(Image provided by The Journal)  

Lorenzo O. Skanchy

There was a small corner of Lot 3 Block 19 Plat C which was most likely unused, as it was so close to the property line yet separated from the rest of the lot by the Logan River.[13] Lorenzo O. Skanchy (pronounced "skanky") became the owner of that lot and decided to construct a storefront building on the small corner of the property in 1919.[14] This was the original building of 400 East and Center Street, which would later become the Island Market.  

Lorenzo O. Skanchy was a merchant, businessman, and store owner that carried a well-known family name throughout town that was strongly connected to grocery stores and similar businesses. (See the “Where Did the Corner Markets Go?” page for more.) 

The advertisement recognizes Archie Anderson as well as the “new building” that was built by Lorenzo Skanchy the previous year. (Image provided by The Journal) 

Archie Anderson 

The first renter, a man named Archie Anderson, moved into the building in 1920. Anderson was a butcher, and he determined that opening a butcher shop in this area would be a great resource to the agricultural community. For roughly three years, Archie Anderson continued to work here, serving the Island community. 

This advertisement expresses that Archie Anderson moved locations and that the building was open for a new renter. (Image provided by The Journal)  

Then in 1923, Archie Anderson officially moved to a new location at 416 North 500 East, which was right alongside another store that the Skanchys owned. The “Cottage Grocery” was located and operated at 426 North 500 East and was run out of the Skanchy home.[15] It appears that Archie moved next to the Cottage Grocery to work alongside Lorenzo O. Skanchy, continuing his butcher practice. 

(Image provided by The Journal) 

John Lenkersdorfer

John Lenkersdorfer would take Anderson’s place in Skanchy’s building in 1923, giving it the name “East Center St. Grocery Store.” The paper check (pictured above) is the earliest artifact known of related to the building. It has the date of January 15, 1924 stamped in the right corner. Before researchers for this exhibit uncovered the original building date of 1919, 1924 was the oldest date known of for the store. 

(Image provided by The Journal) 

C. Norman Skanchy

But by 1925, Lorenzo Skanchy’s brother Carl Norman Skanchy (who typically went by Norman) would be running the grocery. C. Norman Skanchy called it the "Seventh Ward Grocery" [16] to match the name of the Church’s local congregation, which also served as another name for the Island. (See the “Logan Island History” page for more.)  

As the Seventh Ward church building was located on the same block as the grocery store, [17] it likely acted as a recognizable landmark and influenced the grocery store's name change.  

From 1927 to 1928 there is no evidence that any businesses were operating out of the store. In 1929, however, we can be certain that the Seventh Ward Grocery no longer remained, as the store was listed as “vacant” in the Logan City Polk Directory.[18] 

The Skanchys

Lorenzo O. Skanchy was recorded to still be the owner of the store by the Utah State Commission in 1934.[19] In his obituary he was described as a “grocery man.” Lorenzo O. Skanchy's obituary also referenced his son, Antone L. Skanchy, and his brother, C. Norman Skanchy.[20] These figures would continue to be prolific businessmen in Logan. As of 1946, Antone L. Skanchy owned “Skanchy’s Market” and C. Norman Skanchy owned “Temple Grocery.”[21] (More about these stores can be read on the "Where Did the Corner Markets Go?" page of this exhibit). The Skanchy name came to be clearly known in Logan.   

Lorenzo O. Skanchy’s position over this new store location helped build this location into a functioning store as well as helped grow the Skanchy reputation in Logan.