Arcade

Third St. entrance to the Arcade, 1909

The Newark Arcade, also called the Arcade Mini Mall, is located between Third and Fourth Streets in downtown Newark. It was formally opened on June 7, 1909, and was one of only eight glassed-in shopping centers in Ohio. The original space was a collection of livery stables, buildings, and storage sheds that Arcade Realty, a “group of distinguished businessmen" that included Carl Weiant, F. Kennedy, Charles Spencer, E.T. Rugg, and Harry and John Swisher. They purchased the site and redesigned with architect Carl E. Howell.

Development and Construction

Detail of 1912 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map of Newark Ohio that shows details of the Arcade. From Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, Sanborn Maps Collection

It took over 9 months to acquire the property and set the locations of the many stores. The announcement of the Arcade project was printed in the Advocate on October 25th, 1907. “Arcade Realty Co. Of Newark with capital of $200,000 is incorporated in Ohio today. Enterprise means a fine new business street in the shopping center of this city “. E.K. Hibbs was the contractor and builder for the Arcade and began razing old buildings, including the Livery and feed, on July 1, 1908 to make room for new construction. They spared no expense on creating the arcade. George Vogelmeier completed the excavation to prepare for construction under E.K. Hibbs. The concrete done by Kahn at the entrance made for an eye-catching entrance. Licking Light and Power installed poles in the alley, providing electricity to the site. Due to the large scale of the project and the many workers needed, the Arcade construction was not without accidents; on September 4, 1908, William McConnell was digging out old walls when one collapsed, narrowly missing William. The man laughed, stating …” he almost met a certain death” had he not jumped back in time. Sadly, a steel beam fell onto Walter Ford and Rufus Porter—two of the workers—cutting Walter’s leg so severely that it had to amputated, while Rufus had a severe cut on his head. Both were transported by Bowers and McCaments Ambulance Service and taken to the Sanitarium for immediate treatment.

Opening

After opening on June 7, 1909, a balcony above the Fourth Street entrance sat an orchestra to play for shoppers three times a week and would be used for dances held in the lobby.

Some of the noteworthy stores in the arcade at its inception included the Morse Optical Company in 1911 with Dr. Rankin at 19 Arcade, A.L Norton bookstore, Stewart Brothers and Alward furniture, J.M. Browne grocery store, Busy Bee Confections, W. A. Erman and Son drug store, Arcade Post Card store, Applegate Brothers Bicycle and Sundries, the Marietta Paint and Color Co., John Meridith Clothiers, and the Singer Sewing Machine Company - so popular they moved to a larger space in 1935 to 11 Arcade Annex. In its early years, the Arcade was known for more than its businesses. It was noted for its striking architecture and climate-controlled shopping. It had a beautiful fountain in the center walkway in front of Steward Alward Furniture Company (later removed due to the cavorting of many children and dogs playing in the water and making the walkway slippery). The Arcade led to changes in the nearby Union Block space; J.M. Browne’s Grocery moved to occupy the alley fronting on the Arcade and Church Street. Browne's old room on west half was subdivided for America Talking Machine while Dana-Cates-Simpson Company, a new wholesale cigar company, received the other half of the space.

Later Additions

Postcard of the Newark Arcade's entrance on Third Street c. 1910

A lit marquise was hung over the entrance, with “Arcade" was spelled out in art deco style letters on the entry way floor, which can still be seen today. Many community members remembered the elaborate plaster work throughout the arcade passageway with geometric terra cotta tropes along with terrazzo marble floors with entablature frieze columns. The numerous glass pane store fronts and glass paneled roof was an architectural marvel at the time and the 3-story façade was built of quality brick by contractor P.S. Phillips.

A theater was built opening as “Orpheum Playhouse Theater”, featuring Vaudeville shows and in 1934 changed names to the Arcade Theater. The Arcade was rumored to have a speakeasy on the second floor and poker parties in the basement according to H.S. "Bill" DeVine, a long-time Advocate employee.

According to J. King, the owner of the beauty and barber shop at 24 South Fourth Street, visitors to the Arcade would have poker parties in the basement. They could enter by Fourth Street outside entrance behind the then barber shop, with a bell system to alert gamblers in the basement if anyone wandering around outside.

The fountain and theater are no longer present, but the Arcade still houses local businesses in downtown Newark.

J.S. & S.F.

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