1027 E Lexington Avenue - Built 1924

Uncovering Lakeland's Hidden Histories: The Story of 1027 E Lexington Avenue!

Did you know some of Lakeland's most iconic homes hold fascinating stories within their walls? We love digging into the past, and today we're thrilled to share a glimpse into the history of another century-old home: 1027 E Lexington Avenue!

The story of this residence is intertwined with an innovative early Lakeland business, a company that pioneered a concept we take for granted today: the self-service grocery store.

The Grocerteria: Lakeland's Self-Service Grocery Store

The grocery business was a foundational part of Lakeland from its earliest days. You might know the M Herron Grocery, which once stood across from old City Hall on the southeast corner of E. Main St. and S. Florida Ave. In 1915, David M. Castles worked there as a clerk. By 1919, he'd moved to the O'Doniel Brothers grocery, while his relative, David W. Castles, took a clerk position at M Herron. By 1921, David M. had opened his own store, and David W. had joined a new and exciting venture: The Grocerteria.

The Grocerteria's "Self Service" concept was a sensation. It allowed customers to select their own groceries, an innovative idea for its time and one of the first of its kind in Florida. This allowed the company to keep prices competitive and grow rapidly. The first location was where today's Traditions Unlimited is, on the southeast corner of E. Pine St. and N. Kentucky Ave.

The company itself was founded by Daniel C. Boswell and J. Edward Miller. Boswell had been working at Lakeland Feed & Supply since 1915, and in late 1917 or 1918, he teamed up with J. Edward Miller, a new arrival to town. The two families even lived together at 308 E. Bay St. They built The Grocerteria from the ground up, but by 1921, Boswell had moved on to become a realtor, leaving Miller as the sole proprietor. In the early 1920s, Miller briefly sold the store to an Orlando grocer, but quickly bought it back and began expanding. By 1924, The Grocerteria had grown to three locations, with its corporate office on N. Kentucky Ave., a block away from where Boswell & Miller first formed their business.

A New Chapter for the Grocerteria... and the Smiths

Throughout the early 1920s, the Castles family remained deeply involved with the Grocerteria. David W. and other relatives worked as clerks and cashiers, and David M. eventually returned as manager, while David W. became the treasurer. In 1925, a new name appeared on the scene: Levie D. Smith. He started as a cashier, quickly became the manager of store #1, and by 1926 was a co-owner. That same year, David W. Castles took over as the company's owner, with James Castle managing store #2.

However, the store's run was coming to an end. By 1931, the Grocerteria had run its course. Levie Smith transitioned into real estate, while the Castles family divested themselves and started new ventures, including Castle's Sign Shop and Castle's Service Center on N. Kentucky Avenue. After more than a decade, The Grocerteria closed its doors for good. It's worth noting that this same era saw the rise of a new grocery giant: Publix opened its first location just up the road in Winter Haven in 1930, a clear sign that the grocery business was about to change dramatically.

(Photo courtesy Florida Archives: https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/117869)

The Smiths' New Home on Lexington Avenue

Our story comes full circle with Levie and Grace Smith, the original owners of this beautiful home. Levie, a slight man at 5'4" with brown hair and eyes, came to Lakeland from Brooklyn, Mississippi, at just 21 years old around 1922. He was a clerk at the Grocerteria when he met Grace Ross, of nearby Kathleen, and they married in November 1923.

In 1925, just as he was starting his ascent at The Grocerteria, the family moved into their newly built home at 1027 E Lexington Avenue. A photograph from circa 1929 shows the family on Lexington Avenue: Levie and Grace with their two children at the time, Levie Jr. and Bettie Ross. Their next youngest daughter, Ruby, would be born in 1930, followed by later daughters Billie and Carolyn. Some readers may remember the children, several of whom only recently passed. The Smiths remained in the home for ten years before moving to 506 S. McKay Avenue.

Levie's success transcended the grocery business. He became a strong force in Lakeland's real estate community, serving as president of the Lakeland Realtors in both 1946 and 1947. Following in his father's footsteps, Levie Jr. also became a prominent realtor, forming Smith & Smith Realtors together, and even serving as president of Lakeland Realtors in 1958. The family's time at 1027 E. Lexington remains a key part of this home's century-old history and a testament to their enduring impact on our community.