Jun 16, 2011

Local Ben Franklin Store Discovers Its SpecialtyBy Saimi BergmannCantonRep.com

No flashing lights, no trendy awnings, no gentrification. A simple, familiar sign is all that marks Stark County’s sole Ben Franklin store, a bulwark against the constant changes in retailing.

Larry Donohue and his wife, Debbie, own the store, which has been at the same 30th Street location since the 1960s.

“We owned three Ben Franklins in the county until 2000, then we consolidated,” he said.

The once-mighty chain, founded in 1877, had about 2,500 franchised stores at its peak.

“In ’95, they actually went belly up, but left their name out there. A company in Wisconsin bought the rights to the name,” Donohue said. “There are only about 300 left in the whole country — all very individual. “

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