Phelan Grocery and Coffee Shop No. 1 is one of the forgotten coffee shops of Port Arthur, Texas. This news article will explain some of the history behind this coffee business and business.
Phelan Grocery established another grocery store in Port Arthur, Texas in 1930 for a cost of $17,000 dollars according to the Port Arthur News newspaper. A new warehouse was constructed at 921 Houston Avenue. This grocery store and coffee shop would become what was called Phelan Grocery and Coffee Shop No. 1. The coffee shop was located in the warehouse. (Ref: https://newspaperarchive.com/port-arthur-news-jul-07-1930-p-1/)
[Two building permits were issued today for $1,300 worth of repairs and construction, according to J. Cain, city inspector Permits were; Phelan grocery, construction of warehouse at 921 Houston Avenue, $17,000, and for tenant Benet, 537 Ninth Street, remodel residence, $1,300.]
By 1932, Phelan Grocery had close to 4 different grocery stores in Port Arthur. Phelan Grocery had established a coffee shop in Port Arthur that year. The address for their coffee shop and grocery store was 935 Houston Ave, Port Arthur, Texas. (Ref: https://newspaperarchive.com/port-arthur-news-sep-02-1932-p-10/)
The Port Arthur News Newspaper ran an advertisement about their coffee which read, “WHETHER YOU PREFER TEA OR COFFEE YOU WILL FIND A NEW GOODNESS IN PHELAN'S BEST COFFEE AND PHELAN’S BEST TEA BUY A CAN OR PACKAGE TODAY FROM YOUR FAVORITE GROCER. MONEY BACK IF NOT SATISFIED.”
(Ref: Port Arthur News, Page 10, September 02, 1932)
Phelan Coffee Company was established that same year and was responsible for overseeing Phelan Grocery and Coffee Shop No. 1 and Phelan Grocery and Coffee Shop No. 2. (Ref: https://newspaperarchive.com/port-arthur-news-jan-08-1932-p-1/)
According to the Port Arthur News, Phelan Grocery packaged their coffee in cans and packages to be distributed across the Southern United States. (Ref: https://newspaperarchive.com/port-arthur-news-jan-31-1932-p-18/)
“A demonstrator will be in the booth to PHELAN GROCERY CO. Display of the Phelan Grocery company will concentrate on Phelan’s coffee in cans and packages. A large variety will be exhibited, and the display is attractively arranged.”
The warehouse for Phelan Grocery and Coffee Shop No. 1 was home to a motorcycle shop in 1975. The warehouse was a 7,000 square foot warehouse that had an 18' foot ceiling in height with an enclosed loading dock located in the rear. The shop had 2 rest rooms and an office. There was also an enclosed loading dock with a rail in the rear. Phone number of this motorcycle shop was 713-832-0211. (Ref: https://newspaperarchive.com/port-arthur-news-dec-20-1975-p-55/)
Today the warehouse building of Phelan Grocery and Coffee Shop No. 1 is now home to Sabine Universal Products, Inc as of 2021. 
Phelan Grocery and Coffee Shop No. 1 was located at 921 Houston Avenue, Port Arthur, Texas, US 77640.
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