cleveland Press.”
A NEW GROCERY
It will be located in the Big Ohio Building
Cleveland is to have another large grocery store on Euclid Ave., in the new Ohio building. Geo. H. Chandler and his son Geo. N., in company with F. P Rust, will form the principal stockholders. The company is incorporated with a capital of $50,000.
According to a September 30, 1898 “Cleveland Press” story, in addition to a full line of groceries Chandler’s store carried a
splendid variety of wines and liquors for family and medicinal use.
Several internet sources suggest it was Rudd’s refusal to add wine and liquor to the Chandler & Rudd inventory that led to Chandler’s departure.
After Chandler left, the Rudd’s continued to use the Chandler & Rudd name and a September 30, 1898 description of the business in the “Cleveland Press” suggests that the business continued to flourish without the need to sell liquor.
There are five departments, and some 128 employees. While the business is staple and fancy groceries, fruits and vegetables, the candy and baking departments are very important. The former was established in 1885, and has won a phenomenal success, and the latter was organized in 1893 and the results were eminently satisfactory.
Chandler’s business, on the other hand, was short-lived, and four years later he sold out to Chandler & Rudd and retired. The announcement appeared in the December 18, 1899 edition of the “Cleveland Press.”
BUSINESS CHANGE
Chandler & Rudd Have bought out Geo. M. Chandler
The grocery house of Chandler & Rudd have bought the business and stock of Geo. H. Chandler, further up Euclid Ave., and the latter will retire from business. Geo. H. Chandler’s clerks were notified, Wednesday, that the store will be closed Saturday.
Geo. H. Chandler said, Thursday, that he was anxious to get out of business and Chandler & Rudd would take his stock, Jan. 1.
Shortly after the turn of the century Chandler & Rudd added a third store location, this one announced in the June 6, 1902 edition of the “Cleveland Leader.”
FAIRMOUNT STORE
“Opening Day” of the Chandler & Rudd Co.’s New East End Store – Flowers and Music.
The Fairmount Store of the Chandler & Rudd Co. gave an opening yesterday and last evening to acquaint the people of the East End with the beauties and convenience of the new store. It is at 2279 Euclid Avenue, where Messrs. Wood & Co, formerly kept a grocery. But the old store has been remodeled, both outside and inside… Last evening, Miss Dora A. Moody’s mandolin orchestra of eight pieces furnished music; a candy machine in the window pulled molasses candy, to the delight of the children and many older visitors; the candy department, meat department, bakery department, and butter department gave souvenirs in their line to visitors, and the tea and coffee departments gave hot coffee and cream to all who cared to refresh themselves.
It was also around the turn of the century that the company began advertising the concept of a “box lunch.” An advertisement sounding introductory in nature appeared in the June 13, 1904 edition of the “Cleveland Press.” It was headlined:
The ad went on to say:
Last week a party of ladies had a picnic, and when they were talking over the way of providing food someone suggested “a box lunch.” “What’s a box lunch?” was immediately asked, and the explanation was that instead of each one taking something in a basket, a box containing a complete lunch could be taken for each one, and all the work connected with serving the refreshments would be passing the boxes.
This was immediately decided upon. We prepared the lunches, and the ladies were delighted. No hard work devolved on anyone and all had time to enjoy the outing.
We believe that this plan of providing refreshments is going to grow into great favor for both small and large parties, as it makes the entertainment so easy; 25c gets a good lunch – all that many care for, but special things are often ordered, which brings the price higher, sometimes as much as 50c for each one in the party. The same kind of box lunches are put up for the boat or train.
We expect to put out thousands of them this summer for those going to St. Louis.
There are many ways in which these box lunches will be found a great convenience. Any one who entertains can use them at times. We shall talk further about them.
This 1906 advertisement found in a Cleveland Opera program suggests that the concept had certainly caught on by then.
In 1910 the company closed their East End Store on 55th Street and moved to 6000 Euclid Avenue.
The announcement appeared in the November 15, 1910 edition of the “Cleveland Press.”
The announcement included the company’s telephone numbers and the need for their inclusion was explained in the September, 1911 edition of “Bell Telephone News.”
ORDER TABLE TAKES WELL IN CLEVELAND
The Chandler & Rudd Company, Grocers, Employ Sixteen Telephone Salesmen
Sales by telephone have grown to such proportions in Cleveland that enterprising merchants are installing special facilities for handling telephone orders. The equipment of several of the largest retail establishments in the city now includes a special type of order table designed by the engineering department of The Cleveland Telephone Company. It consists of a semi-automatic switchboard which combines a lamp-signaling device and a Type Number Two switchboard for each salesman…
Such a telephone order system was installed late in 1910 in the retail grocery store of the Chandler & Rudd Company, 6000 Euclid Avenue, where it has demonstrated its efficiency to the eminent satisfaction of the manager, Vincent Meakin.
