JANESVILLE — The vintage face of two businesses that operated in downtown Janesville in the past century have reemerged as part of a façade rehab.
A local real estate agent who now owns the building at 111 W. Milwaukee St. discovered two signs last week. They list the business names of Fannie May Kitchen Fresh Candies and Jeannette’s Maternity Wear and Lingerie.
Fannie May, a Chicago-based candy seller, was a well-established brand by 1966, according to a Christmas ad in The 69 that year. It noted that “there is a reason why Fannie May has remained a distinguished name in candy,” for many years, including in Janesville.
The maternity wear and lingerie store had opened in 1945, next door to the candy shop, according to an ad in The 69.
“Everyone has been wondering and waiting for the little shop next to Fannie May Candy Store to open. The time is now, the secret’s out… Janesville’s newest specialty shop is ready and waiting for your inspection,” read an ad that year.
Jeannette’s Maternity Wear and Lingerie sold purses, gloves, lingerie, blouses, hosiery, greeting cards and gifts for all occasions.
Clothing from Jeannette’s was featured in a fashion show hosted by the Janesville Jaycettes in 1957, suggesting what to wear at the annual Easter Parade.
Ronda Richter- Webber, a real estate agent now affiliated with Century 21, said her mother owned the building at 111 W. Milwaukee St., operating a Realty firm out of the space for many years called Richter Realty and Insurance.
Richter-Webber said after years of renting out the building she felt the facade looked dated and out of place. She applied for a grant through the Janesville Business Improvement District in 2023 and began chipping away at the façade.
“I have big plans for that location,” she noted. “It’s right across from where the Rock County Children’s Museum wants their space. I think with a better façade, more appropriate for the downtown, it could be something really neat.”
She said she wants glass to reach to the top of the storefront to reflect what it used to look like. In recent years, it “was very plain and just didn’t look like it fit the space,” she said.
Richter-Webber Webber remembers walking downtown as a young girl and passing the many clothing shops and bakeries. She said she hopes downtown Janesville is returning to being that kind of destination.
She said she also remembers when Fannie May moved to Main Street and later to the Janesville Mall.
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