5501-5507 Chene Street
Anthony Conus Saloon, Lincoln Hall, Szynkarek Saloon, Aurora Hall, Central Stores, Mazurka Club, Sandomierski & Son Supermarket, Central Outfitting Company, Ideal Supermarket
5501-5507 Chene Street, similar to most buildings of its age, has worn many hats over the years. However, unlike most commercial buildings in Poletown East, this one still stands.
The structure was built around 1907 for Anthony Conus. It housed his saloon and the Lincoln Hall, which had dancing and meeting space. Branch No. 4 of the Polish Falcons and other ethnic groups hosted events here and was a hangout for Poles in the neighborhood. Anthony ‘Tony’ Conus was the proprietor until around 1913, when John S. Bergerowski’s name was on the books. In 1914, Walter and Agnes Szynkarek purchased the property.
The Szynkarek’s were married in South Bend, Indiana, in 1904. Using their savings, they were able to open a blacksmith shop. They both worked in the shop until they could save enough money to buy a farm in South Bend. After saving even more money, they moved to Wyandotte and opened a store. Business was good—so they opened a saloon in that same city. By 1914, they had earned enough cash to purchase the building pictured here, and Walter, Agnes, and their daughter, Genevieve, moved to Detroit.
By 1915, Lincoln Hall had changed its name to Aurora Hall and was still hosting events for Polish groups and was a popular hangout spot. In 1918, with prohibition in full swing, a load of Polish wine and other liquors was raided from the structure. In 1921, 36 men were arrested at the Aurora Hall for gambling. When police entered the building, men hid everywhere—under tables, in the corner, etc.
Starting around 1923, Agnes believed that Walter was seeing another woman. “After he met her I seldom saw him. He came home late and left early,” the Detroit Free Press reported. Agnes continued the marriage for their daughter’s sake; however, when Walter told Genevieve that she had to move out because he didn’t have the money to support her, Agnes decided to file for divorce. She couldn’t take the idea that Walter could help another woman but not his own daughter.
According to the Detroit Free Press in October 1925, Walter said, “We have agreed to forget the past, and I have been living at home…We do not expect any more trouble.” However, the article indicates that the suit was still being filed.
After prohibition ended, Walter Szynkarek operated a beer garden at their building at the corner of Chene and Ferry. In 1937, Walter was attacked, robbed, and threatened with torture when returning home. Four men stole $85 from him, ransacked his home, and slugged his daughter when she returned home. It’s unclear whether any of the men were ever caught. Agnes was not mentioned in the newspaper article.
By 1935, Central Stores was utilizing one of the spaces inside the structure. They sold washers, radios, and other electronics. According to an ad in the Detroit Free Press, they had more than 200 used demonstrators and floor samples for sale at their stores. In addition to their location at Chene and Ferry, Central Stores operated on Michigan, West Vernor, Mack, Gratiot, and Jefferson.
I’m unsure when, but the Mazurka Club was open inside the structure by 1940. The establishment featured a ‘gay continental atmosphere,’ Polish fare, and a string orchestra every night. It should be noted that this was gay in the old sense—meaning happy, joyful, or carefree; the word didn’t take on another meaning until the 1950s and 1960s, at least in the mainstream. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, mazurka is a “Polish folk dance for a circle of couples, characterized by stamping feet and clicking heels and traditionally danced to the music of a village band.”
I believe the Szynkarek family opened the Mazurka Club. At some point, it was sold or operated by Bernard Trokey—an interesting man who liked to place weird ads in the newspaper.
In 1946, he posted an ad that read, “Due to lack of business caused by severe unemployment in Detroit and shortage of beer, I have been forced to operate the Mazurka Night Club at 5505 Chene only 3 days a week for the past few weeks. My employees need more money, so I have decided to share one half of my profit, if any, with my employees this week to help keep the wolf away from their door. Business men, Industrialists, Public, here is food for thought.” At the bottom, he signed his name. Trokey wouldn’t be involved much longer.
In 1952, Edward Sandomierski purchased the property and opened Sandomierski & Son Supermarket. Known for their fine cuts of meat and friendly service, the operation is well-known by former residents of Poletown East. Sandomierski previously opened Chene Trombley Market, which is still operational today. He sold the business at Chene and Ferry in 1969 and operated the Cox Waterproofing Corporation for a quarter-century. He passed away on September 20, 2001.
In the 1960s, Central Outfitting Company may have rented space at the building. They sold electronics and were advertised as selling Philco model televisions ‘of the future.’
In the 1970s, Ideal Supermarket moved into the building and remained there until its dying day. Originally a full-fledged grocery store, over the years, like many corner stores, it transitioned to selling more booze and less produce. The business, later known as just the Ideal Market, had ‘Liquor, Beer, Wine, Check Cashing, Money Orders, Lotto, and EBT Cards’ painted across the Chene Street side.
Around 2012, the structure had a bad fire. I recall riding by as recently as five years ago and looking through the upper windows to see blue skies—indicating that the roof was long gone. However, since then, the structure has been somewhat stabilized. There may be a roof in place, the windows have been boarded up, and most of the graffiti has been buffed over.
In 2014, the structure was sold for just $1,000 to JDK Investments. You might recognize that name if you’ve followed this page for a while. This structure is owned, or at the least highly affiliated with, Dennis Kefallinos. I believe that JDK stands for Julian D Kefallinos, Dennis’ son.
Today, many investors have a hand in property in Poletown East. There’s more vacant land here than in most neighborhoods this close to downtown, so I expect they’re playing the long game with the property, hoping it’ll be worth millions someday.
Despite a nasty reputation for crime from decades ago, I’ve found the neighborhood one of the quietest to explore in Detroit over the past near-decade. Whenever I encounter people there, they’re kind and willing to answer my questions about buildings and history.
While photographing this structure, a man approached me, asking for a ride. He had just left Peacemakers International down the street and didn’t know where he was or how to get closer to his home in Plymouth.
On the ride, he said he did not quarrel with the Peacemakers; it just wasn’t for him. He was clad with multiple rosaries and well-dressed but, unfortunately, declined to have his picture taken before we hit the road. He told me about his kids and a grandchild that he had and that he was excited to see them again.
Throughout the conversation, he kept harping on the fact that he couldn’t seem to stop messing up. I’m fairly socially awkward, so I told him about a few times I’d screwed up in recent years. I wasn’t sure whether that was helpful or detrimental to his current state of mind, so we just listened to the radio for a while.
I couldn’t get him all the way to Plymouth out of fear of being late for work; however, he was happy to make it to Redford because he had friends there.
I had put off documenting this structure for ages. There wasn’t any real reason for it other than the fact that I had no connection to it. It’s a stunning structure with a detailed history that paints a picture of what Poletown East was and how it transformed into what it is now, but honestly, I’ll always think of my new friend when I pass it by.
Hopefully, this one is saved from the wrecking ball.
