A red phone booth sits inside this store, and it still works. Drop in a dime, and you can actually make a real call.
That quirky booth shares space with wood cookstoves, oil lamps, hand pumps, and rows of glass-bottled sodas. The whole place started as a hardware store serving Amish neighbors who lived without electricity.
Those roots still shape nearly every shelf today.
I like how the store treats old ways as useful, not just cute. You can browse antique stoves on the walls, then buy a brand-new canning pot a few aisles over.
It feels part museum, part country store, and part treasure hunt in the heart of Ohio Amish country. The fun is in spotting things you thought had disappeared decades ago, only to realize that plenty of people still use them every day.
A Hardware Store That Grew Up Around Amish Neighbors
Back in 1955, Jay Lehman opened a small hardware store in the village of Kidron. His goal was simple: serve the local Amish community with tools and goods that worked without electricity.
That mission gave Lehman’s its personality. Non-electric lamps, hand-crank gadgets, and wood stoves filled the shelves long before old-fashioned living became trendy.
Fast forward a few decades, and the little shop kept growing. Today the store stretches across roughly 35,000 square feet, built from several connected buildings, including restored pre-1900 barns.
Size alone doesn’t explain the appeal, though. The real draw is how the store still honors that original purpose.
Plenty of items here would make total sense in a home off the power grid.
Families who homestead, garden, or simply prepare for power outages find practical answers in these aisles. Curious shoppers just enjoy seeing how people managed before plugging everything into a wall.
Lehman’s celebrated its 70th anniversary recently, which is a long run for any family-rooted business. The store is now part of the Hartville Hardware family, yet the old-time focus remains front and center.
Knowing this backstory makes a visit richer. Every butter churn and oil lamp connects to a real need from real neighbors.
That history turns a shopping trip into a small lesson in Ohio’s rural past.
Antique Stoves Line The Walls Like A Free Museum
Cast iron cookstoves sit on display throughout the building, along with vintage iceboxes and other old appliances. The decor doubles as a walk-through history lesson, and nobody hands you a ticket.
Look up, and you’ll notice heritage pieces hanging on walls and rafters. Old tools, signs, and farm gear help tell the story of everyday rural life.
Scattered among the shopping areas, small museum-style displays explain how certain items worked. These little history stops are easy to miss if you rush, so slow down a bit.
Kids often enjoy guessing what strange gadgets were used for. Adults usually join in, then quietly admit they had no idea either.
The store also offers a scavenger hunt for younger visitors. It’s a clever way to keep children engaged while parents linger near the kitchen tools.
Here’s a practical tip: plan extra time just for looking. Many visitors spend two hours or more inside and still feel they missed sections.
Comfortable shoes help, since the floor plan wanders through several connected spaces. The layout rewards curiosity, with a new corner around nearly every turn.
Even if you buy nothing, the displays alone make the trip worthwhile. Few stores let you study a century-old stove while picking out a new dish towel.
Wood Stoves And Oil Lamps Still Steal The Show
Oil lamps glow from shelves in shapes and sizes you probably didn’t know existed. Lehman’s has long been known for non-electric lighting, and that reputation still holds up.
You’ll find complete lamps plus replacement parts like wicks, chimneys, and burners. That’s handy if you inherited Grandma’s lamp and need it working again.
Then come the wood stoves. Working wood cookstoves and heating stoves sit on the sales floor, ready for close inspection.
Some shoppers come specifically for off-grid appliances. The store has carried gas-powered refrigerators and stoves, which serve homes without standard electric service.
Staff members can explain how specialty items work, from stoves to water pumps. Asking questions here is smart, because these purchases are bigger decisions than a jar of jam.
Even casual browsers will find something useful. A good oil lamp makes a reliable backup during storms and power outages.
Hand pumps, cast iron cookware, and other self-reliant gear round out this part of the store. It all feels practical rather than decorative.
Want a tip? Measure your space before falling in love with a stove.
Those beauties are heavy, and your living room may have opinions about square footage.
Either way, this section shows exactly why Lehman’s became famous far beyond Ohio.
Your Kitchen Is About To Get Very Jealous
Canning supplies, crocks, and cast iron pans could keep a home cook busy for weeks. The kitchen area is one of the store’s biggest crowd-pleasers, and it’s easy to see why.
Shelves hold tools for preparing and preserving home-grown food. Think canners, jars, food mills, and gadgets built for long gardening seasons.
Bakers get plenty of love too. Cookie cutters come in countless shapes, and dish cloths sit nearby for the cleanup afterward.
Some items look decades old but solve modern problems. Others are clever new gadgets, like a rubber mat made for peeling garlic.
That blend makes the section fun even for people who rarely cook. You can laugh at a weird tool, then realize you actually need it.
Hand-crank appliances deserve a closer look. They work without electricity, so they fit camping trips, cabins, and power outages just as well as everyday kitchens.
A smart approach is bringing a short wish list. Otherwise, you may come home with three apple peelers and no clear plan.
Gift shoppers find easy wins here as well. A nice wooden spoon or quality pan feels thoughtful without much guesswork.
