Located in downtown Kidron, Ohio, Lehman’s is the place where being old-fashioned is always in fashion, right down to the sixty-five foot buggy hitching post across the street from the store. Founded in 1955 by Jay Lehman to serve the local Amish, today Lehman’s is one of the world’s largest purveyors of new old products, shipping merchandise to over 200 countries.
In fact, Lehman’s is so well-known for their extensive collection of practical, historically accurate hand tools, toys, non-electric appliances, kitchenware, oil lamps, and water pumps, that they are often called upon by Hollywood set designers to provide authentic products for period pieces. Big pictures such as “Cold Mountain” with Nicole Kidman; “The Debators” with Denzel Washington; “Open Range” with Kevin Costner; and “Pirates of the Caribbean” with Johnny Depp all turned to Lehman’s for the perfect set dressing.
A recent expansion more than doubled the size of their store, including the reconstruction of an 1840’s era barn. The expansion added a high tech demonstration room – formerly a buggy barn on an Amish farm – a cafe, indoor and outdoor seating, expanded displays and interactive demonstration areas. So take a trip to the past… you’ll be sure to find the perfect present. Whether you’re looking for the tools to live the simple life yourself, or want an unforgettable souvenir of your trip to Amish country… you’ll find it all at Lehman’s, on the square in Kidron.
Back at the car, I pulled out The Map and found a back road to our next destination . . . the J.M. Smucker Company Store and Cafe in nearby Orville. If you drop in tomorrow, I'll tell you about that neat place!