Apollo Area Historical Society

Daniel Held Sr.,  being the 7th child of Frederick & Susanna Held, married Rose Pearl Riggle at age 27 in May, 1916.  They lived in North Apollo all their lives.  He was a plasterer and had a business.  He started a store in 1936 on 16th Street, North Apollo.  Also he was Post Master of North Apollo.  Dan and Rose had 7 children.  Daniel Jr. and Clair were the two youngest boys.  As his children grew, they had jobs working for their parents.

The first store was a Clover Farm Store, built in 1936.  Daniel also helped start a warehouse called Kiski Stores in Pegtown.   He was on the first Council of North Apollo.  He was one of the first Fireman of North Apollo and helped to build the North Apollo fire hall.   Daniel helped to get streets in North Apollo opened up & built.

In 1960 Daniel Sr. decided to retire.  He gave the store to his sons.  In 1960 they decided to build across the street, corner of 16th and Allison Avenue. Land was bought from Mrs. Varner in November.  Trees were cleared & the building was removed as the groundwork began.  In March 24, 1961 the footer was poured. The Grand Opening for Held’s Foodland was on Oct. 13, 1961.  Later the store was changed to the Red & White Foodmart and then to Held’s Shop & Save. 

 

Miss Thelma Lovisa, kneeling, & Lucy Held, both employees of Held’s Market, stock shelves of New Foodland Market constructed by brothers Dan Jr. & Clair Held, prior to the grand opening  Friday & Saturday.

Right:  “Held’s Meat Dept. takes special pride in its selection of top quality meats & personalized service.  We specialize in cutting meat to your satisfaction.”  Pictured here, left to right, Margaret Connor, Jim Altman, Daniel Held Jr ( Owner) and Miriam White.      Left:  Dan Held & Margaret Connor.

 

The interior of the store, canned goods and produce aisle.

Pirate Days  October 3-8,  1977

 

Western Days

 

Apollo 175th Parade July 6, 1991

 

After building on 3 times to the store, Daniel Jr. decided to retire.  Clair and his daughter Connie ran the store until April 18, 2001.  A garbage man, picking up the town garbage, noticed flames coming out of the roof in the back of the store.  Around 4 a.m. on a Tuesday morning, the family all got calls from the neighbors.  All they could do was watch the building burn.

Clair and his grandson were at camp.  The State Police woke them at 5 am to come home, as of the sad news.  Of course they had KDKA on the radio and got the news on it all as a reporter was on-site.

Clair wanted to rebuild for the town people.  The family has had a store in North Apollo since 1936.  His two daughters who worked with him decided to start planning and checking things out.  A new store opened on August 15, 2002; a new Shop & Save.  The owners are Connie, Karen, and Scott, 3rd generation Helds.  Of course Clair is there every day, straightening shelves and having coffee, talking to old friends, and putting in his 2 cents worth, according to his wife Pearl.

The store continues today to give the same great service that Daniel Held Sr. gave to his customers ever since 1936.  The family is justly proud of this legacy and we hope it continues with the next generation.