Digital Division
503 Division St
Kelly Building
est. 1907
Built in 1907 at 503 Division Street, the Kelly Building is actually one of Division’s newer additions. After the town’s founding in 1855, its commercial district was quickly built from the ground up over the next three decades. Most downtown buildings date back to the 19th century. The Kelly Building, however, still has a rich history. It was occupied by a laundry business for much of the early 1900s before its renovation in the 1960s. This was one of the first of a wave of remodelings across downtown in the decades that followed, a movement that sought to preserve structures’ historic character while also enabling them to continue past the point of starting to deteriorate. None better exemplified this mission than Dallas Haas, a developer who initiated several renovation projects in the 80s and 90s. (Visit the Archer House lot at 212 Division and the Nutting Block at 220 Division to learn more!)
The Kelly Building’s original architectural style— and many of its actual original features—still exist. For instance, the second floor corbels and window arches have overlooked Division Street since all the way back in 1907. Shortly after these changes, new ownership took over and a now immortalized community centerpiece was established: the Rueb ‘N’ Stein. This restaurant expanded to include the property to the north and south of 503 Division after Joe Grundhoefer bought the joint in 1982, but Rueb ‘N’ Stein saw its start within just these walls. After 49 years of service, 36 of them under Grundy’s guidance, the Rueb closed down in 2017. But, Reunion has picked up right where the Rueb left off, providing that same service to the community and quickly becoming a beloved Northfield business.
