Rider Grocery Store

	Rider's Grocery Store. Henry F. Rider was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on May 15, 1860, the son of George and Margaret Rider. The early years of his life were spent at his birthplace and he came to Niles in 1864, where he took an active part in the civic and church work of this community. L: photograph of Henry F. Rider. R: George Rider's discharge paper from the Grand Army of the Republic, known as the Union Army.

Henry and Elizabeth (Stein) Rider standing on the side of H.F. Rider Grocery Store at 142 Vienna Avenue.	On August, 29, 1889, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Stein. In 1905, he started the grocery business which he conducted until the time of his death and in the same location in which it has always been located (142 Vienna Avenue). Henry and his wife lived in the second floor above the store. His son, Howard, has been associated with his father in the store. Surviving him are his wife, Elizabeth; a son, Howard; two brothers, Leonard and John Rider, both of Niles; and two grandchildren, Myrtle Ann and Howard Rider, Jr. Location of the Rider Store on the 1918 map.	The Vienna Avenue store soon after Henry Rider had opened in 1905. Pictured: Henry F. Rider, Howard H. Rider, Jr., Myrtle, Elizabeth and Clyde Rider.

Henry behind the store with one of the horses that pulled the H.F. Rider Store wagon to deliver groceries and dry goods.	Pictured in the photo to the right are: Howard H. Rider, Sr., the shorter woman is his sister Myrtle Rider, who died at the age of 28 and sister Clyde Rider. She never married and taught at the old Cedar Street School. She lost her sight but received her second sight. Rider memories: When H.H. Rider was born, his sister Myrtle had wanted a ‘Peter Rabbit’ instead of a baby brother so he was called ‘Pete’ from then on. Now you know the rest of the story. Rider’s allowed credit during WWII to families that couldn’t pay and always gave cookies to the children. H.H. Rider, Sr. and Herb and Russ Stein were first cousins, so Elizabeth Stein was a sibling to the Stein’s father. H.H. Rider played football with the Steins and said that Herb Stein was a bugger to tackle. In those days, you had to say that you were down to be tackled. Follow the link to read about the Steins as All-American football players: www.nileshistoricalsociety.org/stnfb.htm

		Left: The modernization of the method for delivering food to customers. Chester Hughes is shown hanging on the side of the truck. Chester delivered the groceries to city customers. Pete Rider then took over the deliveries in 1941. During the WW2, Pete had his drivers license at 14, but was only to use it delivering. Always carried a pound of coffee in the back when doing other things. Needless to say he was very popular with the guys and gals. Middle: Henry with his car beside the store.


	Carol Rider Hill—Howard H. Rider was born on Circle Street (apartments now). Howard H. Jr. (my dad) was born in the house on corner of Cedar and Hughes (next door to where I grew up). I am so proud of my parents and family. They had a terrific effect on Niles and Trumbull County in so many ways!	The building at 142 Vienna Avenue, where the Rider's Grocery Store opened in 1905, is still standing and is occupied today (2021). The second floor has been remodeled. Thomas G. Rider—When Riders closed in 1957 the Macali’s bought most of the hardscape equipment from inside the grocery store.

	“This is the house on Circle Street that Henry built and HH grew up there. When Henry died, his wife Elizabeth moved to the apartment above the store building and lived there with Myrtle and Clyde while HH lived here on Circle Street until he was married and built a house at 621 North Cedar. My father, HH Jr. (Pete) and his sister Myrtle Ann were born in the Cedar Street house and my father bought the house on Circle Street. They took down two coal sheds in the back of the Circle Street house to build a cabin in 1946 on land in Howland on a dirt path that became Warwick Drive by what is now the back entrance to the mall. They would go there on weekends. HH Sr. built a house on that property and moved there in 1951, the year I was born as my father purchased the home of Dr. Roy Davis at 615 Cedar Street after Doc Davis purchased the 621 Cedar Street From HH Sr. Confusing isn’t it?” — Tom Rider