TOMCHAK GROCERY AND TAVERN Morning Star, February 20, 2026, pg. 5 We continue this week by featuring another abandoned structure along what was known as "Hunkytown" in the early 20th century along Austin Avenue. Many of these businesses were operated by immigrants from Russia, Poland, Italy, and other countries who came to Albion to work at the Albion Malleable Iron Company. Workers at the Malleable lived in company housing on the present site of McAuliffe Park, called the "Foreign settlement," or on streets adjacent to Austin Avenue. They would walk to work and purchase necessities at these businesses on their way home, or stop at one of the taverns or pool halls. One well-known place was Tomchak's Grocery, Pool Hall and Tavern at 612 Austin Avenue, operated by Michael Tomchak (1892-1947). Mike was a native of Leskova, near Kyiv in the Ukraine. He came to the United States in 1911, and to Albion in 1913. As was the case with many immigrants, Mike originally worked as a laborer at the Albion Malleable Iron Company. He opened a neighborhood grocery and dry goods store where various necessities such as meat, milk, bread, and other items could be purchased. He even sold shoes there at one time. In the east portion of the building was a pool/recreation hall which became a popular gathering place that evolved into Tomchak's Tavern at the start of World War II. The grocery on the west side of the building was thereby discontinued. Mike died suddenly in 1947, and the tavern was continued by his widow Katherine (1911-2002). She was also native of the Kyiv area. Katie operated the tavern through the 1960s and sponsored area bowling and softball teams. The business was sold in the early 1970s and became the Paramount Lounge. Later it became the Adkins Lounge, which was one of the final businesses that remained opened along this stretch of Austin Avenue. From our Historical Notebook this week we present an August 18, 1939 photograph of the Tomchak Grocery (left) and Pool Hall (right) at 612 Austin Avenue. The painted window states, "Groceries and Meats," "Ice Cold Beer To Take Out," and "Salada Tea." Painted on the left side of the building is a classic Mail Pouch Tobacco sign, with the name of "Mike Tomchak" at the top near the roof, and "CANDY, CIGARETTES, CIGARS and POP" below. Also pictured is an October 3, 2025 photo of the same building for comparison. August 18, 1939 October 3, 2025 Next: PROUTY LOCKS ARE COLLECTOR'S ITEMS Back to the Top of this Page All text copyright, 2026 © all rights reserved Frank Passic  |  Artwork copyright Maggie LaNoue © 2026 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 Michigan Prints by Maggie LaNoue Michigan Prints offers limited-edition archival Giclée prints, miniprints, notecards and boxed sets featuring Michigan landmarks, nature, resorts and nostalgia. Each print and card includes a legend on the back with stories about Michigan history. Albion scenes include the Kalamazoo River waterfall and the Blizzard of 1978. Find Michigan Prints online and at local shops. 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