#13 West-side Public Square: Albro Block-1872, High Block-c-1909

First National Bank Company Bank, William W. Pancoast, Cashier, (1872-1874)

In 1871 William W. Pancoast purchased the new James H. Albro Block and the First National Bank Company moved their offices from the Empire Block at #103 West Liberty Street in 1872.

1874 - In the good old days, as well as today, there were dishonest Bankers abroad in the land, as noted in the following heading in the Gazette. Suspension of the First National Bank of Medina Another Dishonest Bank Cashier," etc. The National bank examiner came on a regular official visit. He found the capital of the bank dissipated to about 50 per cent by the dishonesty of William W. Pancoast. The directors not being practical business men failed to detect his practices till about Jan. 1. Since then they had been persuading him to restore to the bank what he had stolen. His bank stock of 825,000 was paid for out of his stealing.

Brainard Jewelry, Hebert H. Brainard, Prop. (1874-1909)

1.  Herbert H. Brainard removed his jewelry business from the Empire block after the financial failure of the First National Bank Company in 1874.

2.  He bought gold coins at bank and snipped them up for gold chains.

3.  In 1880, Mr. O. M. Jackson has opened a shop in the rear room of H. H. Brainard’s jewelry store for making picture frames and has on hand a fine assortment of moldings.

4.  Herbert H. Brainard was elected the first President of the Medina Circulating Library Association in 1878, perhaps because he agreed to store the seventy library books in his jewelry store.

4.  In 1897, H. H. Brainard jewelry store has new large plate glass windows and vestibule doorway.

5.  H. H. Brainard moved his jewelry business to #4 Public Square in 1909 and the store was taken over by the George F.. High family.

High’s Jewelry Store, George F. High, Prop. (1909-1926)

1.  George F. High has just put into his jewelry store a magnificent new safe. The Diebold fire and burglar proof safe was made expressly to order and arranged for the accommodations of his goods.  The safe is 5 feet high, 41 inches wide and 36 inches deep.  It is a beauty.

2.  George F. High elegant clock in front of this business is at night lighted by electric lights in 1911. He had to pass a city ordinance in 1912 for the clock.

3.  Prior to 1870, a well and watering trough was where High’s clock is now in 1911.

4.  George F. High established a wireless outfit to receive time two times a day from Arlington, Va. in 1915.

High and Son Jewelry Store, George F. and Sidney High, Props. (1926-1945)

1.  A new walnut paneled show window was installed at High and Son Jewelry Store and the store will undergo other modern and attractive improvements in 1926.

2.  George F. High and Son (jewelry since 1876) remodeled display room in 1937

High’s Office Supply, (In Basement), Robert Kiefer, Prop. (1943-1963)

1.  Office supplies were on the first floor in 1942. They excavated the cellar in 1942 for a photographic and book storeroom. Now all business buildings on west side of the Public Square have basements.

High’s Jewelry Store, Sidney F. High, Prop. (1945-1976)

Little General Store, Mrs. Barbara Harris, Prop. (1965-1978)

1.  Sidney F. High sold jewelry business to Mrs. Barbara Harris operator of Little General Store in Medina.

J. R. Goldfinger Jewelry, Jim Harris, Prop. (1979-1984)

Medina Country Stove Company, Robert L. Harris. Prop. (1985-1988)

Medina Fireplace and Stove, Inc. (1989-2000)

Laplaca Jewelers, Justin Garcia and Vincent Garcia, Owners, (2001-Present)

This store was occupied by Brainard and High Jewelry for a consecutive 104 years.

#13.5 West-side Public Square: Albro Block-1872, High Block-1909

Summers Millinery Store, Mrs. F. M. Summers, Prop, (1894-1909)

George Smith, Attorney, (1910-1922)

Dr. H. F. Hange, Chiropractor, (1925-1930))

Dr. G. H. Mummaw, Chiropractor, 2nd Floor, (1931-1938)

Albert W. Madden, Optometrist, (1939-1940)

High Office Supply, Sidney High, Prop. (1941-1943)

High’s Jewelry Store Storage (1944-1976)

Unknown Proprietors or Occupants. (1977—2000)

Northstar Publishing, Inc. (2001-2004)

Carl D. Watson, (2001-2004)

Insurance Solutions of Medina, Scott Ewers, Prop. (2005-2006)

TR Trans Acquisition, Inc, (2007-2008)

Vacant, (2009-2018)

#17 West-side Public Square: Albro Bldg.-1844, Bostwick Building-1854, and Ferriman Bldg.-1872

Albro and Son Dry Goods Store, John Alberg Albro and James Harvey Albro, Props. (1844-1854)

1.  Father John A.  Albro became Infirmary Director in 1957. He died in 1859 in spite of a cancer operation by Dr. Firestone in 1859.

