Throughout the 1920s and into the 1930s, New Raymer’s population hovered around the mid-two hundreds and the numerous businesses that lined Centre Avenue served both town residents and those who lived on area farms and ranches. In its description of the town, the WPA Guide to 1930s Colorado stated that “typical of frontier days are the wooden false-front buildings.” Interior photographs from around 1924-1930 show that the Seldins operated a tidy and well-stocked store filled with a variety of items that any rural resident might need or desire. Around 1930, Elias began advertising agricultural implements in addition to groceries and general merchandise. By the middle of the decade, agricultural implements appear to have become his mainstay. When the 1930 federal census was taken, Elias informed the enumerator that he was employed as both a merchant and farmer, and Sophia was recorded as a saleslady in their general store. The Seldin family was listed as residing on Centre Avenue and they clearly occupied the living quarters in the rear and second floor of the building. The two oldest girls, Alice and Bernice, were close in age and temperament, and probably roomed together. All three of the daughters attended school in New Raymer and helped their parents at the store. While they lived primarily at the store, the family also spent time on their farm, where Elias continued to raise dryland crops and feed hogs.