Droege's Grocery - John G's Tap Room - Washington, MO - Photos Then and Now on Waymarking.com

County of building: Franklin County
Location of building: W. Main St. & Lafayette St., NW corner, Washington
Built: 1895
Architectural Style: Second Empire
Classified: B-3 & commercial
Current Occupant: John G's Tap Room & Bier Deck & Brewing Company on main floor, apartments 2nd and 3rd floor and basement
District Map

"Paralleling the mainstream neoclassical mode, the newer Italianate fashion made its first appearance in domestic architecture, but was more widely adopted in later commercial buildings of the 1880s and 90s. Italianate traits usually are limited to cornice treatment. Although round-arched openings were a popular Italianate stylistic element employed in even modest buildings elsewhere in Missouri, Washington builders almost exlusively adhered to the segmental arch. The Italianate and closely related Second Empire or Mansard styles eventually supplanted the neoclassical as the fashionable commercial image in Washington. Most examples are concentrated along Main Street (Photos tt 15,16). The profiles of their prominent projecting cornices and dormered mansard roofs introduced a new visual dimension which enlivened the streetscape. ... The largest representative of the Second Empire style, 107-11 W. Main was built in 1895 as a general store by John F. Droege, a native of Hannover, Germany, born in 1843. The building's Italianate cornice of corbeled brickwork deviates from the usual metal or wood bracketed examples. A sophistication of design is displayed in the pavilion-like effect of the center three bays which are stepped forward, separately roofed, and trimmed with iron cresting.

"The two largest stores in town were both constructed in 1895 for successful merchants who had operated general stores in Washington for many years. John G. Droege's new nine-bay building at 107-11 W.Main fronted 60 feet on Main with a depth of 85 feet. A special feature for the vehicles and horses of the farm trade was a large "Wagon Yard" with covered stalls and feed boxes located at the rear of the store." ~ NRHP Nomination Form, PDF pages, 16, 17 & 20

"Augusta Brewing Company’s Tap Room is located at John G’s in historic Washington, MO. The dining room at the Tap Room, the Rumpus Room & Perch, and John G’s Bier Deck all offer the perfect backdrop to enjoy award winning beers. Following the long tradition of the Droege family, the brewery and tap room are located in the building Droege’s Supermarket called home for over 118 years. The main floor and bar area provide ample seating for over 160 patrons, and a pleasurable place to enjoy a draft beer from a truly American brewery, as well as wines and some hard liquor beverages. Look down and see the fermentation process at work, providing a birds eye view of the brewery. Tours of the brewery will also be offered during the weekend. While enjoying your beverage of choice, sit down and have a delicious meal from our full menu with items like the famous John G’s Burger or our wings. If you are planning a social event, such as a reception or business meeting, the Tap Room offers a conference area in a back room large enough to seat 100. Come join us at John G’s and Augusta Brewery Tap Room for a good meal, a good brew, in a comfortable, enjoyable setting." ~ Augusta Brewing Company