A 1976 photograph of the Umholtz Grocery Store, 338 Market Street, Williamstown, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. The store is located in the old Seybert Church building.
The following history of the business was presented in the Williamstown Sesquicentennial Book, 1826-1926:
On February 12, 1972, Donald Ward Umholtz and his wife Edith V. [Bowerman] Umholtz purchased the grocery business from the estate of Harold Vogel. The business, located at 339 W. Market Street, was operated by Edith while Ward still worked for Glen-Gery Brick Corporation at Reading, Pennsylvania.
The business increased to the extent that it warranted a larger space. Ward Umholtz decided to purchase the vacant Seybert Church across the street. on September 3, 1973, the Umholtz’s bought the church. They renovated the interior, removed the two windows in front, and changed the wooden door to a double glass door. They added to their equipment two frozen food cases, an upright dairy case, larger produce cases, a new meat case to the extent of changing from the small corner store to a superette. Umholtz grocery store opened at 338 Market Street on December 1, 1973.
In August 1974 Ward left the brick company to help manage the business. They belong to the United Associated Grocers, Inc., Robesonia, Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania Grocers Association. They have three employees: Pauline Clifford, Nicky Zerby and Shirley Malick.
Donald W. Umholtz, born August 12, 1925 in Williamstown, is the son of Bertha [Walhay] Umholtz and Norman Umholtz. He graduated from Williamstown High School and served in the U. S. Navy in World War II. He is a member of the Shuttlesworth-Radel-Shammo Post No. 239 and Palmer F. Strausser V. F. W. Post No. 6497.
Edith [Bowerman] Umholtz was born August 12, 1925, the daughter of Virginia Bowerman and Charles Bowerman. She graduated from Williamstown High School, and was a member of the 1943 National Honor Society. She is a member of the American legion and President of the V. F. W. Auxiliary.
The Umholtz’s have three children: Ronald W. Umholtz, married to Donna Angelolff, and live at York, Pennsylvania; Russel W. Umholtz, married to Sharon Souder, and live at Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania; a daughter, Diane E. Umholtz, married to Mark Kologi, living in New York City, New York.
The Umholtz’s live at Route 209, Williamstown, Pennsylvania.
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