Originally a gas station, now Mike Schuler's Auto Repair Shop.

   
Across the street was the Royal Blue store owned by Robert Kalus and then Otto Kristufek and is now Union Pier Produce.  The butcher shop, managed by Paul Linhart, featured kosher meats.  Also on that strip in the late 30’s was a delicatessen owned by John D. Giacomo.  The ice cream tables line the building and people swarmed in for kosher corned beef sandwiches and ice cream sodas.  This later became a beauty shop owned by Rose Lysy Konvalinka.  It also housed the Post Office for a few years and is now the G & K Part Store.  And how can we forget the fruit market owned by Rube and Lil Zaritsky.  Today that shop is held by Ramberg’s Bakery.  Across the little dirt lane was where all the delicious bakery goods were made by the Kaufman family.  Around the corner from the Royal Blue store on Red Arrow was the Schnabl Restaurant.  It was a very well known restaurant know for its Czech food.  Beyond the Sea, now a restaurant, was one of the local stores that went way back and was owned by Corrigan family.  It also housed the Post office for a time along with a retail business owned by the Charles Waaso family.  When the Corrigan’s sold the store in the 40’s stock was found in it that dated back to World War 1.  Around the corner on Goodwin Avenue was a large dance hall called the White Palace.  This had one of the best dance floors in the area.  Name bands from Chicago would come to play.  In the 40’s, Jitterbug dance contests would be held.  The country kids always marveled at the expertise of the Chicago kids.  It was later sold to Frank Bard who placed mobile homes on the property.  The dance hall has been torn down and the trailers removed.  Lakeshore Road was also the home of two Synagogues.  They are still standing but are now private homes.  We must not forget the Redfront Store owned by Mrs. Kramer.  What a lovely lady.

Union Pier's first school house .

Ben Bernfeld and Oscar Proetz (who owned the White Palace) were also painters and decorators.  All the cottages and hotels were kept spic and span with their painting, wall papering, and cleaning.  These were the depression years and they were probably paid 35 cents per hour.  The Kahn family also had many enterprises going – cottages, a deli and market on Lakeshore Road and also one on Union Pier Road.

One of the busiest places on week-ends was the Kopack’s Variety Store.  Fathers would bring their children in for toys and beach supplies and the sky was the limit as far as price went.  Across from the Bowling Alley was Gilman’s Bar and Goldman’s Bar & Grille.  Where Topp Press is today, there was a gas station and garage owned by Paul and Gus Ondrus.  George Ghareeb bought out the business in the early 40’s and then from there in the early 70’s bought the Konvalinka Insurance Agency.

Initially the Candlelight Cottage, now Nadra Real Estate