GRAND RAPIDS – Restaurateur Dave LaRoe is among the recipients of the Ohio History Connections 2014 State
Historic Preservation Awards. The award is for the preservation and rehabilitation of LaRoe’s Restaurant
in Grand Rapids.
The restaurant on Front Street is housed in two buildings that were built in the 1880s to house Kerr’s
Dry Goods. The two brick buildings were the sole survivors of the 1898 fire that destroyed all the other
buildings on the north side of the main street. Despite fires and the occasional flood, LaRoe purchased
the property in 1978. Rehabilitation of the Kerr buildings began in 1981. Dropped ceilings were removed
and new tin ceilings were installed. The original wood bar and floors were restored. Upstairs, the
original woodwork was cleaned and refinished. Extensive work has also been done on the exterior of the
buildings over the years.
Of the 12 Preservation Merit Awards presented statewide, only two were awarded to Northwest Ohio
projects. In addition, LaRoe’s was one of only two awards presented to an individual. Most of the awards
went to architectural firms, government properties and institutions.
Numerous members of the Grand Rapids Historical Society, friends and family members accompanied LaRoe to
the Ohio History Center in Columbus to witness the award presentation.