Grocery Stores Tour Map

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Tour Information Sources: Helen Fife Ehrhart compiled the original research. Richard Gemmill photographed the grocery stores (except #2) as they appeared in 1948. Cathy Bankoske updated the original research.

Stop #1: Dallastown Historical Society 118 E Main Street

DHS, founded 2001, seeks to preserve and promote the history of Dallastown, PA through its archival collections, museum exhibits, programming, website, and Facebook page. Our museum is open to the public the first Sunday of the month from 1 PM to 4 PM. Memberships and volunteer opportunities are available.

Directions: Exit museum front door and turn left (west) on Main St to Stop #2 32 E Main St

Stop # 2 Sechrist Bros. Butcher Shop 32 East Main Street

The business was started by Jacob Sechrist and his sons, George and Harry Sechrist, in 1878. Four generations later, this business continues under George III and Jacob II Sechrist. Their hot dogs have received national honors.

Directions: Continue west for Stop #3 2 East Main

Stop # 3 W.R. Fife and Sons Groceries 2 East Main Street

Between 1875 and 1900 Jacob or Ben Spotz built a home on this site. Later the Spotz family moved to the second floor and the building was used for various businesses: Jacob and Nettie Eberly’s restaurant, Lee Warner’s pool hall and ice cream parlor, and Tony DiLeo’s shoemaker shop. Winfield R. Fife opened as W.R. Fife’s in 1940. In the 1950s, ‘Free delivery’ was advertised, front and back additions built, and name changed to Fife’s Food Market, an A.G. Food Store. The family sold the store in 1978. Now it is Roma’s Pizza.

Directions: Continue west for Stop #4 46/48 West Main Street

Stop # 4 Howard Shenberger’s Store 46/48 West Main Street

This building dates to 1897, owned by Elmer Hess. By 1930, Howard Shenberger’s store opened here, selling everything from food, clothing, shoes, school supplies, hardware, feed, glass, and notions – a true general store. The Shenberger Family – Leon, Stewart, and Pauline – all worked in the store, one of the Community Pure Food Stores that were a staple in York County in the 1940s. After this store closed, the building successively housed Jane Moore’s Dress Shop, Pauline Alwine’s Dress Shop, Treasured Tales - a used bookstore, and Strutt Your Mutt dog grooming with apartments above.

Directions: Continue west for Stop # 5 376 West Main Street

*Stop # 5 Martin Knaper’s Grocery Store 376 West Main Street

This store was an Aunt Nellie’s Food Store with many owners over the years: Curvin Conway, Curvin and Tilly Schmuck, Jacob and Maggie Waughtel, Martin and Ida Knaper, Jim and Isabelle Reachard, Mr. Gentzler, Coffee Mitzel, Bill and Mary Shenberger, Jessie Kohler, and Dominic Devono. Mr. Devono was the last grocery store owner. That store survived into the 1980’s. Later it was an antique store and then Boyd’s Furniture Store. Now it is a residence, possibly apartments.

Directions: Cross Main St and turn right (east) for Stop # 6 323 West Main St

*Stop # 6 Ehrhart Grocery 323 West Main Street

This was originally a store operated by Jacob Leese (years unknown). In 1930 it was the Charles Hartman Grocery Store and was one of the Yorktowne Service Stores. It was later sold to Llewellyn Ehrhart (possibly 1936), who had a store here well into the 1950’s. In the early ‘50s they advertised “Groceries, General Merchandise, and Feed”; by 1954 the advertisements read “Self Service Grocery” – which was just gaining popularity.

Directions: Continue east for Stop # 7 5 East Main Street

Stop # 7 Harvey Deardorff Green Grocer 5 East Main Street

(The store was on the right side of the semi-detached building.) By 1936 Harvey Deardorff had a retail license in Dallastown and ran a grocery store for quite a few years. This location was later the site of Helen Smith’s Beauty Parlor with apartments above. This continues as an apartment building.

Directions: Continue east for Stop # 8 63 East Main Street

Stop # 8 Stewart’s Food Store 63 East Main Street

Stewart’s, owned by Stewart Shenberger, was another Community Pure Food Store. Former owners were Bill and Minnie Sechrist. It then became Leader’s Music Store, Jacoby’s Unpainted Furniture Store, Dean Johnson Insurance, and Todd Clewell Insurance. It is now an apartment building.

Directions: Continue east for Stop # 9 209 East Main Street

Stop # 9 Keiffer’s Food Market 209 East Main Street,

with the store front on East Locust Street. The owner of the store was either McKinley Dellinger or Joe Keiffer. It then passed to Carlton Waltimyer who opened a grocery store and later an antiques store in it. Now, the home portion is occupied, but the store front has been vacant for many years.

Directions: Continue east to Park Street for Stop # 10 377 East Main St

*Stop # 10 Henry Ryer Store 377 East Main St

It appears to originally have been Simon General Store, but that did not have a long duration. At some point it was sold to Richard and Janet Heikes, and later to James Tyson, who opened a grocery store. It is now apartments.

Directions: Cross Main Street, turn left (east) for Stop # 11 476 East Main St

*Stop # 11 Bob Lentz Grocery Store 476 East Main Street

The store was bought by Mr. and Mrs. Pierce Streavig in 1953 and known as Streavig’s Meat Market. It had a large, enclosed ramp leading into the store. At some point it burned down and reopened as Streavig Grocery Store. In 1997 it became The Grocery Bargain Bin, later it was Sal’s Little Italy Restaurant, and is currently (2023) Parma Pizza and Grill.

Directions: Continue west on Main St to Pleasant Ave and turn left for #12 114 S Pleasant Ave

Stop # 12 Heindel’s Grocery Store circa 1960’s 114 South Pleasant Avenue

Located behind the High School on Charles Street, this Community Pure Food Store owned by Emory W. Heindel was a popular after school stop. Groceries, Ball-Band Gym Shoes, and Feed were sold. The store closed in the 1960’s and is now a residence.

Directions: Return to Main Street and turn left to return to the museum.