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After the Sweet shop closed, local contractor, John Mayes occupied the site as an office for his paving business. Later the building was the office of the Lee Stover Insurance Agency. Hair salons, Images and Dragonflies were located here prior to 2020. Currently, Pridmore Floral Design provides wedding floral designs from this 500 West Market Street address. RDoll |
Memories of Lesher’s Store
The thirty-fifth anniversary of the 1988 Perkasie Fire brings back memories of a Perkasie treasure lost that day, Lesher’s Variety Store. The store was started in 1926 as Beer’s Variety Store by A.A. Lesher. Later, the store was operated by Bentley Smith and beginning in 1984, by Gene Pritchard.
You could find anything at Lesher’s as both the first floor and basement counters and wall space were well stocked with merchandise.
You could find anything at Lesher’s as both the first floor and basement counters and wall space were well stocked with merchandise.

The store is remembered for its wooden floors, large candy section, toys, housewares, penny candy, trains, remote-controlled cars and basement with Christmas items and tropical fish. There was a small food area behind the candy section where they sold hot dogs, soda, and soft pretzels. And don’t forget sidewalk sales and sales during the holiday season. Shopping at Lesher’s was very memorable for all.

A short time after the fire, Gene Pritchard opened Lesher’s II a short distance away at 7th and Arch Street.
A thank you to the Pritchard Family for sharing their memories and photograph collection.
Additionally, Images of the Perkasie Historical Society Museum "1988 Fire Displays" can be found in the Perkasie Historical Society Photo Gallery
2013 25th Anniversary of the Perkasie Fire of 1988
2018 30th Anniversary of the Perkasie Fire of 1988
R.Doll
The Milkman
Over the years, Perkasie had numerous dairies from which residents could purchase milk. Early diaries like Kern’s on Fifth Street near Arch would dip milk from a can for 5 cents a quart. You supplied your own pail or container.
Later the diaries installed bottling equipment and began to bottle the milk for sale. Milkmen were hired to deliver milk to customers along a given route. Roeder’s dairy on Walnut Street and Becks Dairy on Fifth Street would use a horse and wagon to deliver milk to their customers. Eventually trucks were purchased by the dairy and used for delivery.
The milkman would leave cards with a list of products and prices from which the customer would order. The order cards, payment, and empty milk bottles would be placed in the insulated milk box om the porch for the milkman to pick up. Milk would be placed back into the milk box for the customer. For a short time, strips of tickets could be purchased and used for payment. The tickets would be placed in the milk box instead of cash for milk purchases. |
The milkman usually did not have any problems collecting payment for deliveries. During the depression, one Hendricks driver was too lenient and allowed a family bill to run up to $40.00. Hendricks worked out a deal with the family where they paid an extra 25 cents a week, taking over three years to pay the bill.
Some other Perkasie diaries were Moyer-Keller on Sixth Street, Benner Dairy on Vine Street and Hendricks Dairy on South Fifth Street. Hendricks dairy was the last Perkasie dairy, surviving until 1970 when the business was sold to Rosenberger’s Dairy.
Some other Perkasie diaries were Moyer-Keller on Sixth Street, Benner Dairy on Vine Street and Hendricks Dairy on South Fifth Street. Hendricks dairy was the last Perkasie dairy, surviving until 1970 when the business was sold to Rosenberger’s Dairy.
Reference: Perkasie Historical Society archives and 1976 meeting
RDoll
"Harriet and "Penny"
Harriet Beidler was the oldest daughter of Perkasie pants manufacturer, George Beidler, and his wife Valeria. After graduating from Sellersville – Perkasie High School in 1935 she went to Philadelphia to attend nursing school at Jewish Hospital now Einstein Medical Center. After graduating in 1939 as a Registered Nurse she was employed at Graduate Hospital.
After Pearl Harbor was attacked, Harriet enlisted as an Army nurse on the condition she not begin her service until after her birthday in January. The Army agreed. Harriet was sent to Europe in 1942 and served in field hospitals in England, Germany, and France. Her soldier-patients would give her their unit patches that she would sew onto an Army overcoat liner.
After Pearl Harbor was attacked, Harriet enlisted as an Army nurse on the condition she not begin her service until after her birthday in January. The Army agreed. Harriet was sent to Europe in 1942 and served in field hospitals in England, Germany, and France. Her soldier-patients would give her their unit patches that she would sew onto an Army overcoat liner.

When heading back to Europe after being on leave, Harriet met James W. “Penny” Pennybaker of Oklahoma on a troop transport ship. Returning to Germany, Harriet was stationed in Munich and “Penny” in Frankfurt. They married in 1946 at Kronberg Castle in Germany. Harriet’s wedding gown was made from a silk parachute by a German seamstress.
Upon returning to the states, Harriet and “Penny” resided in Perkasie where they raised two children. “Penny” was employed at Beidler Pants Company and later at Schulmerich Carillons. Harriet worked and volunteered at Grandview Hospital for nearly 50 years.
Upon returning to the states, Harriet and “Penny” resided in Perkasie where they raised two children. “Penny” was employed at Beidler Pants Company and later at Schulmerich Carillons. Harriet worked and volunteered at Grandview Hospital for nearly 50 years.
Memories of Perkasie
Sharing interesting connections between Perkasie's people, places and events.
Rick and Louise Doll
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