2.  Son James H. Albro was a stock dealer and broker from 1860 to 1873 and 1st President of Old Phoenix Bank. 

United States Clothing Store, Leon Lewis, Prop. (1854-1857)

Bostwick Stoves and Tin Ware Store, Charles E. Bostwick, Prop. (1857-1870)

1.  William Sanders and Frank Bowman have bought out the stove and tin-ware establishment of Charles. E. Bostwick in 1870.

Albro Dry Goods Store, Mary Bradley Albro and son, James Albro, Props. (1872-1880)

1.  Mary Bradley Albro wife of John Alberg Albro and proprietor died in 1880 and the dry goods business was acquired by Lewis and Nichols.

Lewis and Nichols Men’s Clothing Store, Leon Lewis and N. P. Nichols, Props. (1881-1892)

1.  Prior to embarking in this business, Mr. Nichols was sheriff of Medina County for two terms having been elected on the Republican ticket when he was a resident of Litchfield.

Nichols and Ferriman Men’s Clothing Store, N. P. Nichols and Thomas H. Ferriman, Props. (1893-1910)

1.  In the 1940’s The Medina Sentinel was printing memory letters from across the land.  Dr. George Hays wrote from Indiana about his boyhood in Medina and recounted the square as it was in the later 1880’s. 

2..  “Nichols and Ferriman sold men’s clothing from what is now the Main Street Café.  Dr. Hays remembers when they got in a price-cutting war with O. N. Leach.  Leach got down to selling boys’ short pants for 5 cents.  The ultimate bargain came when O. N. gathered up his unsold stock, wrapped them up and threw them off the roof of his building.  A large crowd waited below to catch what they could.”

3. Mr. Thomas Ferriman Sr purchased the interest of Mr. Lewis of the Lewis and Nichols clothing firm in 1910.

Ferriman and Son Furnishings and Clothing Store, Myron H. Ferriman and Thomas Ferriman Jr, Props. (1910-1925)

1.  Thomas Ferriman Sr. passed away in 1919 and Thomas Ferriman Jr. bought out Myron Holden Ferriman his brother, interest in 1920, but firm will still be called Ferriman and Son.

2.  However, Thomas Jr. didn’t really want to work in a clothing store.  He went out west for a short time, but came back and was killed in a car accident in 1924.

3.  Myron Holden Ferriman decided to move to Artesia, New Mexico and the clothing business was sold by Mary Ferriman to A. S. Romig in 1925.

Romig Clothing Store, A. S.  Romig, Prop. (1925-1927)

Baker’s Men’s Clothes, Florence and R. W. Baker, Props. (1927-1929)

1A $10,000 fire in 1929 closed the midway of the west main block in 1929.

2.  The building was owned by Mary A. Ferriman of San Francisco.

3.  The land at the rear of Ferriman store was bought by Dawson Longacre in 1929.

Kroger’s Food Store, Howard Clark, Grocery Manager and R. L. Grurson, Meat Manager, (1929-1939)

1.  The national brand Kroger Company signed a rent agreement for $235 per month for 5 years. The 2nd floor rent is $250 month for 5 yrs, then $275 for five more years. Kroger leases Ferriman Block in 1929.

2.  A new modern store front was installed in 1934. 

High’s Office Supply Company, Paul Tucker, Prop. (1956-1987)

1.  Paul Tucker bought High’s Office Supply from Robert Kiefer in 1956 and moved the business next door to the Ferriman Block for an expanded sales room and office equipment display space.

2.  High’s Office Supply moved to the Longacre Block at #18 West Public Square in 1987.

Main Street Café, Gary Quesada, Prop. (1987-2018)

1.  Gary Quesada, a Medina native, opened the restaurant business in 1987. He renovated the old office supply store to give it a nostalgic turn-of-the-century feel inside and out.

2.  Main Street Cafe retains its original Victorian feel while also displaying the owner's own creativity. It still continues to be a gathering place in the community.

3.  Main Street Cafe also is an important establishment in the city of Medina. Every summer, Main Street Cafe hosts Rally in the Alley, a party in the back alley of the west side of the square.

4.  Thomas Brotherton, a chef for many years in the kitchen of Main Street Café by coincidence was the grandson of Thomas Ferriman Jr. proprietor with his Uncle in Ferriman and Son Clothing Store from 1910-1924 in this building before his premature death in an automobile accident.

