His and Her Hobbies

Name of Building or Business:  Grocery Store later His and Her Hobbies

Address: 15 W. Busse

Built: Circa 1935

Demolished:  2006

What is currently at that address:  Nothing

This building was originally constructed with a classic Art Deco façade of black and white glazed tiles. This probably was the most modern building in Mount Prospect when it was built. The property that this building sits on was originally the garden behind the Meyn family’s home and blacksmith shop. It is possible that a member of the Meyn family built this building as an extension or modernization of the William Meyn Associated Grocery store which stood next door. The building did originally serve as a grocery store and was tied into the Busse Block Business District.

The building later had its façade modified twice. The reason for the first modification is not known, although it was much less severe than the second modification. In the late 1950s the original art deco glazed tile façade was covered with irregular flat stones. While this covered the black and white tiles, the building still maintained a similar structural appearance. However, this style did not last long and the building’s façade was again changed in 1984. This new façade radically changed the architectural style of the building, placing half timber frame construction along the outside, adding an artificial sloped roof line and an off centered peaked façade. This new look for the building was designed by an architectural firm hired by the village of Mount Prospect and a portion of the construction costs of this renovation were paid by the village through the Façade Improvement Program, an aspect of the downtown plan of 1983. For many years, this building was home to His and Her Hobbies, an independent, locally-owned craft and hobby store.