In November of 1950, the old Illinois Central train depot in the 500 block of N. Market Street got temporarily repurposed and was occupied as a grocery store for twenty years. Upon its original opening it was called Daniel’s Super Market, 514 N. Market St., and drew over 2,000 people who made purchases in the store. During the opening the store gave away 2,500 orchids to women who visited the store.
Per a Marion Daily Republican photo accompanying the store opening, the owner was Joe Daniels of Daniels Food Stores, Noel Walker, manager, and James Moore, store supervisor.
The store had previously been occupying a location at 400 N. Market where the old Marion Opera House had been.
According to city directories, around 1960, the store name changed to the Marion Warehouse Market and remained so until 1970 when it was closed, just prior to the Illinois Central selling the depot and tracks to the city and the Crab Orchard and Egyptian Railroad.
(Marion Daily Republican, November 17, 1950; Marion City Directories; By Sam Lattuca on 12/30/2013)