213. New Bunsold's Supermarket In Winchester, Skating Rink Opens, The High School Building Comes Down

RCHS Blog Post Number 213.  

New Bunsold's Supermarket In Winchester, Skating Rink Opens, 

The High School Building Comes Down

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New Bunsold's Supermarket In Winchester

The News_Gazette, April 13, 1973

by A. M. Gibbons.

  When Ed Bunsold opens a grocery in Winchester around April 25, he will be carrying on a tradition which has spanned three generations in his family, and fulfilling a long-time ambition to return to Winchester to carry out that tradition.

  Ed's grandfather, Samuel B. Bunsold, operated a small neighborhood grocery in Muncie from 1905 to 1924. Ed's father Ted Bunsold , recalls that he spent his childhood, from cradle age, in that grocery, as both his parents worked there. Ted himself went into the grocery business in Muncie in 1925, opened a Winchester IGA grocery (later Thrifty Markets) on the south side of the square in 1934 and later moved to the present location of Western Auto on East Franklin street where he continued in the grocery business until he retired in 1969. His brother Paul was a partner until his death in 1963.

  Ed himself had worked in his father's grocery and later had jobs which were related to the grocery business, but always had in mind, he says, to return to Winchester and go into business for himself.

  A Winchester high school graduate with the class of 1957, Ed attended Indiana Business college for two years, then worked for Fisher Body at Marion, spent three years in the army, and returned in 1964 to work in his father's grocery store.

  After Ted Bunsold retired, Ed took a job with Investors Diversified Services, a mutual fund firm. Later he moved to Washington, Ind., and worked for the Locker Corporation as assistant manager of a supermarket. He then moved to Lawrence, Ind. in April of 1972, where he was a sales representative of a wholesale bakery firm.

  When the word got around that the Winchester A&P was going out of business, Ed felt the opportunity to fulfill his basic ambition had come.

  He has leased the building from its owner, Bruce WRIGHT, of Shelbyville, and is now busy with cleaning and redecorating.

  The new Bunsold's Supermarket will employ around twelve people, and will be open seven days a week. Max StMYERS from Union City will be assistant manager and other full-time employees will be Allen WOOTERS, (who has worked in Illinois for IGA) as manager of the meat department; Peggy SMITH, Charlene ROBINSON, Ruby TAYLOR and Tom BOXELL.

  Ed Bunsold notes that his father's store was always known for its high quality meat, that his own store will carry only USDA choice, and although the meat counter will be "self service," special cuts will be prepared if the customer asks for them.

  He also emphasizes that all stock will be absolutely new, as the A&P management removed any stock left over after its closing sale. Further, Bunsold says, he will make sure that all meat and produce is fresh and in top condition.

  "I hope to have a market where the public will find shopping a pleasure," he adds.

  At present, Ed Bunsold is staying with his parents during the week while he supervises the cleanup and redecorating at the grocery. His wife, the former Margaret HOUSEMAN of Berne, Ind., and the couple's two year old daughter, will move from Lawrence to Winchester within the next three weeks. (Mrs. Bunsold is no stranger to Winchester as she taught fifth grade at Baker Elementary school in 1966-67-68.)

  The Bunsolds will live at 709 Englewood Drive, having bought the home owned by the former A&P manager, John LINTER.

  Ed explains that he will be the sole owner and manager of the business, but he says, with a smile, that it will be a great help to have his father around with a word of advice now and then, offering the accumulation of two generations of know-how to the third generation in a Bunsold grocery.

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Skating Rink Opens

The News-Gazette, April 5, 1973.

  The Starlite Roller Rink, located northeast of Winchester on county road 100-E, will open Friday night (April 6), according to owners Mr. and Mrs. Evan HORN.

  The rink, which features a 100 x 70 foot floor, will be open Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights from 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday nights have been designated as "family nights." The rink will also be open on Sunday afternoons from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. The Horns have also announced that the rink will be available for parties on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

  The Starlite has a plastic coated floor and skate rental is available. The rink also has a snack bar area.

  Horn says that he apologizes to the public for the present condition of the parking area but weather has not permitted the parking lot to be completed. When there is a break in the weather, horn plans to have parking in front and on the south side of the rink with an "in" and an "out" drive.

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The High School Building Comes Down

The News-Gazette, April 3, 1973.

by A. M. Gibbons.

  Demolition is the order of the day in Winchester currently. Now that the old Goodrich grain elevator has been leveled, the old Winchester high school is next in line.

  This school was built after the earlier high school burned in 1898, and apparently some of the older school was salvaged for use in the newer one, including ornamental stone arches over the north and west doorways. But the newer school boasted a round tower in which was hung a school bell. This bell has been removed and taken to the new high school where it is to be preserved as a memento of older school days.

  One person, at least, has suggested that the north arch of the old building (which is ornamented with leafy carvings) be preserved. If it is, it will have to be salvaged soon , as demolition is underway.

  In the past week or so workmen supervised by Gene LAWSON and John BAUER who have the demolition contract, have gutted the building, removing all interior timbers including floors, in the school proper and the "old" gym annex.

  A crane has been moved in and with a wrecking ball will be used to demolish most of the brick structure. Before long, the only remaining building on the lot will be the fieldhouse.

  W. A. SHEETS & Son, Fort Wayne builders, have the contract for remodeling the fieldhouse and building a surge area for crowds. Later, plans call for a paved parking lot more or less where the old school stands.

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Would you like a book to learn more about local history? 

Randolph County, Indiana 1818-1990
Commonly referred to as "The Red History Book"
Compiled by the Randolph County Historical Society, 1991, Second reprint 2003.

To obtain your own copy of "The Red History Book" stop in at The RCHS Museum Shop or send an email to arrange placing a mail order.

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