After Many Robberies, This 1870 Detroit Shop Was Finally Demolished

This little unassuming structure is seen in pictures at the corner of Temple and Cochrane streets in Detroit. When it was built in the 1870s, the streets were named National Avenue and Bagg Street – and over the years it was home to a variety of owners.

According to eherg.com, after an addition was built in 1883, it was the home of James McInerney, a deputy sheriff who lived there with his mother. He died in December 1898, which left his mom all alone. She was the victim of a robbery attempt by a young boy in 1904 - he aimed a pistol at her, but she lunged at him and he ran away with his tail between his legs.

In 1910, Mrs. McInerney was gone and the building was now the W. J. Roberts Grocery. In 1919 it was sold and opened as the B. Hendy Grocery. In October 1920, the Detroit Common Council decided to change the name of Bagg Street to Temple Avenue in honor of Detroit’s Masonic Temple, which later became known as largest Masonic Temple in the world.

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In 1922, the store was occupied as Kalil’s Grocery, which lasted a few decades.

On June 29, 1962, one day after Detroit Tiger catcher/manager Mickey Cochrane passed away, the city chose to re-name National Avenue Cochrane Street in his honor.

During the 1960s, the building was Walter’s Market, with owner Walter Podbielski enduring a number of robberies in the next few years. On the night of June 24, 1963, an intruder was attempting a break-in when Walter shot him with his shotgun. It was an 18-year-old boy who died instantly.

The most recent business was #1 Spirits & Liquor until a demolition order was carried out in October 2025. Read the full story at eherg.com.