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In honor of Labor Day, a look at some of Tucson's oldest businesses
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Top Story

In honor of Labor Day, a look at some of Tucson's oldest businesses

  • Sep 4, 2022
  • Sep 4, 2022 Updated Sep 4, 2022
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Labor Day in the United States is a public holiday celebrated on the first Monday in September. It honors the American labor movement and the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, laws and well-being of the country.

Some consider it the end of summer because it coincides with the beginning of some fall activities, such as school and sports.

In Tucson, most school districts have been back in session for weeks.

Another sure sign of the change in seasons is that the University of Arizona is now a sea of students and the football team will soon be taking the field.

And don’t forget that Labor Day was considered the last day it was acceptable to wear white. Wearing white between Memorial Day and Labor Day used to be considered a sign of wealth.

Since the 1800s, many companies have come and gone, struggling through bad economies, working conditions or other challenges. Here are local businesses that have beaten the odds.

Some of Tucson’s Oldest Family Businesses

AZCEN Tanque Verde

Swank western layouts like this one at Tanque Verde Ranch on East Speedway are a big magnet for winter visitors. This pool may be one small reason the ranch has prospered.

Tucson Citizen 1965

1868 — Tanque Verde Ranch, 14301 E. Speedway.

1879 — Arizona Daily Star

Crescent Tobacco Shop

Crescent Tobacco Shop

David Cantrell, the owner of Crescent Tobacco Shop and Newsstand, checks out some cigars in his shop on October 21, 2004.

James S. Wood

1900 — Crescent Tobacco Shop and Newsstand, 200 E. Congress St. 

1907 — Evergreen Mortuary, Cemetery and Crematory, 3015 N. Oracle Road.

1907 — Citizens Transfer and Storage Company Inc., 601 E. 24th St. Sold April 1, 2022 to Coleman World Group LLC.

1909 — Garcia’s Cleaners & Shirt Laundry, 205 E. 22nd St. 

1912 — Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort and Spa, 245 E. Ina Road. 

Posner's Art Store

Posner's

Posner’s Art Store has been owned by only two families in its 104-year history.

Courtesy of Posner’s

1913 — Posner’s Art Store, 944 E. University Blvd.

1914 — Carrillo’s Tucson Mortuary Inc., 204 S. Stone Ave.

1919 — The Chicago Store, 45 S. Sixth Ave.; 5646 E. Speedway.

Hotel Congress

Hotel Congress

Christopher Blancarte, left, and Peter Borquez outside Hotel Congress in downtown Tucson on July 12, 2016.

Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star

1919 — Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress St.

1922 — Lerua’s, (set to reopen at 2243 and 2245 E. Broadway Blvd.)

1922 — EL Charro Café, 311 N. Court Ave; 7725 N. Oracle Road; 6910 E. Sunrise Drive.

Colossal Cave

Colossal Cave

Visitors explore Colossal Cave at 16721 E Old Spanish Trail in January, 1954.

Tucson Citizen

1923 — Colossal Cave, 16721 E. Old Spanish Trail. 

ORielly Chevrolet

O'Rielly Chevrolet

Salesman James Porter and Dick Stover look over some of the Corvettes on display on the lot at O'Rielly Chevrolet on April 30, 2010.

Kelly Presnell/Arizona Daily Sta

1924 — O’Rielly Chevrolet, 6160 E. Broadway.

1928 — Bring’s Broadway Chapel, 6910 E. Broadway. 

Arizona Inn

Arizona Inn

The Arizona Inn at 2200 E. Elm, on April 28, 1971 in Tucson. The longtime hang out for the famous opened in 1930.

ARIZONA DAILY STAR

1930 — Arizona Inn, 2200 E. Elm St. 

1934 — The Buffet Bar, 538 E. Ninth St. 

1934 — The Mint, 3540 E. Grant Road. 

The Shanty

The Shanty

"Top of the Morning" a specialty cocktail available at The Shanty located at 401 East 9th Street for St. Patrick's Day on March 04, 2009

Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star

1937 — The Shanty, 401 E. Ninth St.

1940 — Inglis Florists, 2362 E. Broadway; 6468 N. Oracle Road.

1945 — Gospel Supplies, 5640 E. Broadway. 

1945 — Perri Jewelers, 1 E. Congress Street.

Casa Molina

Archive photos from Arizona Daily Star/Tucson Citizen

Gilbert Molina started a dynasty that has descendants running the Casa Molina and El Molinito restaurants.

Bruce Hopkins / Tucson Citizen 1964

1947 — Casa Molina del Norte, 3001 N. Campbell Ave,; Casa Molina, 6225 E. Speedway; Casita De Molina, 3220 W. Valencia Road.

1948 — Musselman Honda Center, 2302 N. Stone Ave.

1951 — House n’ Garden Furniture, 250 E. Wetmore Road.

1952 — Hughes Federal Credit Union, 3131 E. Speedway; 971 W. Wetmore Road; 280 N. Pantano Road; 951 E. Hermans Road; 7970 N. Thornydale Road; 7820 N. Cortaro Road, Marana. 

 1955 — Tuller Trophy and Awards, 525 N. Sixth Ave. 

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