BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—If you walk the 100 block of South Sandusky Avenue today, you’ll pass three buildings that quietly tell the story of Bucyrus. For more than a century, the storefronts at 120, 122, and 124 South Sandusky Avenue have seen it all. From candy and groceries to real estate and insurance, this block has changed with the times while keeping its place at the heart of downtown life.
From Shoes to Sweets
In 1895, D. Snyder’s Shoe Store stood at 120 South Sandusky, offering fine tan and black leather shoes “one door south of Baumoel’s.”
Just a few years later, 124 South Sandusky became home to the Bucyrus Candy Kitchen, a popular spot for homemade chocolates and quick 25-cent lunches. It was the place to go for a meal, a sweet treat, or a soda on a warm afternoon.
By the 1920s, the Candy Kitchen had expanded into the American Bakery, filling the air downtown with the smell of fresh bread and pastries.
The Grocery Revolution
The 1920s also brought big change to 122 South Sandusky. On November 19, 1921, Piggly Wiggly opened its doors, introducing Bucyrus to the self-service grocery store. Shoppers could now walk the aisles and pick up items on their own instead of handing a list to a clerk.
The store’s grand opening promised “a flower free to each visitor” and invited people to browse freely. It was a sign of progress and a glimpse of modern retail taking hold in small-town Ohio.
At the same time, Morris 5 & 10 Cent Store opened at 120 South Sandusky, offering a variety of household items, toys, and goods for every need. The three businesses worked together to make the block a one-stop shop for Bucyrus families.
The Palm Supper Club Era
By the early 1940s, the upstairs rooms above 122 and 124 South Sandusky had taken on a whole new personality. That’s when The Palm Supper Club opened, offering dining, dancing, and entertainment that drew guests from across north-central Ohio.
Operated by A. P. “Gus” Topper, the club featured elegant meals, live music, and even roulette wheels. Murals of horse races and boxing matches lined the walls, and some of those paintings still exist today.
While the nightlife came alive upstairs, the ground floor below housed a Firestone Tire & Rubber Store, which provided tire repair and service for the busy postwar years. Bucyrus was a place that worked hard by day and celebrated by night.
Fire and Resilience
In 1952, a large fire destroyed the Morris 5 & 10 and damaged nearby storefronts, including Firestone and Baumoel’s. The buildings at 122 and 124 survived, though heavily damaged, and were quickly repaired. Bucyrus kept moving forward, determined to rebuild and restore what mattered most.
New Businesses, Same Spirit
As retail shifted through the decades, the block continued to evolve.
120 South Sandusky later became home to Lillo’s Carpet Outlet, then T’s to Tuxes, followed by Logos & Lettering, and eventually Dostal & Kirk Insurance & Financial Services, which remains there today.
122 South Sandusky transitioned into professional offices including Kenn S. Brause Realty & Auction, Rindfuss Realty, and the law office of Jack Felgenhauer.
124 South Sandusky moved from Firestone to modern offices and now houses TLC Medical Supply and Mobile Radiology Associates.
Each era brought a new kind of business, but the spirit of the block stayed the same: local, hardworking, and community-focused.
120 South Sandusky
122 South Sandusky
124 South Sandusky and The Palm Supper Club
