R. W. Rupp General Store and Dry Goods -- Late 1800's -- A Little History

In the 1800's, before the Anthony Wayne Trail became the pot-holed "super highway" that we have all grown to know and love, it was part of a canal used to transport goods from the mouth of the Maumee River in Toledo, Ohio, southwest through the notorious Black Swamp,  paralleling the shallow, rapids-filled riverbed.  

Named the Miami and Erie Canal, it eventually ended its journey in Cincinnati, Ohio and the Ohio and the Mississippi river systems.  Back in the day, this historic canal was the main inland transportation route from the East to New Orleans...

1898 Photo of what was the R. W. Rupp General Store, canal quai-side

In 1883, an enterprising young man, Mr. R. W. Rupp, built a general store and quai-side loading dock along the towpath of the Miami and Erie Canal which wound its way through Waterville, Ohio.

R. W. Rupp General Store

In 1890, Mr. Rupp built his general store on Third Street and began a long life serving the local residents by selling everything from food and dry goods to tobacco.  The store cost him $1250.00 to build.

Note: Cigars for sale (lower left) and Dutch Masters sign (upper center).

He even made home deliveries...

Over the next one hundred and twenty-odd years the building was used for multiple purposes from general store to fine ladies wear.  Just prior to our acquisition of the property, the building was used as a bridal wear store.

Bridal wear to cigars -- a natural transition...

...and, now it begins...

Third Street Cigar Smoking Lounge

This nineteenth century building is the new home of our retail cigar store, the Third Street Cigar and Smoking Lounge/s.  The building dates to the late 1800's and was the first retail store in historic Waterville, Ohio, located a few feet from the banks of the beautiful Maumee River.

Ironically, during those early days in Waterville, according to the ladies at the Waterville Historical Society, there was a local cigar maker.  We are currently doing research on that man and the name of his brand in hopes to bring back that bit of local history as a possible featured private label in our store.

The property is actually two connected buildings; the original store and a back-building that was moved from another location years ago and placed to the rear of the main store.

We will be opening a private lounge in the back building, but have a public smoking lounge on the second floor of the retail store available to all customers.

All in all, we have over thirty-six hundred square feet of space available to us.  The lounges will have the latest in smoke eliminations systems which will enhance your experience while you enjoy a cigar seated in a comfortable leather club chair, free wifi, large flat screen TV's, and air-conditioned comfort.

We will use this forum to update everyone on our construction as it progresses to include recent photos.