17 Public Square Restaurant and Bar, Ryan and Mia Rose, Prop.  (2018-Present)

1.  17 Public Square Restaurant and Bar is a worthy replacement to the 30 year stint by Main Street Café.

2.  Ryan Kasson, General Manager and Chef grew up in Medina and went to Medina High School, as did owners Ryan and Mia Rose. He spent seven years in the Marines as a rifleman before going to culinary school. He worked for 11 years with Michael Symon's restaurants: He cooked at Lola, helped open B Spot, and was the pit master at Mabel's BBQ.

3.  The space has its own rustic feel, with raw brick walls from the 1870s and stone work from the 1840s downstairs. The main dining room seats 90, while the rathskeller-like basement bar and dining space holds about 40. That area, while available for private events, needs some refurbishing.

4.  There's nice use of black walnut wood and well-placed art throughout the space, leading to a comfortable feel to match its menu, which does not overwhelm.

#17.5 West-side Public Square: Albro Bldg.-1844, Bostwick Building-1854, and Ferriman Bldg.-1872, 2nd Floor

Unknown Proprietors or Occupants, (1872-1905) 

Medina Commission Company, Brokers for Stocks, Bonds, Cotton, Grain and Provisions, (1905-1912)

Unknown Proprietors or Occupants, (1912-1924)

Judge George A. Richards, (1925-1933)

Ted Foskett, Attorney, (1933-1937)

United States Department Agriculture, (1943-1948)

 Farm Security Administration, (1943-1948)

James B. Palmquist, Attorney, (1939-1950)

Lester Akins Real Estate Agency, (1950-1953) 

Brown-Graves Lumber, (1953-1953) 

James Bartley, (1953-1953)

Leland Longacre leases the 2nd floor of the Ferriman Block for show rooms from 1953 to 1985.

#18 West Side Public Square: Albro Bldg.-1846, Boult Bldg.-1871, Longacre Bldg.–c.-1903

J. H. Albro and Son Grocery and Provisions Store, James H. Albro Sr. and James H. Albro, Jr.  Props. (1836-1842)

1.  In 1836, James H. Albro moved to Medina, where his father embarked in mercantile business.  James H. assisted in the store until he was 22 years of age, when he bought his father's business from the savings of his wages and going in debt for a small balance.

Albro Grocery and Provisions Store, James H. Albro Jr. Prop (1842-1844)

1.  He remained two years in Medina then moved his store to Seville. 

2.   He continued there two years in company with his father and grandfather as J. Albro and Company, during which time his father built a large frame store where Mr. Boult's store now stands in Medina.

J. H. Albro and Son Grocery and Provisions Store, James H. Albro Sr. and James H. Albro Jr. Props. (1846-1858)

1.  On the completion of this house in 1846, the Seville store was moved to this place, and the firm of J. Albro and Son was formed and continued for twelve years, when James H. again bought out his father. 

Albro Grocery and Provisions Store, James H. Albro Jr. Prop (1858-1860)

1.  Two years later, he sold out and engaged in other lines of business viz., dealing in sheep brokering, etc. 

2.  The business of broker was continued until 1873, when, in company with Hon. H. G. Blake, he organized the Phoenix National Bank and became the first President of the Bank.

3.  He has always given his support to the Episcopal Church, of which Mr. Albro has long been a member

Mattison and Bachtell Groceries and Provisions, Archibald Mattison and David Bachtell, Props. (1860-1866)

Mattison Grocery and Provision Store, Archibald Mattison, Prop. (1866-1870)

1.  A great portion of the room will be filled with tea as it is well understood that Mr. Mattson has the largest trade in the County.

2.  Mattison purchased the building in 1866 from Sarah Hatch that was totally destroyed in the 1870 fire.

3.  G. A. L. Boult purchased the Lot on which the destroyed building formerly stood from A. Mattison on May 30 1870.

Boult Dry Goods Store, G. A. L. Boult, Prop. (1872-1878)

1.   Boult moved to the Boult Block from the Phoenix Block after the 1870 village fire.

2.  Three 40’ x 60’ panes of glass in Boult’s new store were broken and defective; quite a serious loss costing $16.00 each in 1871.

Boult and Sons Dry Goods Store, G. A. L. Boult, Ben, Clare and George Boult, Props. (1878-1886)

Munson and Son Hardware Store, Albert and Lyman Munson, Props. (1886-1894)

1.  The store of Munson and Son is 160 feet in depth and is divided into three separate and distinct departments. There is the sales room devoted to shelf hardware, crockery and glass on the north side and on the south side the Durant oil and gas stoves and ranges, with the work shop in the rear.

