Pickaway Places: Groceries were located on every corner

There was a time in Circleville’s history when almost every corner had a grocery store. One of the town’s popular stores was operated in the middle of downtown by Clarence W. Wolf. It was at one time located at 506 North Court Street.

Wolf operated the Clover Farm Store, which was part of a chain of stores, selling the Clover Farm brand. He opened his newer store at 126 West Main Street. These two locations were active for some 45 years.

Emmett Morgan was the meat cutter, Billy Howard the produce person and Edward Phebus the clerk and delivery person. The store featured a wide mid-section with counters and binds on either side and shelves full of canned food behind the counters. Bushel baskets filled with apples and other fruits, crates of potatoes and onions and even brooms were lined up just outside the front door.

A spring housecleaning sale advertised Camay soap for 17 cents, Ivory for 10 cents, mops for 27 cents, baked beans at two for 21 cents and tomato juice at four for 27 cents. Cane sugar was sold in cloth bags.

Produce was brought to the store by local farmers. The meats were from Schmidts and dressed rabbits were sold at Easter time. Eggs were purchased from the Children’s Home.

Wolf was born in 1887 in Stoutsville, the son of George and Hanna Shupe Wolf. He married Lola Lee Dumm, born in 1889. They were the parents of two daughters, Mrs. Luther Bower and Mrs. Edward Phebus. They lived at 1021 South Court Street. Clarence died in 1965 and his wife in 1975. They are buried in Forest Cemetery.