Union City in Branch County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Chivas & Jack's Grocery
Union City Heritage Water Trail
In August of 1966, Arnold “Jack” and Rosemary Shaffer purchased from Mae and Blanche Miller & Ray Chivas Chivas Grocery, which had stood on this corner for more than 30 years with a barbershop on the 2nd floor. Whitlock Shoes occupied the building to the east during the 1960s. In 1969, Jack’s expanded into the cabinet shop next door, doubling their space before moving uptown in 1973. The site became Siler’s Sports in 1979, remaining that way for 36 years. Feel free to pull out at Riverview Park just ahead and walk across to friendly Jack’s Family Grocery, still owned by the Shaffer family, for a cold drink and snacks.
Erected 2016. (Marker Number 13.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Michigan - Union City Heritage Water Trail series list. A significant historical month for this entry is August 1966.
Location. 42° 3.943′ N, 85° 8.054′ W. Marker is in Union City, Michigan, in Branch County. This marker is on private property please do not attempt to access it by trespassing on foot. It is meant to be viewed by paddling the St. Joseph River as part of the Union City Heritage Water Trail. It is on the south bank of the river just west of the Broadway Bridge in the south end of the Union City business district. It can be seen from the Broadway Bridge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Union City MI 49094, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Riverside Hotel, Duo Coach & UCI (within shouting distance of this marker); Caille Richards Company (within shouting distance of this marker); The Broadway Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); First Fire Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Titlow House & Parachute Factory (within shouting distance of this marker); The Flood of 1908 & Broadway Bridge "Island" (within shouting distance of this marker); Riverview Park (within shouting distance of this marker); The St. Joe Tavern & The Bucket (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Union City.
More about this marker. There are 28 of these markers comprising the Union City Heritage Water Trail on the Coldwater River and the St. Joseph River launched in 2016 for the village's Sesquicentennial. These markers can be viewed by paddling the 5 mile stretch of river from the JP Palmer Launch in the Village of Union City to the Riley Dam on the SW Corner of Union Lake. Most of these markers CANNOT by accessed by foot as they are on private property along the river. Please do not trespass. More details can be found at www.uchwt.com
Credits. This page was last revised on April 9, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 16, 2016, by Val Rossman of Union City, Michigan. This page has been viewed 314 times since then and 6 times this year. Last updated on June 17, 2016, by Val Rossman of Union City, Michigan. Photo 1. submitted on June 16, 2016, by Val Rossman of Union City, Michigan. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. View of marker in context. • Can you help?