It was 50 years ago when the Shaffer & Co. Variety Store, a Westminster institution close to the hearts of many children in town, closed.
After our recent columns in The Eagle regarding the Westminster Post Office building at the corner of Main Street and Longwell Avenue, a number of readers have been in touch with questions.
Several asked about the two buildings that once stood to the east of the post office in what is now a parking lot.
A Jan. 13, 1966, newspaper clipping provided by local historian George Welty, tells part of the story, noting that "the Stonesifer building (was) being demolished last week to make way for Post Office enlargement ..."
A second picture was identified: "These two buildings located on East Main Street next to the Post Office were completely demolished last week. … The store … located in the corner building will long be remembered as Schaffer's store, Jessie Myers having done business there for many years."
Most children in town knew the store as the "Shaffer Candy Store." Other knew it as "Myers' Candy Store."
Fortunately, 10 years ago, historian Jay Graybeal researched the history of the store for the Historical Society of Carroll County. Graybeal notes a newspaper article from Nov. 20, 1961, about the Shaffer store closing.
"A Westminster and Carroll County institution that is missed … closed shortly after the first of this year after 50 years of community service. … Jesse D. Myers closed the store with regret after having been associated with the business since 1917. Harry W. Shaffer founded the business in 1911 as a general merchandise store.
"Myers was employed by Mr. Shaffer for two weeks in 1917 when he was called as a National Guardsman, 29th Division, for war service. As a machine gunner, Mr. Myers served for two and one-half years. In 1921, Mr. Myers returned to Shaffer & Company and a partnership was formed."
"In 1922, Myers married the former Sarah Elizabeth Logue, daughter of Mary Beard Logue, near Warfieldsburg. Mrs. Myers worked with her husband in the store, taking time out to have three fine children … Howard, Jesse Jr., and Madeline E. Myers."
The year of 1921 was a banner one in the lives of local children in the community. According to the newspaper article, "the company sold practically everything from kitchen [utensils] to dry goods. A candy and cookies line was added in 1921.
"When candy and cookies were introduced … they immediately became the big sellers. That first year the firm sold two tons of candy. At the time the firm closed its doors in January 1961, Mr. Myers had sold 25 tons of candy."
This writer has fond memories of visiting the store — as often as funds would allow — in the late 1950s in search of satisfying my sweet tooth.
When he does not have his hand in the candy jar, Kevin Dayhoff may be reached at kevindayhoff@gmail.com.