Back to the Basics

Simple living has been Lehman’s mission since Jay Lehman started the Kidron mercantile 70 years ago.

“We want to help people to live a simpler life, which means living a life that’s understandable, sustainable and comforting,” assured Glenda Lehman Ervin, director of marketing, and Jay’s daughter. “Our products are predicated on that belief.”

Jay Lehman started Lehman’s in 1955 when he bought a tiny hardware store, which has now grown into a staple of Amish Country tourism and has earned national recognition. He did it in large part by offering things the locals needed but couldn’t find in other stores—and supplementing his unique products with exemplary customer service, Ervin explained.

“There are commodity items that all the growing retail chains were able to provide at lower prices, so Dad pivoted slightly and decided to focus on things that would be unique to Lehman’s,” Ervin said. “And he decided to go very deep into that niche—so if you come to Lehman’s and you buy an oil lamp, for example, we also have the reflectors, the lamp oil and all of the accessories for your lamp. And we have the people on staff who know how to use them. So by focusing on something that the big stores didn’t want to do, he created a niche.”

A large part of that niche involves growing and canning healthy food—a simple and fun activity that the whole family can share.

“If you want to process your food, we have everything you need for canning, freezing, pickling, fermenting, dehydrating and freeze drying,” Ervin said.

Lehman’s Amish neighbors were the store’s first customers. Today, the store carries an ample offering of Amish-made products.

“We have a long and rich connection to the Amish community,” Ervin said. “Dad admired the things they did, like churning their own butter and cooking on wood stoves—some very basic things that people can do for themselves.”

Lehman’s specializes in many of those products that emphasize independence and living “off the grid.” The store also carries an abundant selection of simple toys, gardening tools and household products.

“We offer one-stop shopping, and because we have the knowledgeable staff and a ton of content on our website—like how-to videos and recipes—we can help if you’re just starting on a your journey to a simpler lifestyle,” Ervin said.

Lehman’s use of the internet and social media to educate and reach a global market supplements the company’s old-fashioned commitment to service—and a traditional paper product catalog, she said.

“We’re evolving with the times, but staying true to our mission,” she said. “We’re multigenerational now—Grandpa used to shop with us, then Dad and now their children are our customers. So we’ve been a big part of people’s families and traditions for a long time, and that’s what means the most to us.”

Lehman’s is celebrating 70 years of selling history in 2025 with special events and activities all year long - check out Lehmans.com/events for details.

You can get started on fun memory-making activities with a visit to Lehman’s, located at 4779 Kidron Road in Kidron. You can learn more about the store — and read Lehman’s educational blog — at Lehmans.com or call 800-438-5346.