Category:Shafer Book Store, Allentown, Pennsylvania

The Shafer Book Store was opened in 1878 by John Alfred Shafer and his wife Hannah at 319 North Seventh Street. In 1884, the store was moved to the former Rhue Pharmacy at 33 North Seventh. In 1907, it was taken over by the Shafer's daughter Hannah and her husband William Cressman. The Cressmans operated the business until 1947 when it was taken over by a new owner, Mahlon Ernst, who operated the store until it closed in 1956. The building at 33 North Seventh had a long history, dating back to before the Revolution. The original building dated to the 1760s, and an addition was added to it around 1780. The earliest known owner was John Frederick Rhue. He was born in Nordheim, Germany. In 1776, Rhue went to London, England, where he was assistant to the King's Apothecary. Dr Rhue married in 1777 and in 1790, the Rhues came to America. In 1794, the Rhue's moved to Allentown where Dr Rhue opened an apothecary shop (Pharmacy). Dr Rhue lived to be 95 and was long remembered as one of the last citizens to wear the old fashioned knee breeches and silk hose. He died on July 27th, 1941 and is buried at the old Allentown cemetery at 10th & Linden Streets. The home was passed on to Dr Rhue's son, Charles. Charles Rhue died in 1879 at the age of 84.

In 1883, the Rhue's sold the property to J Alfred Shafer and his wife Hannah. The Shafers had opened a Bible and hymnal store at their home in 1878 at 319 North Seventh. With the sale, the business was transferred to the former Rhue property as "Shafer's New Bible House". The name changed several times over the years, lastly being the "Shafer Book Store". Until 1900, Shafer had the contract for supplying books to the Allentown School District. Each September, the store became the seller of books for the various classes and grades for the children educated by the ASD, then in June, the business was in reverse, as books bought in the fall were returned for cash, depending on condition, or in part payment for books required for the next school year. At the time, textbooks were seldom changed by the school board, and once purchased, they served in succession for all the children in the household over several generations. In 1900, the ASD began a free book program and Shafer's contract ended. The business then focused on the growing stationary and art departments, also selling various business supplies, as well as pencils, chalk and pens.

The Shafers, and later the Cressmans operated the business until selling it in 1947 when they retired. Mahlon Ernst moved the business to a new location at 719 Linden Street in March 1956, abandoning the property which needed major restoration. It was condemned by City officials and sold to Park & Shop who tore the building down and turned the land into a parking lot. Today, a Bar-B-Que restaurant and the Strata I apartment building occupy the lot, which is adjacent to the Arts Walk on North Seventh.