BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—The mid-block storefronts at 115 and 117 S. Sandusky Avenue have been part of Bucyrus life for more than 130 years. Their brick walls have seen wallpaper and wall décor, medicine and furniture, wedding rings and T-shirts. Sometimes the buildings operated together, housing large stores that stretched across both addresses. Other times, they stood apart, offering Bucyrus residents very different shopping experiences side by side.

What never changed was their purpose: to serve the community.

Wallpaper, Books and Music (Late 1800s)

The earliest advertisements date back to 1888, when A. C. Lewis ran a Drug, Book, and Wall Paper Store at 115 S. Sandusky. His shop claimed an astonishing 15,000 rolls of wallpaper in stock, along with paints, oils, and varnishes.

By the 1890s, Ed. Kern had expanded operations across 115 and 117, offering not only wallpaper and stationery but also musical instruments and supplies. For Bucyrus families, these storefronts were practical, cultural, and creative resources all rolled into one.

The Rexall and Pharmacy Years (Early 1900s–1940s)

In the early 20th century, the two addresses became best known for their pharmacies.

  • J. E. Kern & Bro. brought the Rexall Drug Store brand to Bucyrus, operating across both 115 and 117. Rexall was more than a pharmacy. It sold candy, tea, tobacco, stationery, and gifts. The popular “Rexall Week” sales filled pages of the Evening Telegraph, advertising discounted remedies and everyday goods.
  • Upstairs, professional offices filled the second floors. One example was Dr. H. E. Burnett, a dentist whose office overlooked Sandusky Avenue from above Rexall.
  • At 117, Kiess Pharmacy became a community name, advertising Lower’s Prescription Cough Syrup and offering Mother’s Day specials on chocolates, perfume, and compact mirrors.

For decades, these stores anchored Bucyrus’ downtown, providing everything from health care to holiday gifts.

Furniture, Fashion and Variety (1930s–1970s)

As Bucyrus grew, the buildings changed with it.

  • In the 1930s, Morgan’s Furniture Co. operated at 115, promoting mohair living room suites and budget-friendly installment plans.
  • By the 1940s, Gray’s Cut Rate Drugs had taken over, proudly calling itself “The Giant of Them All.” Gray’s was Bucyrus’ largest drugstore, selling medicine, appliances, rubber goods, candy, and more. It became a household name and a shopping destination.
  • Meanwhile at 117, businesses like Morris (117–119) sold housewares — aprons, garden hoses, aluminum foil, fig bars, and more.
  • Later, The Gayety Shop turned 117 into a women’s fashion boutique, advertising spring blouses, jewelry, and lingerie. Its final close-out sale made headlines with the promise that “absolutely nothing [was] above five dollars.”

Jewelry and Specialty Shops (1970s–1980s)

By the 1970s, 117 S. Sandusky was home to Wise Jewelry. Known as “The Bride’s Gift Store,” Wise carried engagement rings, wedding bands, diamonds, watches, and clocks. The shop also offered trophies, plaques, and engraving.

For years, it was where Bucyrus couples went to buy wedding rings and mark life’s milestones. By the mid-1980s, Wise Jewelry held a “Going Out of Business” sale, closing another memorable downtown chapter.

Shirts, Printing and Festival Spirit (1980s–1990s)

117 quickly reinvented itself as The Shirt Off My Back, a family-run clothing and screen printing business. With the slogan “A Shirt for Every Body,” it offered custom designs, sports uniforms, and plenty of Bratwurst Festival souvenirs.

The store leaned into community pride, advertising alongside First Federal and keeping a strong presence during the festival each summer. It eventually merged with The Clothes Line at 120 S. Sandusky, but not before cementing its place in Bucyrus’ small business history.

Thrift and Consignment (1990s)

After The Shirt Off My Back moved, 117 became home to Good Buys Thrift Shop. Its Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting made the papers, celebrated as a needed addition to downtown. The shop carried clothing, children’s items, toys, luggage, and household goods, continuing the tradition of variety and accessibility.

First Federal Community Bank of Bucyrus (1997–Today)

The ties between these buildings and local banking go back decades, reaching as far as the days of First Federal Savings & Loan Co. of Bucyrus.

In 1997, First Federal formally purchased 115 S. Sandusky. Ownership later expanded to include 117, bringing both storefronts under the care of what is now First Federal Community Bank of Bucyrus.

Although neither building functions as a public branch, they remain vital parts of the bank’s operations. Today, 115 and 117 house offices for First Federal staff and have also hosted nonprofit tenants such as Crawford Works. In continuing to maintain these buildings, First Federal ensures that they remain active contributors to downtown Bucyrus.

More Than Storefronts

From wallpaper rolls to Rexall remedies, from Wise Jewelry diamonds to Bratwurst Festival T-shirts, the histories of 115 and 117 S. Sandusky Avenue mirror Bucyrus itself. These buildings have adapted to each era and never sat idle for long.

Today, under the stewardship of First Federal Community Bank of Bucyrus, the addresses continue to serve the community. Their stories remind us that Bucyrus’ strength has always been its ability to change with the times while keeping service at the heart of everything.