Page 6 - FINAL EARLY SPRING 2019 SWHS Newsletter

side of First Street housed the Hunziker of another addition on the site of the
Brothers General Store from 1914 to former Yeomen building completed
1916. Over the years it became home to the Star Store. It constitutes the largest
a number of stores until it was demol- general store in Langley today.
ished in 1970.
Joseph Primavera purchased a small
bakery next to the Yeoman Building
in 1922 and opened the first Star Store
on First Street. Named for a brand of
The Pioneer Store shoes, the Star Store initially featured
A small store (shown above on left leather goods. Groceries and house-
side) was added to the large hotel on hold items were added later.
the N.W. side of the intersection of An- An addition in 1929, a remodel on the
thes Avenue and First Street by owner original store in 1933, and construction Circa 1922
Arie Kuiper (pronounced “Cooper” by
locals) Called the “Pioneer Store,” it
featured “Groceries, Drugs and Hard-
ware.”
When the hotel burned in 1921, the
contents of the store were saved and
taken to Mr. Kuiper’s mercantile in the
former livery stable up First Street.

Yeomen Building and Star Store
A two-story structure built by the
Brotherhood of Yeomen on the south

The Star Mercantile Store in 1923 with
Martina Primavera standing out front. u

The Star Mercantile Store in 1929
with Joseph Primavera, his wife Mar-
tina, and son Vic standing out front.
The original store is shown here on
the right. In 1933 it was removed and
an addition was added.

6