J.W. Hovey worked for John Slusher at this location from 1920 to 1927. He purchased the store in June 1927, when the Hovey family moved into the living quarters above the store and lived there until 1936. In 1949, a much larger brick building was constructed around the existing one, with the rear half built first. After both stories of that section were completed, all of the stock was moved to the finished first floor area, and the store operated from the rear entrance while construction continued on the front half. The store remained open for business during the three-year construction period. It became a landmark for the City of La Porte, and its top floor was a Toy Land with a train that ran around the store, drawing people from miles around to watch the train, shop, and enjoy the view from the top floor.