BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—Downtown Bucyrus has always been a place where storefronts tell the story of the community. One of the busiest addresses over the last century and a half has been 125 South Sandusky Avenue. Before it became office space for First Federal Community Bank, the building was home to a colorful succession of businesses that reflected Bucyrus’s evolving needs, tastes, and traditions.

A Fashionable Start (Late 1800s)

The story begins in the 1880s and 1890s, when the address was associated with fashion and footwear. Cahill, Walker and Hoffman operated a millinery shop, offering finely crafted hats for the women of Crawford County. By the late 1880s, J. Correll Boots and Shoes had set up shop, advertising boots, shoes, rubbers, and slippers. For early Bucyrus shoppers, 125 S. Sandusky was the place to buy footwear that lasted.

The Busy Bee Era (Early 1900s)

As Bucyrus grew, the address shifted from fashion to food. Around the 1910s, the Busy Bee Restaurant became a downtown fixture, staying open day and night. The Busy Bee provided meals and a gathering place for residents, marking the first of several restaurant ventures at the site.

Shoes, Hats, and Shines (1920s)

By the 1920s, 125 S. Sandusky once again leaned toward personal goods. George’s Place offered hat cleaning, reblocking, and shoe shining. In 1925, the Merit Shoe Company, a national chain, opened Store No. 87 in Bucyrus, promising quality shoes at rock bottom prices.

The Isaly’s Years (1930s–1960s)

Perhaps the most fondly remembered chapter began in the 1930s, when Isaly’s Dairy Store moved in. Known for its ice cream, Swiss cheese, and deli counter, Isaly’s became a Bucyrus institution. Families stopped in for cones, cakes, and holiday treats. Ads from the 1940s and 50s featured everything from Santa Claus Molds of ice cream to rich egg nog mix.

In the 1950s, ownership shifted locally to Russell and Elnora Patton, who continued the Isaly’s tradition before rebranding the space as Patton’s Parlor. For a time, it even partnered with Michael’s House of Donuts out of Galion, serving fresh donuts alongside the familiar dairy products.

Shops, Auctions, and Hallmark (1970s–1980s)

After the Patton era, the building briefly hosted auctions of restaurant equipment in the 1970s. By 1980, it took on a new identity as The Carousel, a Hallmark Cards and Gifts store. This marked the start of a long retail chapter that continued into the 1990s.

Petty’s Hallmark and the Gift Shop Tradition (1980s–1990s)

In the 1980s and early 1990s, the store became Petty’s Cards and Gifts, later known as Petty’s Hallmark. The shop carried greeting cards, collectibles, and holiday décor, continuing the gift shop tradition at 125 S. Sandusky Ave. For many, Petty’s was a go-to destination for thoughtful cards and gifts.

Spiceberry Lane and Almost Heaven (2000s)

In 2002, Bucyrus natives Joanne Lippert and Marcia Griebling opened Spiceberry Lane Gift Gallery at the location. Their shop featured Amish chocolates, gourmet foods, candles, florals, and unique giftware. A tea room in the back added to its charm.

By the mid 2000s, Spiceberry Lane joined forces with Almost Heaven Christian Gifts, combining their selections of books, lace, jewelry, and home décor under one roof. This marked the final retail chapter of 125 S. Sandusky before its transformation into office space.

A Place of Commerce, A Place of Community

From millinery and shoe shops to ice cream counters, restaurants, gift galleries, and card shops, 125 S. Sandusky Avenue has been a constant presence in downtown Bucyrus life for more than 120 years. Each business reflected not just the era’s economy, but also the rhythms of everyday life, whether stopping in for a cone at Isaly’s, buying Christmas ornaments at Petty’s Hallmark, or enjoying scones at Spiceberry Lane.

Today, the building serves as professional space for First Federal Community Bank, but its walls still hold the memory of generations of Bucyrus businesses and the customers they welcomed.