The owner of the City Club died several months ago. Harry Strobel had purchased the tavern from the Andrews Family in the early 1980's and continued to operate it until his death. Harry was not married although the love of his life (Doris) had shared his life journey. Unfortunately there was no succession planning or "will" that passed on the business to Doris. That part of the story sucks.
So it ends! The City Club is well over 150 years old. It is basically a wooden structure that sags in a few spots. The chances that someone would purchase it and continue to operate it like Harry/Doris is pretty slim. I know Harry had to scramble to meet all Plymouth electrical, plumbing, and safety codes when he bought the place. I would imagine that building codes have only gotten tougher over the years.
The City Club is in the "dead center" of town. Usually that would be an ideal location but the world is moving to the out-skirts of growing communities to create bigger buildings and easier access to businesses. So the "grand dame" of Plymouth will probably pass into obsurity leaving only memories of a special time.
For me it was the only place I remember for the first 20 years of my life. It was a transition from a young child (remembering Grandpa Chalk/Myrna) through World War II. Then it was watching my Dad transition from the War to Lakeland College followed by some years of operating the City Club. High School was the later part of my tenure. I left the City Club and a "father-less" family to trudge off to college. After that, it was occasional visits to my Mom and family and of course Myrna. Myrna always seemed to be the one constant until she died in the early 1980's. The City Club defined my early life.
The building will probably be sold and turned into a parking lot. Alas, it is like a large ship that has no use. A great ship can be towed out to the deep part of the ocean and sunk. I guess with a building like the City Club, you have to demolish it and then create something new.
The lesson Grasshoppers is that you are surrounded by many things that define you. As you grow older, things that were major influences will become clear to you. Treasure the memories. All good things do eventually end!
Love,
Dad