As Madera moved into the 1940s, many looked forward to the return of good times. The Great Depression was over, and Prohibition had wilted away. Agriculture had replaced lumber as the town’s economic base, and business downtown was booming.
J.C. Penny, on the corner of E Street and Yosemite Avenue, was offering the latest in fashions at low, low prices, and Montgomery Ward was shocking the town with its Wednesday sales, one of which featured a 20-gallon washer with a “famous” Lovell wringer for $36.95. A deal could be made with nothing down and a mere $4 per month.
For those interested in transportation, Emilio Pistoresi offered Maderans a new Dodge from his F Street store for $898, and one could buy a new Ford at Shuman & Nichols for $854. The Miller Motor Company took care of the Buick lovers, while Conrad Shebelut handled the Chevrolet die-hards.