OPITZ DRY GOODS STORE

This postcard was sent to us at Peever by a member of the Opitz family who wrote to us from Minnesota It is a rare treasure as it is dated November 1910. It is written to a Math Opitz at Frank, South Dakota by (Aunt) Christine, who we understand was the late Matt Opitz' wife.	In 1902 Mathias (Matt) Opitz, who came to Peever from Frank Postoffice, built a wooden store building on the corner of block 7 on the east side of Main Street. He stocked all items of clothing, yard good and whatever made up the term "dry goods." He was an ambitious and friendly man who made many improvements in the few years that he was able. On the front of the building in large letters was a name in Dakota language that was puzzling at first. But when translated it meant "Bald Man's Store". So it was obvious that Matt had a sense of humor as well. Mathias died in 1909 when in his forties. After his death some of the family continued the business, but we don't know for how long. In 2000 when doing research for the Peever Pilot the Jarmans found the graves of Mathias Opitz and his family in the cemetery near the old town that was once Frank Postoffice.
PEEVER PILOT August 1906…Young George Waletich of Sisseton is clerking in Opitz' store this week during his absence to the cities. Matt Opitz of this place and Joseph Plut of Sisseton went to the St. Paul market Tuesday with several carloads of fine cattle. July 1905…John Waletich is the chief flunky in Opitz' Store this week. 1904…A real estate deal was completed this week whereby Matt Opitz secured the title to the 40 acres of fine land just south of town from Stanley Harris of this village.......(Opitz Addition on map.Waletich and Plut were the investors)	MATT OPITZ GRAVE MARKER Located in the old cemetery near what was the town of Frank, south east of Eden, SD
Photo by V. Hill CHARS CAFE 10 cent coffee! Below is a photo taken April 12, 2002. Jarman Bros. Construction of Cokato, MN. was doing some much needed repair on the false front of the 100 year old Opitz Store Building. They also shingled the south half of the roof. Shown in the picture are Bill Jarman of Dassel,MN. and Jeff Jarman of Aberdeen,SD. Also involved with the repair work for Ma and Pa Jarman's Cafe were Phillip and Cody of Minnesota and Brad of Canton, SD. Photo by Rhonda Jarman	CHARS CAFE In 1939, after a period of apparent disuse, the Opitz Store was once again a thriving business on the main street of Peever. Nels and Orphia Hanson opened a cafe and 3.2 beer bar in the building and it has been that ever since. The next owners were Lillian and Erling Erickson and in 1977 it was sold to Allen and Char Jarman who are the present owners. A number of years ago the bar was discontinued and a small grocery store put in. And that is what it is today. In May of 2002 the Jarmans will have been in business 25 years and the building will be 100 years old. ********* Al and Char take this opportunity to thank their faithful customers and to remember those many friends made over the 25 years in Chars Cafe who are not with us anymore. AN UPDATE ON THE STATUS OF CHARS CAFE! THE CAFE AND GROCERY WILL BE REOPENING ON APRIL 25 UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT AFTER BEING CLOSED SINCE NOVEMBER OF 2010. WE ARE ALL GLAD THAT THE BUSINESS WILL BE OPEN AGAIN AND WISH THE NEW OWNER, CHARLOTTE ALMANZA, THE VERY BEST. JANUARY 14, 2012 JUST ANOTHER UPDATE ON THE STATUS OF CHARS CAFÉ. ON OCTOBER 23, 2011 THE BUILDING CAUGHT FIRE IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS AND BURNED TO THE GROUND. AT THIS TIME PEEVER IS WITHOUT A CAFÉ BUT THE OWNERS MAY BEGIN A NEW BUSINESS AT A LATER DATE. PHOTO BELOW SHOWS ART ARGO AND DON WREN AT WORK CLEANING UP THE SITE OF THE FIRE EARLY BUSINESSES