When Bluffton's CVS was a clothing and shoe store
By Fred Steiner
www.BlufftonForever.com
The Main Street Bluffton building housing today’s CVS Pharmacy served the community as a retail business for nearly 125 years. Originally the building housed two businesses, one on the north side and the other on the south.
It wasn’t always a pharmacy. In its infant years one of the businesses on the south side was Wise Clothing and Shoe Co., featured here.
The store partners were brothers Julius and Ave Wise, who also owned a clothing store in Ottawa. The photograph showing the Wise brothers includes their children, absent of the children’s mothers.
Wise Clothing housed the south side of today’s CVS. Later the business was home of Steiner and Huser men’s clothing store.
That eventually grew into Balmer’s, whose owners, Harold and Annie Balmer, expanded the business and took over the north side of the building, which today includes the entire CVS layout. Bev Simon of Bluffton is a daughter of Harold and Annie.
Article continues HERE on BlufftonForever.com
Stories Posted This Week
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
- Tornado Watch issued for Allen, Hancock, Hardin and Putnam counties at 9:15 p.m. on April 2
- Flood Warning issued for Allen County at 11:03 a.m.
- Pirate tennis loss at Elida
- Pirate softball loses opener to Ada
- Pirate baseball falls to Ada
- Allen County will not test warning sirens on April 2
- March 2025 land transfers in the Bluffton Exempted Village School District
- April 22 crash report shows driver hit N. Dixie home
- Bluffton High School Honor Roll announced for 3rd quarter of 2024-2025
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
- Obituary for Betty C. Mumaugh
- Leo Club supports Bluffton Clean Up
- Wind, rain and potential flooding for April 2
- Grandey to major in education, play basketball at John Carroll
- Pirate tennis blanks Bath
- Pirate baseball sweeps opening twin bill vs. Pandora-Gilboa
- “I Have Not Forsaken the Word of God” reader's theater, April 13
- Easter Cantata performed on April 13 in Pandora
Monday, March 31, 2025
Sunday, March 30, 2025
Saturday, March 29, 2025
- Bluffton Public Library’s April 2025 programs and services
- Joseph “Joe” Ropp Davies worked for University of Findlay
- Hillville Road bridge maintenance on April 1
- Lift access added to Bluffton Senior Center back entrance
- Register for fear of falling workshop
- Florence to explain advanced sports stats at student forum