ALBION PAINT SPOT ONCE NEXT TO BOHM THEATRE

With the restored Bohm Theatre being touted as the centerpiece of the "new Albion," it is hoped that the elegance, class, charm, and business will radiate outwards throughout the downtown—especially next door. Usually properties adjacent to prominent landmarks or businesses or museums bear a premium price tag because of their prime location and the potential "overflow" business opportunities. The building at 119 S. Superior St. adjacent (north) to the Bohm Theatre could be one such location.

In the early years of the 20th century this building was occupied by Smith & Lathwell, a local tailoring and cleaning establishment. It operated into the 1930s, at which time Edward Kiessling established his Jewelry Store & Watch repair here. It remained here into the mid-1950s and closed under the name of Daniels Jewelry.

In the spring of 1955 the façade was remodeled with a sandstone base and a "walk in" display area to the front door. That entranceway remains the same today in 2014 as it did 59 years ago in 1955. The Albion Paint Spot replaced the jewelry store, and a Grand Opening was held on June 17th and 18th, 1955. Owner of the business of course was Larry Merrild. In their large advertisement in the Albion Evening Recorder, the first thing the ad stated was: "119 S. Superior St…Next to the Bohm Theatre." The ad continued; "A New Kind of Service for Albion. We’re really anxious to know the people in our newly chosen town. We sincerely hope we can serve you."

From our Historical Notebook this week we present a 1955 Grand Opening photograph of the Albion Paint Spot at 119 S. Superior St. (next to the Bohm Theatre, of course). On the right is the "fire escape" exit door of the Bohm. We wonder what type of business would be successful today next door to a thriving downtown theatre? How many businesses in Albion will now be using the Bohm as a reference location when advertising? The Albion Paint Spot did, and they are still in business today, nearly sixty years later at 118 N. Superior St., having moved there in the early 1970s. How many of our readers remember the Albion Paint Spot at their original 119 S. Superior St. location next to the Bohm Theatre?

	Frank Passic — Albion Historian An Albion native and 1971 graduate of Albion High School, Frank Passic has been researching and writing Albion history since 1976. He is the creator of the Albion Historical Notebook, with hundreds of articles appearing weekly in the Morning Star and The Recorder. Frank maintains an extensive personal archive including Riverside Cemetery records, family surname files, genealogies, photographs, city directories, and high school yearbooks. Support his 2026 research at the Historic Albion Michigan Facebook page. Historical Notebook \| From the Archives \| Subject List \| 100 Years Ago \| Alphabetical Index \| Frank Passic Home Page \| Albion History Books \| Contact Frank
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