The Clarkes Mercantile Traditional Cache

The historic store setting on the corner of Butte and Beavercreek Roads has an interesting past. At one time or another in the history of the store, besides shopping for groceries, dry goods, animal feed and the basic necessities, the community was able to enjoy many other social activities and local services. The store has offered itself out as a voting location, Sunday school, for grange meetings, a dance hall, for hunter safety classes and has even had professional ladies work out of the store’s upper floor.

Many different folks have had their hands in changing the many faces of the store. Brief histories of those that have owned and operated the store and that have made the store what it is today follows:

Edward McIntyre (1852 – 1931) was the father of Edward McIntyre Jr., the original proprietor of the store. Edward Sr. was born in Iowa and came West with his parents in 1858 where they first settled in California. From 1891 the family lived in Clarkes. The store and surrounding out buildings were built in 1925. According to county records, E. T. McIntyre built and operated McIntyre’s Mercantile in 1925. At that time, Beavercreek Road was a wood plank road and very lightly traveled. Edward McIntyre Jr. owned one of the few Ford Model T pick-ups in the area. For his trips to Oregon City and Portland, many locals would have him pick up needed supplies for their homesteads. Tools, fencing wire and staples such as flour, sugar, coffee, tobacco and spices were probably all on his list. On those long, arduous trips to town, no doubt, is when Edward McIntyre developed his plans for the community general store. Ed and Marie McIntyre started and then ran the general store from 1925 until 1946.

Walter Dethlefs bought the store in 1946 and sold Miller Tires, a few other auto parts, and hardware items. He also sold feed in the shed next door and ran Shell Gasoline out front. He sold the store to Don DeBoer in 1953 upon the suggestion of Don’s wife who worked at the store for Walter.

Don and Margaret DeBoer took over the store in 1953 and ran it until 1971. It was Don DeBoer who added a lot of hardware inventory in the store. Don switched out the hand pumped gasoline pumps for all electric models.

Paul and Martha Elliot took over in 1971, ran it for two years before selling it in 1973 to their relatives, Clarence and Kathy Elliot. At that time the store took on the name Elliot’s Market. Kathy Elliot, seeing an opportunity to bring in more city folks, added antiques to the offering. They sold in 1988.

In December 1988 Richard and Dodie MacKenzie bought the property and ran it as Maverick’s County Store until 1993 when they closed it up. The store sat empty and boarded up until 1995.

In 1995, two couples took on the project of resurrecting the business. Mike and Kim Tomas along with Jim and Tina Taylor put much work into rebuilding, cleaning, and fixing up the property and buildings before opening to the public as a general store, deli, and feed store. They also resurrected and old name from the past and called it Ol’ Clarkes Mercantile.

In 1997 the store was again sold, this time to Mark and Lorri Petterson. The Petterson’s changed the name to Petterson’s Grocery and Feed. In late 2003 they remodeled the feed store into restaurant and called it a Sports Deli. Mark and Lorri also dabbled in nursery items, Christmas trees and antiques.

Another change took place in June of 2004 when Robert and Mary Finke purchased the store and then renamed it Clarkes General Store & Eatery. Like all of the owners before them, Robert and Mary put their mark on things by adding and changing things. Espresso was added and a more complete menu was developed for the Eatery. Jewelry, t-shirts, posters and gift items were added. Keeping with history and the social impact of the store, regular events are planned and held upstairs and in the Eatery for the benefit of the community. Open Mic Night, for one, has turned into a local favorite and gives much entertainment and an opportunity for budding musicians and artists alike. Yoga classes are offered once again, putting use to the upstairs. Handmade soaps and lotions are made on site and offered to the community for sale as a way to return to a more local farmer’s market approach versus mass produced goods.

If you are enjoying Caching in the Estacada area, why not consider doing the 2010 Estacada Chamber of Commerce Geocoin Challenge. Go to GC29XDE and read all about it!!

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