2.  Munson hardware business moved to #45 South Side Public Square in 1894.

Branch Furniture Store and Undertaker, Fred Branch, Prop. (1894–1903)

Branch and Longacre Furniture Store, Fred Branch and Dawson Longacre Props. (1903-1916)

1.  Branch and Longacre bought George Boult’s large store on the west side of square for $9,500. A large warehouse 33’ x 170’ is at the rear in a cast concrete block building purchased for $1,500 in 1907.                           

Longacre Furniture Store, Dawson Longacre, Prop. (1916–1931)

1.   Fred Branch entered the real estate business in addition to maintain his undertaking business and Dawson Longacre purchased his interest in the furniture store.

Longacre and Son Furniture Store, Leland and Sons, Richard and James Longacre, (1931–1985)

1.  An extensive fire in 1945 destroyed all the stock and interior of the store. Longacre rebuilt and reopened in March of 1945.

High’s Office Supply Company and Tea Room, 2nd Floor, Paul Tucker, Prop.  (1986-1999)

1.  High’s Office Supply started on the first floor of the jewelry store in 1942. The cellar was excavated in 1942 for photographic and a book storeroom and it officially became High’s Office Supply with Robert Kiefer as Manager in 1943; 56 years on the Public Square in Medina.

Medina Fireplace Shop, (2000-2002)

Leaf and Bean Café, (2002–2003)

Vacant, (2003–2005)

House of Hunan Restaurant, (2005–Present)

1.  Owned and operated by Executive Chef Lawrence Suen and his family, the House of Hunan offers customers the exotic varied flavors of Asia and more.

This store was occupied as The Branch or Longacre Furniture Store for a consecutive 91 years.

#18.5 West-side Public Square: Mattison Bldg-1860, Boult Bldg.-1871, Longacre Bldg.-1903, 2nd Floor



George Hayden and E. C. Codding Attorneys, (1887-1894)

George Hayden, Attorney, (1894-1895)

F. O. Phillips, Attorney, (1894-1895)

G. D. Freeman, Physician and Surgeon, (1894-1895)

Gray and Ross Wall Paper, Cookery and Stationary, J. G. Gray and Herbert S. Ross, Props. (1895-1903)

1.  H. S. Ross at old Gray and Ross stand, remodeled a practically new stairway with partitions open and more lighter in 1901.

Longacre and Branch, Storage and Show Rooms, (1903-1985)

High’s Office Supply, Storage and Sales Rooms, (1985-1989)

Medina Court Square Crafters Co-op.  (1989-1990)

Crafters Boutique, (1990-1991)

Appleton Electric, (1992-1994)

James Pettay, (1993-1997)

Paul F. Tucker, (1994-1999)

Mary Tucker, (1997-1999)

Medina Town Square Post, (1993-1999)

Music Market, (1992-1999)

Allison M. Davis, (2000-2001)

Morry Koury, (2003-2003)

Vacant, (2004–2005)

House of Hunan Restaurant, (2005–Present)

#21 West-side Public Square: Bradley Block-c.-1842, Union Block–1871

Brown Hardware Store, Horace W. Brown, Prop. (1857-1861)

Herrick and Tyler Jewelry Store, (1858-1861)

Bradley and Son, Hardware, Crockery and Glassware, Samuel H. Bradley and J. A. Bradley, Props. (1861-1870)

1.  Bradley bought the hardware stock of H. W. Brown in the fall of 1861.

2.  After the fire of 1870 the Bradley’s rebuilt their store on this site of the Union Block with a commodious sales rooms and a large warehouse in the rear of the building

Wells Jewelry, D. A. Wells, Prop. (1866-1870)

1.  Wells had a small room in the Bradley and Son Hardware Store in 1870.

2.  Wells was able to save some jewelry and goods in the 1870 village fire.

3.  G. A. L. Boult purchased the Lot from S. H. Bradley on June 30, 1870 on which the Union Block was rebuilt.

Ball Millinery Store, Miss E. K. Ball, Prop. 2nd Floor, (1872-1878)

Boult and Sons Dry Goods Store, G. A. L. Boult, Ben, Clare and George Boult, Prop. (1878-1886)

Beech Shoe and Boots Store, Albert L. Beach, Prop. (1886-1888)

Yoder Brothers Shoe Store, Yoder Bros, Props. (1888-1890)

1.  Albert L. Beach, the shoe merchant, has sold his stock and store to the Yoder Brothers of Wadsworth, who will take possession about the 1st of August 1888. The new firm will be composed of the brothers Peter, Noah N. and John Yoder, who are known to most of our readers as enterprising and energetic young business men.

