Original Old Tin-Ceiling Store Since 1925
In continuous operation since before U.S. 66 became the official cross-country highway from Chicago to Los Angeles. Still operating as it did ‘back then,’ it serves as a stopping, shopping place for the small community of Riverton, as well as for travelers on Route 66. It was nationally familiar in its early days, because this Southeast corner of Kansas literally tied 66 together, and today it is internationally known as one of the most authentic, still working 75-year-old stores of its kind on all of Route 66. It has groceries, produce, flowers, an old time Deli serving excellent sandwiches; gifts (including area handcrafts), lots of Route 66 memorabilia and the friendliness of Yesterday.

It's a gathering, meeting place for those who have grown up on or near Route 66 and travelers from everywhere New York, Utah, Canada, Germany, Japan, France it's a fun place where you can relax with coffee at a table on the Produce Porch, where you can make new friends while you experience and enjoy a glimpse into the past.

Old Riverton Store on National Register of Historic Places.
by V. Hopkins

Leo Williams and his daughter, Jane Marie, in front of the store in the early years

Once known as the “Williams Store”, Eisler Brothers Old Riverton Store, located on HWY 66 in Riverton, Kansas, received the honor of placement on the National Register of Historic Places. The store at Riverton was also call the Lora Williams AG Food Market for some years. It was built by Leo Williams, owner, in 1925 and has retained “a very high degree of integrity” according to the write-up that came with the information and pictures.

The current building replaced one destroyed by a tornado in 1923, where Lora had served lunches and sold groceries while Leo worked at the Empire District Electric Co.,

The existing building originally had an open front porch, but the present closed in proch replaced that in 1933. It is one story, built of hollow, dark red bricks on a concrete slab foundation.

The interior of the Williams' Store in the 1930's. The tables and chairs at the front show where customers enjoyed their barbecue sandwiches and home made chili.

The interior has changed little since 1925. It is divided into two primary spaces, the east section which was, and is, used as the commercial area and the west section consisting of three rooms in a linear arrangement with a small bath, (added later) which was the residence of Leo and Lora Williams and their daughter, Jane Marie. The kitchen was in the commercial part just west of the meat lockers. A pressed metal ceiling is used throughout the building.

In the 1940's the Williams family moved their residence to the house next door to the store. Today the front part which was originally the living room, houses Route 66 merchandise and souvenirs.

There were gasoline pumps in front of the store for many years, leased first to Texaco and later to Standard Oil. The store itself carried everything from groceries to general merchandise-shoes, clothes, milk, fresh meat, a wide variety of goods. Leo also barbecued beef and venison in a pit behind the store and served sandwiches to customers. Lora served her speical recipe of chili.

Customers were mostly local people, but the store also played an important role on Route 66 as the traffic increased through the late 20's, 30's, 40's and 50's.

There were originally two outhouses back of the store. One now remains, painted white and a thin moon silhouette cut into the door. The papers concerning the property say, “..this resource is contributing to the nomination.”

Leo and Lora Williams ran the store until 1945 when they leased the grocery to Lloyd Paxson. Leo died in 1948, so when the Paxson lease expired, Lora returned to the store and operated it until about 1970.

Joe and Isabell Eisler of Allen, Texas, purchased the business in 1973. It has continued to operate as a grocery and deli, just as it had, with very little changes in it's decor. The store was managed for the Eisler's by their nephew, Scott Nelson. Scott purchased the store March 31, 2011 from the estate of the Eisler's. Scott is the President of the Route 66 Association of Kansas.

Deli Sandwiches & Party Trays ---

Try 'em - You'l Like 'em!
Quality Meats & Cheeses

All sandwiches come wih choice of Cheese...

TO ORDER
Call: (620)848-3330.

Nothing like a Sandwich for a speedy Treat!

Come in and ask for our Daily Deli Sandwich & Fountain Special. Try our sandwiches and you will come back for more. The folks at our Deli aim to please.

Meats: Bologna, Chopped Ham, Liver Chese Ham & Cheese Loaf, Baked Ham, Cooked Salami, Pickle Loaf, Old Fashioned Loaf, Pepper Loaf, Roast Beef, Turkey, Genoa Salami, Smoked Salami,Smoked Turkey.

Cheeses:American Cheese Bacon Cheese, Cheddar, Hot Pepper, Munster, Smoked Sharp &Super Sharp (25 cents extra), Swiss & Marble Jack

Canned Vegetables, Soups & Fruits - Canned Tuna - Salmon & Chicken
Prepared Box Mixes, and Staples. Oranges, Apples & Bananas

Shopping for Seasonal Plants

Eisler Bros. has a choice selection of Healty Plants to pick from in every season...

Hanging Baskets -Pansies - Petunias - Geraniums -Tomato plants - Cabbage - Boccoli - Bluk Seed - Pkg. Seeds - Pots Potting Soil & Plant Food.

Remember...

At Eisler Bros. we care....and plants that are cared for show it!

Shopping for Gifts....
Check out Eisler Bros. on Rt. 66
Always perfect for the special gift. Here at Eisler Bros. there is a treasure trove of unique Gifts, Imports, Crafts, Kansas Handicrafts and souviners as well as Historic Route 66 Memorabilia.

Historic Route 66 MEMORABILIA

We're also the headquarters for the: Route 66 Association of Kansas P.O. Box 66 Riverton, Kansas 66770 Current Newsletter of the Route 66 Association of Kansas

Newsletter February 2012

Special Edition Newsletter - Places to Eat Along Route 66

Old Riverton Store - Brochure

Route 66 Souvenirs,

CRAFTS

UNIQUE GIFTS

IMPORTS

CHILDRENS T-Shirts (S-M-L)	New Purses & Tote Bags	66 Post Cards Greeting Cards	Peanut Clusters & Orange Slices
66 Crista Teddy Bears	66 Jackets Caps	Magnets Books Signs Maps	Watches Clocks Caps Pens Mugs
ROUTE 66 VIDEOS	66 Car Plates	T-Shirts Jackets Books	Totes Billfolds Watches
Kansas Souvenirs Wizard of Oz Ornaments

Look for the “Good Old Days” Magazine

Route 66 Vistors At Old Riverton Store

Did you know we also have Copy & Fax service?

We Welcome Master Card, Visa, Discover, & American Express
Kansas Vision Cards are always Welcome!

“For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.” Matthew 12:10 “For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren...”