The five-story William Butler Warehouse at 223-227 Arch St. designed by the architecture firm Wilson, Harris & Richards and built in 1906 is an example of the Neoclassical style.
Wm. Butler had a grocery store chain that had over 110 corner stores all over the city by the time this warehouse was constructed. Butler was hardly alone. By 1911, Philadelphia had 5,266 retail grocery stores in addition to 257 delicatessens that also sold groceries and 2,004 butchers and retail meat dealers, of whom probably 10 per cent or 200 also sold groceries. The total: 5,723 in a city of more than a million and a half. That’s “one store for every 270 people or one for every 54 families.”
Why was there so much demand for groceries from the corner store? At that time, most homes lacked a large store room so people could only buy in small quantities rather than in bulk. A limited supply of cash made large purchases impossible for most households. Unexpected guests and other emergencies created demands.. A local grocery was more than a convenience, as it is today. A century ago, it was likely a necessity.
In 1915, Wm Butler, with 127 stores, was absorbed by a larger grocery chain, Robinson & Crawford. The combined company would have over 300 stores. In 1919, Robinson & Crawford would join with several other chain groceries to form American Stores Co., with over 1200 stores in the mid-Atlantic region.
Today the former warehouse is home to apartments under the name Mulberry Court.
Wm Butler corner grocery, 1901 225 Arch St, 1976 Today
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