This building, located on the N.E. corner of East Main Street and South Drexel Avenue, began as Stukey’s Drugs. That business occupied the west side of the structure with Klingbeil Groceries on the east side.
In 1925, Roy Wentz bought the two-story building and by 1927, Willard Restaurant was serving meals where the grocery store had been.
Wentz soon realized he needed the entire first floor for his growing business. He added the popular soda fountain in 1933.
Wentz Pharmacy
by Edie Mae Herrel
Image (c) Bexley Historical Society
Interior view of Wentz Pharmacy with soda fountain
Image courtesy Bexley Historical Society
Photograph shows one of the Wentz Pharmacy’s five motorcycles with a side car holding a “refrigerator” cooled by dry ice. The business delivered to hospitals, doctor offices and homes everything from medicines to ice cream. At the height of this service, Wentz Pharmacy was making approximately 250 deliveries a day.
Image courtesy Bexley Historical Society
After 64 years as Wentz Pharmacy, the building was sold in 1989 to Graeter’s Ice Cream.
Written by Nancy Beck
July 2026
All artwork and images (c) Bexley Historical Society 2026.
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