Page:Brunswick 100 Years of Memories.pdf/113

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working for Grosses in 1902, continuing almost to

death, missing only about a week over the entire period ... for hospitalization. Turner Conner began working ·in 1904, then joined Karns Lumber to complete his career. Harry Pennell, ofJefferson, left a mark on the memories of the Gross family. S - William B. Gross

W-MMM

HAHN'S CAFE Hahn's Cafe building, located at the corner of West "B" Street and Petersville Road, was constructed of lumber from houses which had been located between the tracks. Because it was in the path of the approach to the new bridge that was to . be constructed over the Potomac River, it was razed in 1950. Bessie and Harry Hahn operated their Cafe for over twenty years and they were open every day of the year. They were known for their seafood, soup, oysters, hardshell crabs, french fries, and steamed shrimp. Although Brunswick was in dire need of a modern up-to-date bridge, it was a sad day when Hahn's Cafe disappeared from the scene to accommodate the new bridge. S - Bessie Hahn W -BLC

H&R BLOCK The idea of opening an H & R Block in Brunswick originated at a 4th of July picnic at Oneida Heffner's home in Rosemont. Long time friends Sam and Vivian Hughes spoke of an ad in the Brunswick Blade Times advertising an H & R Block franchise. Oneida had been an employee of Block and had been manager of the Charles Town, W.Va., office and had worked at the 223 North Market Street office in Frederick. She had previously been introduced to Joe Dunn, who owned the Frederick franchise, when she and her husband sold their home on Brunswick Street. Since she could find no reference to this type of sale in any tax publication, Attorney William Wenner referred her to Joe Dunn, who invited her to take the H & R Block course and work for him. The Brunswick office opened in January 1972 at 9 West Potomac Street in a small office with a twoman desk. During that first tax season Myer Kap-

Ion, who for many years prepared the tax returns of Brunswick citizens, died and the influx of clients began. Business has been good since that time. The main clientele used to be B&O employees, but with the change in railroading in Brunswick, that is no longer true. However, many railroad retirees are clients. The tax season of 1990 was Heffner's 18th year in Brunswick and many memorable experiences could be related. However, one of the best is about an elderly gentleman, who at an early age had immigrated to the U. S. He was told that he did not need to file or pay taxes; he was quite upset. He felt that it was very important that he pay taxes to his beloved country. Needless to say, not everyone feels that way about paying taxes. During these years Oneida Heffner has attended manyseminars,and training is an annual process. It has meant long hours - sometimes as many as 20 a day. Without the support of her husband, Lawrence, this business could not have been the success it is, states Mrs. Heffner. In 1976 the business moved to larger quarters at 25 West Potomac Street. They like the downtown Brunswick area and plan to remain there. In 1990 they entered the field of electronic filing. IRS expects that many tax returns will be filed this way in the future, saving the IRS an enormous amount of paper work. Employees Linda Lucas (now working at Brunswick High School), Sandra Tucker and Mary Axline have been a maintayof the business. In 1982,on the first Monday of February, always the busiest day of the year, Mary came just to answer phones for the day and she's still with the firm. Over the years all of the Heffner children, Larry, LaVonne, Karen, and Arthur, have worked in the office. Presently daughter Lauren Lipps is taking a close look at the administrative end of the business. The years on Potomac Street have been interesting, intriguing and oftimes tiring. Oneida Heffner' s years with H & R Block have been good. W - Oneida Heffner

HARDWARE STORES 1893 Wenner, Swank and Co., Lot 6, south of the tracks, west side of Virginia Avenue. 1902 Swank and George. Lots 5 and 6. A lot was added to the original store. Wenner sold out to his partners.

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