“The installation of the telephone order board has been one of the most profitable innovations ever made by the company,” said Mr, Meakin recently. “We feel that we are pioneers in this direction, and we have been very much gratified at the results…”
“Telephone orders now constitute a large part of our business at this store. The daily averages for the first six months of this service were as follows: December, 1910, 616; January, 1911; 594; February, 646; March, 687; April, 666; May, 637.
Fourteen years after opening the Fairmont location it was lost to a major fire in 1916. The fire was reported like this in the January 20th edition of Akron, Ohio’s “Evening Times.”
Fire starting from an explosion at 10:05 last night destroyed the Chandler & Rudd Co.’s Fairmount store, 10609-11 Euclid Avenue, wiped out five other buildings, damaged a half dozen more and threatened the Hotel Regent and the yards of the Harner-Mead Lumber Co.
At 2 this morning Fire Chief George A. Wallace estimated the total loss of $75,000. He said it was impossible at that hour to accurately apportion the loss, but that the Chandler & Rudd Co., whose buildings and stock were destroyed, sustained by far the greatest portion of the loss.
Over the next 15+ years Chandler & Rudd operated out of their two other locations, 234 Euclid Avenue and 6000 Euclid Avenue. Then on May 28, 1932 a “Cleveland Plain Dealer” item announced the opening of a new branch store.
OPENS HEIGHTS STORE
Chandler & Rudd Co. Proud of New Member of the Chain
Harry D. Simms, president of Chandler & Rudd Co., yesterday announced the opening of a new store for the convenience of Heights shoppers at 2289 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights. It will be the third store operated by Chandler & Rudd.
It has been equipped and decorated according to the latest in food merchandising ideas.
“We are exceptionally proud of this new addition to our family,” Sims said. Every effort has been made to make this a truly delightful place to shop for baked goods, candies nuts and specialties.
The rationale behind the opening of a Cleveland Heights location was addressed several days later in a June 1, 1932 story published in the “Cleveland Press.”
CHANDLER, RUDD TESTS NEW IDEA
Branch Store in Heights May Lead to 100
An experiment that may result in the establishment of as many as 100 neighborhood stores in Greater Cleveland was being introduced today by the Chandler & Rudd Co., now in its 68th year.
Establishment of the firm’s specialty shop, which was formally opened Saturday at 2289 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights, marks a new era in merchandising based on the theory of taking goods to the customer, according to President Harry D. Sims, who has contemplated the idea for sometime.
“We may have 10 or we may have 100 of these stores making our service and merchandise available on our fine baked goods, candies, salted nuts, meats, mayonnaise and other specialties in neighborhoods where they are in demand,” Sims said today.
Deliveries of staple and other items will be continued from our central distributing center at 6000 Euclid Avenue.
The specialties are kept fresh all during the day, Sims explained. Mayonnaise is manufactured every hour and the nut supply is salted and replenished as often, he added.
True to their word, by the fall of 1932, a September 22nd “Cleveland Plain Dealer” story announced that several more locations were in the works.
Further expansion of the Chandler & Rudd Co.’s grocery store system by the addition of the new specialty food shop at 13018 Buckeye Road S.E. on Saturday and several other stores in the near future was announced yesterday by Harry D. Sims, president.
The concern already has established two specialty shops on the Heights at 2289 Lee Road and 3487 Lee Road, in addition to its principal stores at 6000 Euclid Avenue and 234 Euclid Avenue.
Leases for additional units at E. 124th Street and Superior Avenue N.E., 117th Street and Clifton Boulevard N.W., and Shaw and Hayden Avenues, East Cleveland have been signed and work has begun on stores for those locations. All are to be distinguished by their modern fronts of aluminum with red and blue trimmings.
Two years later an October 28, 1934 advertisement in the “Cleveland Plain Dealer” listed a total of nine branch locations in addition to their two primary locations at 234 and 6000 Euclid Avenue.
Not long after the above advertisement was printed it appears that a combination of increasing downtown rental costs, more competition and a change in the shopping habits of their customers brought about a series of organizational changes. The first came in 1936 when a June 25th item in the “Cleveland Plain Dealer” announced that the company was closing their Distributing Center at 6000 Euclid Avenue and centralizing their distribution operations at 234 Euclid Avenue.
This follow-up advertisement appeared in the”Cleveland Plain Dealer” on June 29 1936.
Four years later the 234 Euclid Ave location was closed with the company moving their operation to 1252 Euclid Avenue. The announcement appeared in the January 18, 1940 edition of the “Cleveland Press.”
Formal opening of the new Chandler & Rudd Co. store at 1252 Euclid Avenue, in the Winous Building, will be held Thursday, Heber Harter general manager of the store, announced today.
Around $10,000 was spent for interior remodeling and equipping the store which is “a model modern food store,” Mr. Harter said.