Yoder and Lewis Shoe Store, P. N. Yoder and L. A. Lewis, Props. (1891-1891)

1.  1891 - "One of the notable business changes in Medina is that of the new partnership formed by P. N. Yoder and L. A. Lewis of the firm of Foskett and Lewis. Yoder and Lewis will be the style of the new firm. Harry, son of L. A. Lewis, who has been with Yoder Brothers for some time, will remain a salesman in the store. The store will be removed to the Smith Block next to the Corner Drug store in a few days.

Kimmel Music Studio, M. D. Kimmel, Prop. (1892-1900)

1.  Kimmel has a large stock of pianos, organs, general instruments and sheet music in his studio. The studio room occupied by him is a large one, being 25’ x 100'.

2.  Among his leading makes of pianos are the Bradbury, Franklin, Webster and Howard.

3. Kimmel is also agent for the famous New Home Sewing Machine, the Columbia Graphophone and the Estery organ all of which he sells for cash or on the installment plan.

4.  Mr. Kimmel spends considerable amount of his time traveling in the interests of his musical goods.

Kimmel Grocery and Star Bakery, M. D. Kimmel, Prop. (1894-1900)

1.  In 1894, Kimmel added a grocery and bakery business to his establishment and fitted up a neat and attractive dining room in the rear, where meals and lunches are served to order.

2. A wagon is kept constantly on the road delivering goods from the bakery and grocery departments.

George F. Gruninger, Owner of Building, (1900)

Kimmel and Funk Grocery Store, M. D. Kimmel and Earl Funk, Props. (1900-1903)

Hunsberger and Foote Grocery Store, H. R. Hunsberger and Fayette Foote, Props. (1904-1905)

1.  In 1905 Dan R. Pelton has bought the interest of H. R. Hunsberger.  Mr. Pelton has been a clerk in the Warner store for a number of years and is a young man of good business ability.

Foote and Pelton Grocery Store, Fayette Foote and Daniel Pelton, Props. (1905-1906)

1.  Fayette Foote sold his interest in Foote and Pelton to Hobart Edwards in 1906.

Pelton and Edwards Grocery Store, Daniel Pelton and Hobart Edwards, Props. (1906-1916)

1.  Hobart Edwards got his start as a grocer with Dan Pelton.

2.  Dan Pelton moved his Grocery Store to #115 North Public Square in 1916.

Edwards Grocery Store, Hobart Edwards, Prop. (1916-1917)

1.  The Hobart Edwards store sold out to Pelton and opened his store in 1916 and sold it in 1917 to Bird and Earl Thatcher.

Bird and Thatcher Grocery Store, Mr. Bird and Earl Thatcher. Props. (1917-1919)

Rickard’s Grocery Store, Howard and Stanley Rickard, Merle Fuller, Props. (1920-1946)

1.  Merle Fuller was a cog in the operation of the store as the baker for 50 years with the assistance of his wife, Madeline.

2.  Rickard’s introduced the old Union Delivery Service which carried groceries from the town’s stores to customer’s front doors, at first in horse drawn wagons.

Rickard’s Super Market, Erwin Richard, Corwin Hoff, Horace Williams Prop. (1946-1975)

1.  Rickard Finer Food Store, one of only three remaining food markets in the uptown area and one of the oldest established businesses on the square will close its doors August 30, 1975.

2.  Horace Williams also served as a volunteer fireman for 27 years with the Medina Fire Department

This store was occupied as a Grocery Store for a consecutive 75 years.

Mrs. Jeans Greens, (1975-1981)

Medina Tux, (1982-1984)

Ziegler Department Store, Charles and Richard Ziegler, Props. (1980-1993)

Washington Properties Offices, Michel Rose, Prop. (1993-Present)

1.  Washington Properties, Inc. purchased the Union Block comprising #23 and #21 Public Square in 1993.

Susan’s Coffee and Tea of Medina, Ted and Linda Smithers, Props. (1994-1998)

Susan’s Coffee and Tea of Medina, Fred Hicks, Prop. (1998-2005)

Muddy Waters, Dennis and Paula Tafoya, (2005-2008)

Entrance moved to 23 Public Square

The Bakery Shoppe,  Darlene Pfeffer, Prop.(2008-2015)

Honey Bee Bakery, K. Scherbinski, Manager, (2015-Present)

1.  Honey Bee Bakery is locally owned and specializes in bakery made from scratch! We offer gooey cookies and brownies, decadent French macaroons and fresh made bread.  We also create beautiful wedding and special event cakes!