Another Ionia Street Fire

[Paisleyparker330]

It is boarded up and empty now, but how cool to have the pool hall/store back! So let's here the ghost story!

I knew as soon as I saw the place on Goggle Maps search last night that we had found the right place, I got a really creepy feeling just looking at it. 

I lived there in the mid 70's (74-75), I was about 9-10 years old. On the first floor there was a neighborhood grocery store that had a pool table and a jukebox. The second floor was an apartment where my family and I lived. The window would not open and I don't recall there being a "reason" for this and since the windows wouldn't open the place was always hot. I recall my Mom and I taking a lot of showers to keep cool.

As you walked into the main door there was a long staircase that lead up to the landing which was a huge open space. We had a daybed in that area which I slept on two or three times. I think I slept there because it was cooler then my bedroom. When I did sleep there I would be awakened by the front door slamming and footsteps coming up the staircase. The footsteps were heavy and slow and would stop at the top. After a few seconds it would start all over again. This would happen at at least 2-3 times. I don't recall if I would just get up, which I doubt I did since I was scared speechless, or if it would just stop.

In regards to the store below, several times during the evening my Mom and I would hear people playing pool and the jukebox. Since it was very hot in the apartment we would go down to buy a cold drink. We would get there and the place would be empty and not a soul in sight.

The last thing I recall about this place was that we had a box fan that we would put at the top of the stairs to draw cool air from the bottom. We would ALWAYS make sure it was off when we left home and almost everytime when we would get back, it would be on.

I wish my Mom were still around, I'm sure she could add to this.

[uptowngirl]

What a fantastic story I love it! Thank you for sharing!

[iloveionia]

I would so love if you had pictures to share! 

I saw an exterior picture from 1985 that shows it was a pool hall.  The current owner of the pool hall and the adjacent bungalow next door unfortunately does not desire to sell.  I fear for the pool hall as it has multiple code violations. 

My Ionia house is just a few doors down.

[Paisleyparker330]

Sorry, I wish I did have some pictures.

I noticed from Goggle maps that the 2 places across the street are being renovated. I copied the Goggle maps photos fearing that it would next and missing out on having any solid memories of the place.

Have you lived in the area long? Do you know if someone died or was killed in that place pre 74-75??

[iloveionia]

I bought in 2007.  There is a long-time resident next to uptowngirl who may know.  Chris Farley may know something as well. 

The two places across the street from the pool hall have looked like that since 2007, unfortunately. 

Ionia is in decent shape.  A fair amount restored/renovated homes.  Lots of empty lots though.  I don't like that.

PM Chris Farley, see what she may know.  She is a gem of a historian and very generous with her knowledge. 

[Paisleyparker330]

Thank you!