Plan to wander slowly. This corner of Lehman’s rewards anyone who enjoys making food from scratch.
Bottled Sodas With Flavors That Dare You
Glass bottles of soda stretch across shelves in a rainbow of colors and labels. Some flavors seem normal, while others sound like a science fair project.
That’s half the fun. Kids love hunting for the strangest choice, and grown-ups often get pulled into the challenge.
Old-fashioned favorites like root beer and cream soda sit beside wildly unusual options. Picking one becomes a small game of courage.
Thirsty right now? Some bottles are kept refrigerated, so you can grab a cold one and sip it on the spot.
Here’s a fun idea for families. Let each person choose a mystery bottle, then hold a taste test at home.
Someone will win, and someone will make a very funny face.
Sweet tooth calling? Lehman’s also sells fudge, and candy treats appear throughout the store.
A small sugar stop helps fuel a long browsing session.
The store also offers sample snacks at times, depending on what’s featured. It’s a nice bonus between aisles.
Bottled sodas make easy souvenirs too. They travel well if wrapped carefully, and they remind everyone of the trip.
Just a friendly warning: not every bold flavor deserves a second sip. Choose bravely, but maybe keep a backup root beer handy.
A Phone Booth Where A Dime Still Works
Ten cents. That’s what it takes to make a real phone call from the classic red booth inside Lehman’s.
Most people walk past assuming it’s decoration. Surprise, it actually connects calls, which feels almost magical in a smartphone world.
Children especially enjoy this stop. Many have never dialed a pay phone, so calling a parent becomes a memorable little adventure.
Bring a dime if you want to try it. Coins aren’t something many of us carry anymore, so check your car’s cup holder before heading inside.
The booth fits perfectly with the store’s personality. Lehman’s loves showing how everyday objects once worked, and this one lets you test history yourself.
It also makes a great photo spot. Grab a quick picture of the kids holding the receiver, then move along so others get a turn.
Moments like this explain why the store feels different from typical shopping trips. You’re not just buying things.
You’re playing with pieces of the past.
Grandparents often enjoy explaining how pay phones worked back in the day. Those conversations can be the best part of the visit.
Carved Wood Art That Looks Almost Alive
Detailed wood carvings fill a gallery space inside the store, and they’re worth slowing down for. The craftsmanship is so fine that tiny details seem to pop off the surface.
Many visitors call the carvings a highlight of the trip. It’s rare to find artwork like this tucked between kitchen tools and camping gear.
The gallery also offers a welcome break. Chairs give tired feet a rest while others in your group keep shopping.
That’s a clever option for families with different energy levels. One person can relax with the art, while another explores every last aisle.
Take a moment to study the work up close. Notice the layers, textures, and small scenes carved into each piece.
Appreciating handcraft fits the spirit of Amish country. Skilled work done slowly and carefully is a big part of the region’s identity.
Art lovers might spend longer here than planned. Even people who don’t usually visit galleries tend to stop and stare.
This quiet corner shows another side of Lehman’s. It isn’t all about stoves and sodas.
Sometimes it’s simply about beauty made by patient hands.
Toys, Puzzles, Soaps, And Socks For Everyone On Your List
Gift shopping gets easier once you see the variety packed into this store. Toys, puzzles, games, soaps, and clothing fill section after section.
Classic wooden toys appeal to kids and nostalgic adults alike. Puzzles and board games make great picks for cozy family nights.
Need something practical? Darn Tough socks are among the brands on hand, and hand tools sit close by for the fix-it crowd.
Camping supplies also appear throughout the store. Outdoor fans can find gear like the Petromax fire plunger, which turns fire starting into a fun science trick.
Ohio pottery is another thoughtful find. A locally made piece feels personal and carries a sense of place home with you.
Decor items lean toward a country style. Simple, sturdy designs fit farmhouse homes, cabins, and anyone craving a calmer look.
Here’s a strategy that works well: shop with a list of names. Walk each section with specific people in mind, then check them off as you go.
Prices lean toward quality goods, so set a budget before you start. Clearance areas can help stretch your spending a bit further.
Holiday shoppers especially benefit from this approach. Knocking out several gifts in one trip feels like a small victory worth celebrating.
Plan Your Trip So You Don’t Miss A Single Aisle
Lehman’s sits at 4779 Kidron Rd, Dalton, OH 44618, in the Kidron area of Wayne County. It’s a short drive from Holmes County, home to one of the largest Amish communities in the country.
From June through December, the store is open Monday through Saturday, 9 AM to 6 PM. Between January and May, weekday hours are shorter, with Saturday closing at 6 PM.
Sundays are always closed.
Saturdays can get busy, especially during peak travel seasons. A weekday morning visit usually means more room to browse.
Parking is plentiful, which helps when buses and road trippers roll in. Clean restrooms and a small café inside make long visits more comfortable.
Give yourself at least two hours. Many shoppers stay much longer, and some even return the next day to finish exploring.
Bring a tote bag and comfy shoes. Those two items make this huge store far easier to enjoy.
With old-time goods, quirky sodas, and a working dime phone, Lehman’s turns an ordinary errand into a full-day adventure worth every mile.
