2012 Holmes County Chamber Large Business of the Year
Lehmans remains true to its roots
By Dave Mast
February 11, 2013
391
While Amish Country draws millions to the area each year, without a doubt one of the biggest names that connects big city folks to down-home Amish traditions is Lehmans.
The Kidron store, which has a branch in Mt. Hope, has been drawing tourists to Amish Country for decades, since 1955, when Jay Lehman made it a point to tell the world about the quality craftsmanship and staying power of the old-fashioned Amish way of life, and various hardware, tools, kitchen appliances and other Amish ways that have proven to last throughout generations.
The store became an instant success with the Amish community, but perhaps even Jay couldnt have envisioned the way the store would take off, garnering fans worldwide because of the stores unique inventory.
Yet Lehmans foresight in predicting the desire for many of these old-fashioned products was on the mark, as was his dedication to another tried and true Amish tradition.
I dont think Ive ever known anybody more accomplished and more humble than my dad is, said Galen Lehman, Jays son. Eighty-three years old, he still works every day, so that is the secret to youth.
Jay Lehman not only has given the world countless non-electric Amish merchandise options, but obviously he has lived his life according to the hard-working Amish ideals that his store has promoted during the past half century.
At the annual Holmes County Chamber banquet, presenter Rob Hovis painted a brief picture of the history of the Holmes County Chambers Large Business Award recipient, Lehmans.
Lehmans was created in 1955, when Jay Lehman opened a hardware store with a product line aimed at Amish customers. His concern, Hovis said, was that the products would no longer become available and with it a way of life was in danger of disappearing. Hovis said the result was a low tech superstore that today is the worlds largest purveyor of historic technology.
According to Hovis, Lehmans customers include missionaries and doctors working in underdeveloped countries, homesteaders and environmentalists living in remote areas and people who are just chronically nostalgic.
And it is all non-electric merchandise that harkens back to days of yore.
If you think it isnt made anymore, check with Lehmans, said Hovis. Lehmans makes it easy for people in all 50 states, and customers in countries all over the world, to do business.
Galen Lehman said that much of the joy of business has been remaining a part of the local community. The other thing he said he admires from his fathers vision is Lehmans commitment to what it represents.
A lot has changed, the community has not, said Galen Lehman.
Today, Jay watches as his children, Galen and Glenda, continue their fathers legacy and have recently doubled the retail store in Kidron with a giant renovation. Of course, they stayed true to their fathers theme, making an authentic 1840s barn their centerpiece.
The 32,000-square-foot store in Kidron includes four pre-Civil War buildings, with a buggy barn cinema.
Oil lamps, copper cookie cutters, tin and wooden toys, old-fashioned stoves and wood burners and more takes people back to simpler times.
As Hovis said, summing up the store and the family, At Lehmans, being old-fashioned is in fashion.