The removal of the store from its former location near Public Square marks the end of a half century of service in the old location. The Chandler & Rudd Co. recently celebrated its 76th year in business…
Around the same time the company began closing some of the branch stores that had been established in the early 1930’s. An auction notice associated with one such closure appeared in the August 11, 1940 edition of the “Cleveland Plain Dealer.”
Eighteen years later most of the branch stores had disappeared and the company’s Euclid Avenue operation was moving again, this time to smaller quarters at 1290 Euclid Avenue, while at the same time increasing the focus on gifts and specialty items. The reasoning behind this latest move was explained in the March 7, 1958 edition of the “Cleveland Press.”
Chandler & Rudd Plans “Gift Shop” on Euclid Ave.
“It became too expensive to have a grocery store on Euclid Ave. Buying habits have changed immensely so that people don’t shop for groceries downtown any more.”
Harry D. Simms president of Chandler & Rudd Co. which has sold groceries downtown since 1864, gave this reason today for the company’s changeover to gift and specialty foods.
Chandler & Rudd is moving into a smaller store at 1290 Euclid Ave., not far from its large grocery store at 1252 Euclid.
The new “gift shop” will handle candy, wines, gifts of fruit, imported delicacies and some health foods and spices and herbs. Chandler & Rudd also operates a supermarket at 20128 Kinsman Rd. Shaker Heights.
The change in focus was reflected in this December 7, 1958 “Cleveland Plain Dealer” ad.
Two years later, the company abandoned downtown Cleveland altogether, moving the operation to their Kinsman Road (renamed Chagrin Blvd in 1959) branch in Shaker Heights. The move was announced in the “Cleveland Plain Dealer” on January 29, 1960.
“It’s tough selling groceries on Euclid Avenue explained Harry D. Sims, Chandler president. “Our sales couldn’t keep up with downtown rents.”
Chandler’s downtown rent was eight to ten times higher than at their Shaker Heights store, 20128 Chagrin Boulevard, where business was better. Sims said Chandler & Rudd will leave its downtown quarters by the end of the month.
It was around this time that the company, long held by the Rudd family sold the business to the company’s produce manager, Fred Marino. Up to this point William C. Rudd, his brother, George and George’s son-in-law, Harry D. Sims all served terms as president.
A December 7, 1964 “Cleveland Press”story celebrating the company’s 100 year anniversary emphasized the fact that Marino continued the company’s focus on specialty foods and gift baskets.
“We at Chandler & Rudd strive to carry the finest foods and meats and fancy trade canned goods. Our steaks for instance, are all prime beef and we are among the few places left who will prepare such gourmet cuts as crown roast of pork or lamb.”
Two areas of exceptionally strong growth for the concern is its packaging of gourmet food gift baskets and boxes and its burgeoning catering services.
“We custom pack a great many baskets and boxes of foods to order for industrial and commercial concerns and individuals”
The story also confirmed that telephone orders and delivery schedules remained a big part of the business plan.
Twice a week a delivery truck from the Chandler & Rudd Co. leaves its store in Shaker Heights and heads across the city to the West Side to deliver groceries. Some of the people who receive these orders have been dealing with the firm for many years, but have never seen the inside of the store…
Since 1910 the store has had a telephone ordering system – still a strong point today. Deliveries are made three times daily in the Heights area, and twice a week outside the area….
Marino, and later, his son, Fred Marino, Jr., ran the business until it ultimately closed in 2009. A November 15, 2009 “Cleveland Plain Dealer” story described the issues faced by the company at the time it was closed down.
…Lately, requests for both Chandler’s signature gift baskets and specialty foods have dried up as companies cut back on thank you gifts and families buy their groceries elsewhere.
“The larger supermarkets have the gas promotions, their offers of 10 items for $10,” Fred said.
“The BJ’s and Sam’s Clubs of the world, they’re selling things for less than what we’re buying them for…” Carrying staples such as cereal, cleaning supplies and vegetables helped tide them over, but they couldn’t buy in enough quantities to keep prices low.
The “Plain Dealer” story went on to provide the final chapter in the company’s history , a history that began in 1864 (if you count the Jones, Potter years).
Specialty grocery Chandler & Rudd Co. built its business by catering to affluent customers and surprising them with imported delicacies they couldn’t get anywhere else. But owners Ruta and Fred Marino’s reputation for exemplary customer service and incredible attention to detail ultimately couldn’t compete with the larger chain supermarkets in an especially brutal recession. On Nov. 2, after 145 storied years in the food business, the Marino’s gathered their seven employees, handed out paychecks and told them it was over. “We came to the conclusion that it just wasn’t working for us anymore,” Fred Marino said. We were putting too much money into the store to keep it afloat. It was becoming increasingly difficult to be competitive with the larger markets because of their buying power.” The Marino’s gave their bread, produce, milk and other perishables to the City Mission, turned off the lights and put a “Closed” sign on the door…