This story has been submitted by the Logan County History Center:
By: Mary E. Mortimer
Wolfheim’s Clothing Store operated in Bellefontaine for over 120 years. They were initially known for their fine collection of men’s and boy’s clothing. When Levi’s jeans became popular, they had one of the largest selections in the area.
In 1875, Robert Wolfheim opened a clothing store for men and boys on the corner of Main St and Court Ave in Bellefontaine. Two years later, he moved his store to the Buckeye Block on S. Main St.
A September 11, 1885, Bellefontaine newspaper article stated that “Mr. Wolfheim’s goods are all tailor-made and warranted to fit. He also has a very large and well-selected stock of beautiful neckwear and gents’ furnishing goods. His line of white and colored shirts, collars, cuffs, and underwear is unexcelled in the county, matchless in price and quality. Mr. Wolfheim undoubtedly keeps the best stock and latest styles of gentlemen’s hats in the county. He also keeps a large supply of overalls, gloves, warm overcoats, and other seasonal goods for the farmers.”
Herman Herskovitz, who had been an employee since the store opened, became a partner with Wolfheim in 1889. They then leased a 130’ long room in the Lawrence Building at 122 S. Main St. and stocked it with $25,000 worth of prominent clothing.
Wolfheim and Herskovitz sold the R. Wolfheim & Co. business to Adolph Rosenberg in 1907. Rosenberg, a native of Czechoslovakia, came to the United States alone in 1889 at the age of fourteen. He worked in clothing stores at Carrollton and Crestline, Ohio, before moving to Bellefontaine. Herbert Buchenroth began his clothing store career at Wolfheim’s in 1917. He then went on to co-own Huber’s Men’s Store, Buchenroth’s, and Huber-Buchenroth.
In 1923, the store moved to 118 S. Main St. when the Woolworth Co. purchased the building. The F.W. Woolworth Co. 5 and 10 Cent Store occupied the store spaces at 120 -122 S. Main St. until January 1957. Henry Weisz began working for his uncle Adolph Rosenberg at Wolfheim’s in 1949 after graduating from Ohio State University.
Wolfheim’s moved to their final site at 136 S. Main St. in 1958. They had to vacate the Lawrence Building because it was being remodeled for a new J.C. Penney store. Employees at that time were Henry Weisz, Edmond Weisz, Ruth Neeld, Norma Wolford, and Tom Hare.
In 1963, Rosenberg passed away and left his store to his brother-in-law, Edmund Weisz, and nephew, Henry. The next year, Weisz purchased Huber’s Men’s Wear store at 111 W. Columbus Ave. In May 1985, Huber’s and Buchenroth’s merged into one facility at 120-122 W. Columbus Ave. The new Huber-Buchenroth store was managed by Jim Greer, who was vice president of Wolfheim’s Inc.
Henry Weisz took sole ownership of Wolfheim’s after his father’s death in 1975. In 1981, Weisz purchased the former Brayton Shoe Store adjacent to Wolfheim’s and combined the two spaces to increase the store’s size to 3,000 square feet. At that time, Wolfheim’s began selling women’s clothing, including slacks, blazers, skirts, and blouses. Weisz, Ruth Buck, and Ruth Neeld did minor alterations.
He received the Exchange Club’s Beautification Award shortly after he remodeled his store.
After being in the clothing business for nearly fifty years, Weisz made the decision in 1996 to close Wolfheim’s. At the time Wolfheim’s closed, they were thought to be the second-oldest clothing store in Ohio. Weisz continued to be involved with Huber-Buchenroth until the store closed in 2005.
In a September 1, 2012, interview with the Bellefontaine Examiner, Henry Weisz reflected on the history of Wolfheim’s and said he saw many different fads come and go in his years as a clothing retailer, but there was nothing like the Levi Strauss revolution that helped buoy his clothing stores for decades. “I wasn’t sure what to expect at first, but boy, Levi’s went like gangbusters. Levi Strauss just about stocked our store.”
He also stated that he didn’t know much about the fads of the day, especially for girls, but relied upon the young people he employed to assist the patrons at his shop. “Missy Scott and Denise Oberdier ran the woman’s side and did an outstanding, fantastic job. Jim Rife and I ran the men’s side.”
Wolfheim’s had two long-term bookkeepers at the store. Alice McAra worked as a bookkeeper from 1915 to 1955, and Ruth Neeld from 1955 to 1987. Wolfheim’s was one of the last stores in Bellefontaine to accept credit cards. For many years, customers charged their purchases and made payments. Wolfheim’s was a clothing staple for more than 120 years. They provided excellent quality clothing and accessories at a reasonable price.
Henry Weisz was also the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award through the Logan County Chamber of Commerce. He is remembered as a kind-hearted soul and who was a friend to all.
Visit the Logan County History Center to learn more interesting aspects of Logan County History. The History Center is open for tours Wednesday – Sunday from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Admission is free.
