In old Penza, there were many specialized shops. Some sold clothing, others traded in weapons, and others, like merchant Ilyin, dealt in fruits and vegetables. His store was located at 41 Moskovskaya Street.

The building has not survived to this day; it was demolished in the mid-20th century during the construction of Fountain Square. This two-story structure occupied a small area and stood closely to other houses. However, it stood out among the others with its original design. Merchant Alexander Kuznetsov wrote that "two windows of the store were filled with oranges, pomegranates, tangerines, pears, and Crimean apples, small boxes of dried fruits were stacked in pyramids, and nearby, tin containers with Ufa honey." The assortment amazed with its variety, and the residents of Penza knew where to find rare exotic goods. Merchant Yegor Ilyin worked directly with foreign suppliers and brought American nuts, pistachios, paprika, Egyptian figs, and dates to Penza. For sweet tooths, his store was a true Mecca. The sellers carefully wrapped the fruits in paper bags, which were provided for free.

During the NEP years, the former Ilyin's store housed Penza Spichtrest, which sold matches, a highly sought-after product at the time. The building was demolished in the 1970s during the development of Fountain Square.