C.L. EVERS & COMPANY
Storyline
A FAMILY-RUN MARKET
The story goes that as a young man of 18, Charles Livingston Evers crossed the ocean to make his fortune in New England. Charles began importing preserves and household items from his homeland selling them from a small stand near the port of New York. He met and married a canal boatman’s daughter, traveled west along the canal and settled in Syracuse – just one month before little Clarence Livingston Evers was born.
They say that it started with a cart, a sturdy back and a pair of thick-soled boots. Clarence Livingston Evers (his mother called him “C.L.”), walked the streets of Syracuse neighborhoods selling fresh produce and household goods from his cart. His first major expansion: a bigger cart - this time horse-drawn.
He married Anna Lee - a blacksmith’s daughter. Together they opened a small grocery store and lived above it in a 4-room flat in the now booming Erie Canal town. C.L. Evers & Company Grocer was born – as were two children – Clarence Jr. and Clarissa Lee.
C.L. Evers & Company took pride in service above all else -providing the best from local growers, bakers, confectioners and brewers, as well as important every day household goods. Customers also enjoyed the specialty regional and imported goods C.L. made a point to have in stock. “Everything we carry has to meet my standard – that’s the C.L. Evers Seal of Approval” C.L. used to say. “If you don’t see it on the shelves, I’ll get it for you.”
Today C.L. Evers & Company continues the tradition of superior products and service. And if you don’t see it on the shelves, we’ll get it for you!
THE EVERS FAMILY
· Wife – Anna Lee was a State Fair blue ribbon winner for her baked goods. She oversaw the bakery section. They say she was as sweet as her honey rolls.
· Son – Junior built his strength lifting produce crates. It’s said that he developed quite the pitching arm throwing substandard fruit at targets behind the store.
· Daughter – Clarissa liked to hunt with her father. She ran the meat department keeping it stocked with unusual cuts, alongside the standards and only the freshest quality.
· C.L. was said to have been a gentle, hard working soul who bent over backwards for his customers.
