THE MERCANTILE ANCHORS HISTORIC NINTH STREET PARK BY APRIL DIERKING

THE MERCANTILE ANCHORS HISTORIC NINTH STREET PARK BY APRIL DIERKING - First published in The Metropolitan on March 6, 1992

Anchoring historic Ninth Street Park with its solid red brick walls and ornate interior wood trim, 906 Curtis stands as a monument to American commercial architecture.

Built in 1906 by architect F. C. Eberly, the building was the corner grocery store where Albert B. Groussman and his wife, Belle, lived and worked. It continues serving residents today as The Mercantile restaurant.

"Two of the hallmarks of American commercial architecture, the detail of brick work and its red coloration, are found at 906 Curtis," a walking
tour map of Ninth Street Historic Park says.

The Groussmans were the first occupants of the building, but not the last. The Olona family lived in the house during the early '50s.

Looking back at it now, Peggy Olona said in an interview with Sara Milmoe, a CCD honors program student, "I wonder how a family of seven or eight,
with my parents, lived there?"

In describing the Groussman house, Olona said there were about four bedrooms, and a couple of them had "great big" closets.

"It was a comical-looking closet that went from the living room into a bedroom," she said, describing one closet.

It has been said that the foundation is made of earthquake-proof sandstone.

Today, The Mercantile basement has an espresso bar and seating. On the main floor is the kitchen and cashier stands. The second floor has seating and restrooms.

Another place to sit, eat or just talk is the court, a patio located just behind the building.