THE WAUPACA COUNTY POST

January 14, 1993

 

WHEN THEN WAS NOW

By Wayne A. Guyant

 

            Louis (Louie) A. Larson and Son were still operating a grocery store in the building that was located at 111 North Main Street in Waupaca in 1904.  The newspaper notice dated September 19, 1904, made mention that Charles A. Yorkson and Louie A. Larson were soon to become partners in handling a first class line of gents’ furnishings and shoes.  Mr. Yorkson had completed many years in the employ of Ing. Ovrom in the clothing field.

            Mr. Larson, the notice said, expected to close out his entire grocery stock by January 1, 1905, and the building was to be calcimined (a painting process), the partitions taken out and several other improvements made for the new business.

            In the year of 1907 the firm of Yorkson and Larson dissolved partnership after two years of successful business, but the business continued under the same policy under the name of Charles A. Yorkson and Company, until in June of 1911 when J.E. Cristy purchased the complete stock of men’s and boy’s clothing and furnishings from Charles A. Yorkson and Company.

            Mr. Cristy began at once to put the stock in shape for a sale.  Mr. Cristy then moved what stock remained after the sale to his stores in New London and Waupaca.

            This information is taken from the Waupaca Record for September 21, 1911.  George P. Drivas and his brother opened up the Candy Kitchen in the building recently vacated by Chas. A. Yorkson Clothing Store. The young men came here from Antigo and, the paper said, have opened up a very clean attractive place of business.  They will make homemade candies, their specialty, and will handle confections, fruit, cigars and ice cream.

            In 1904 when only 16 year of age, young George Peter Drivas left his native Greece and arrived in New York City where an uncle lived.  This uncle did not have any children of his own, and wanted to adopt George.

            The adoption never took place, but young George Drivas stayed and worked for five years for his uncle in the import and export business.  George did not care much for New York City, and left for Glad-stone, Mich., where another uncle lived and owned a candy store.  After working here in the candy store for several years he felt that he had learned enough about the candy business that he could strike out on his own.

            James P. Drivas did come to America, and Waupaca, and together they opened up a candy store and ice cream store in 1911, at 111 North Main Street.  They worked hard and prospered, and wanted to share their good fortune with another member of their family.  Angelos Peter Drivas, another brother, then only 16 years old in 1912, left the mountains of his native Greece, and came to Waupaca to join his two brothers.

            Angelos arrived in America not knowing a word of English.  In New York he was met by other relatives who put him on a train for Waupaca.  They pinned a sign on him with instructions that he should be put off at Waupaca, Wis.

            Angelos was anxious to begin working for his brothers, but George wanted him to go to school.  He offered him $20 a month pay if he would go to school in addition to working in the store.  On the other hand, if Angelos decided not to go to school, he would get only $10 a month.

            It was a difficult time for Angelos, as he knew no English.  He was teased and picked on by his schoolmates to the point that he dropped out of school to learn on his own.  He now started working full time for his brother George in the store.  It was not too long before George decided to pay Angelos $20 a month, because he was doing such a good job.

            The three brothers worked together until the advent of World War I.

            Angelos volunteered for service in May 1917 in the Waupaca State Guards.  He was a private in Battery E, 121^st Heavy Artillery.  He completed his basic training, but due to a disability, he was discharged before he saw active duty.  Meanwhile, his brother, George, also enlisted in the Army.  George P. Drivas died of the influenza, October 6, 1918.

            He had never married, but left behind not only his two brothers, James and Angelos in Waupaca, but three brothers with the Greek Patriot Army under General Venizelos in Greece. Also another brother and three sisters still in Greece.

            George Peter Drivas left a will.  This can be found in the Waupaca County Courthouse in volume E, page 289, document number 2251, in the wills.  Te will states that his property goes to his parents, Peter G. and Maria Drivas, of Horion Richea, Demon Zayakos, Greece.

            During the time that George and Angelos were serving time in the Army, the candy store was closed, which left brother James jobless.  James found work on a farm for the time.  When Angelos returned home, he reopened the candy store.  After a couple of years Angelos had saved enough money so he could buy the store property, as they had been renting up until this time.  In the register of deeds office here in Waupaca County in Warranty Deeds volume 150, page 99, is the purchase made by Angelos P. Drivas from Louis A. and Louise D. Larson, the North 21 feet of lot 3, Block H, dated March 10, 1920.

            He tore down the old store and built the building that stands today; it was renamed the “Waupaca Candy Kitchen.”

            While on a trip to Chicago at Christmastime, 1922, Angelos met Katherine Melches, whom he married the following year.  They lived for many years over the Waupaca Candy Kitchen.

            They became the parents of three children: George P., Peter A. and a daughter, Maria.  In 1923, Tom Karavakis, who was a Greek friend of Angelos Drivas, became a partner in the business.

            The Waupaca Candy Kitchen became a popular place for the young folks to gather for a Coke, malt or a soda.  This was also true of the theatre patrons.  It was a place to go for refreshments before going home.

            Here is an interesting account on the amount of ice cream consumed in Waupaca and the Chain o’ Lakes in the month of July 1916.  The Waupaca Record Leader, dated August 3, 1916:  “Our dealers tell us that over 2,000 gallons were consumed.  Wm. Olson is one of our large producers. The Waupaca Ice Cream Company is a new concern; the Drivas Bros. have an excellent trade, and the Star Bakery has a nice trade.”

            In 1952 several changes were made at the Waupaca Candy Kitchen and drug store. The interior underwent extensive remodeling. All new shelving and a showcase were added, the ceiling was painted and 16 fluorescent lights were installed.

            It was then that George Drivas, son of Angelos and Katherine Drivas, became the new proprietor. George had graduated from the University of Wisconsin School of Pharmacy in 1950.  After then he was employed at pharmacies in Eau Claire and LaCrosse before coming to Waupaca to open up a new Rexall Drug Store.

            In the Waupaca County Post dated December 4, 1952, there is a full-page ad:  “Drivas Pharmacy Grand Opening of our new super Rexall Drug Store.  Formerly the Waupaca Candy Kitchen, 111 North Main Street.”

            Tom Karavakis retired the following year, and Angelos Drivas became semi-retired as he continued to keep in contact with the daily business.  Many people refuse to retire and give up, but prefer to stay active as long as possible.

            After Peter (Pete) Drivas, also a son of Angelos and Katherine Drivas, was discharged from the Army, he bought into the business with his brother, George, which continued until the last day of February 1991 when the Drivas Rexall Drug Store closed its doors forever.  This ended nearly 80 years of business at this location under the Drivas name.

            On May 2, 1991, George P. and Peter A. Drivas sold the property to Lanae M. Janda and Thomas Carroll.  After a complete renovation and a couple of months time, the building became the Gateway Real Estate office.