Washington Ave was constructed in 1889 and lots were then sold off to residents and developers. By 1906 eighteen new homes had been built.

Aug. 30, 1889 Andover Townsman p. 4 - The new street, Washington Ave. is progressing rapidly, and from all appearances it is likely to be a good piece of road. The ledge at the Elm Street end had been blasted sufficiently, and the men are now engaged cutting down the ground above the grad and filling in the lower places. Quite a piece stretching from Summer Street is ready for the finishing touches.
October 25, 1889 AT – The new street Washington Ave. is beginning to look like a very good piece of road. The top dressing of red spring gravel is being put on.
Nov. 1, 1889 p.1 AT Commissioner Hayward has finished putting the top coat of Red Spring gravel on Washington Ave. and one sidewalk has been made the entire length
This former neighborhood variety store was a favorite stop for the local children and a convenience for mothers in need of provisions just a short walk from home. The store was constructed by David C. Young shortly after he and his business partner sold their butcher shop at 2 Main Street in 1922.

Etta S. Young, wife of David C. Young purchased the house at 48 Summer Street on the corner of Washington Ave on Mar. 3, 1915. David C. Young was born in Hamilton, Scotland, on July 28, 1867, son of Brown & Elizabeth Young. He immigrated to America in 1889, first to Manchester, NH where he worked as a butcher. David married there on July 27, 1892 to Etta S. Hutchinson b. 1872 in Tyngsboro, MA dau. of John & Lydia Hutchinson. They had a daughter Elizabeth M. b. 1894.

David came to Andover and went to work for the Valpey Brothers butcher and provisions store at 2 Main St. He first lived at 5 Summer St. prior to this home at #48. In July 1916, with the death of Ezra Valpey, the business was sold to David S. Lindsey and David C. Young of “Lindsey & Young”.
Both young men had been employed by Valpey and carried on the very successful business.

Sadly Etta S. Young died in July 1920. The 1920 Valuation lists House and shed $1200 and 9200 sq. ft. of land $800. David Young ended his partnership with Lindsey in 1922 and they sold the business to Mr. Hormada of Lawrence.

It appears that David built the “Little Store” attached to his home at 48 Summer St. and carried on a small business by himself. The 1926 Andover Directory lists David C. Young under the Variety Stores advertising section at #48 Summer Street.

David Young re-married to Sarah E. “Sadie” Harding. The home was sold to George P. & Elizabeth. F. Bourne on July 10, 1926 and David & Sadie moved across the street to 69 Summer St.

George Percy Bourne was born Apr. 20, 1870 in Byfield, MA son of George & Josephine Bourne. George worked in the shoe factories in Haverhill, later a foreman. He married on Oct. 12, 1891 to Elizabeth F. Stevenson b. Scotland 1871 dau. of Robert & Lizzie Stevenson. She was a Leather Trimmer in the shoe factory. They purchased the home in Andover and opened a Grocery store in Young’s Variety Store. It is listed as 44 Washington Ave. from 1926-1935. Their son Robert Earl was a clerk there in 1935. Bourne retired and moved to Wakefield, MA.

Norman W. & M. Estella Pitman continued with the grocery store. In 1940 Norman was working in the paint department for a worsted wool company and in 1943 as a metal worker at GE in Lynn, MA. Norman & Estella had two sons Paul b. 1933 and David b. 1935.

It appears that the grocery business was managed by Rose Sullivan who lived at 59 Essex St. Sullivan purchased the store and building at 59 Essex St in 1941 and is listed at both stores in the 1943 directory.

Pitman would sell the property at the end of WW II to Agnes and Margaret M. Holmes on Sept. 22, 1945. Agnes & Margaret were sisters who worked in the mills of the American Woolen Co. They never lived in the home but rented to Edwin E. & Helen M. Johnson. Edwin was the manager of “Johnson’s Variety”.

Edwin was born Feb. 11, 1914, son of Thomas & Julia Johnson. The following year on Feb. 9, 1946 the Holmes sisters sell the property to Julie T. Johnson, wife of Arthur, and Helen M. Johnson, wife of Edwin.

On Oct. 22, 1954 Helen Johnson deeds ½ undivided share in the property and buildings to Julia T. Johnson, her sister-in-law.

It was about this time that the Variety store was taken over by William H. & Elsie C. (Stiles) Haigh who lived at 34 Washington Street. A plan of the lot with buildings was done by Julia T. Johnson on October 24, 1962. The store was closed and was converted into an apartment for Julia T. Johnson. Julia T. died on March 7, 1976 and property inherited by Julia P. McDonald b. 1935.

Julia P. & Clarence E. McDonald lived in the home with their children; Kevin A. b. 1957 and Shelia b. 1958. Clarence Edward McDonald was b. May 25, 1926 in Muhlenberg, KY, son of Edgar & Flora (Allen) McDonald. Clarence enlisted in the Army on Sept. 7, 1948 and retired from active duty on Oct. 30 1968.

Julia McDonald was a substitute teacher in Andover for many years. Clarence died on Nov. 25, 1993.

Julia and her son Kevin continued to live in the home until 2013 when they sold to Jefco Inc., Doug Ahern on Sept. 11, 2013. A request for demolition was heard by the Andover Preservation Commission in 2013, and a demolition delay instated. A Public hearing was held on the property and a site visit by the commission board. Rehab was not an option and moving the building was also considered. After extensive review and adjustments of the new plans for the site the former home was razed. A larger two story structure erected on the site contains two condominiums.

Fond memories from the Andover "Townies" of this neighborhood who frequented the "Little Store" , as they called it, prompted this individual listing as a site with a special history.

Besides the staples of bread, eggs and milk, they remember the penny candy selections spent with extra change. penny fudge, apple pies, Hoodsie Cups when you licked the caps, faces of Gene Autry and Roy Rodgers might appear. Bubble gum & Baseball cards, Dixie Cups, Royal Crown Cola, all soda was called Tonic back then. Most Townies remember the Johnsons and the Haighs running the store. Back then adults were always Mr. or Mrs. as kids were never on a first name basis.

Lost but not forgotten. We wait for a description of the interior. See 48 Summer for earlier owners