As Christmas 1921 approached, Charles E. Fluke announced from his storefront on the west side of Chariton's square that he had offerings to suit "every age, every taste and every purse" at "The Christmas Store of Lucas County."
Potential gifts included dolls, toys, games and picture books, regular books, bibles and sacred books, the finest stationery, Kodaks and photo supplies, smoking goods, fountain pens, sporting goods, toilet articles and magazines.
Mr. Fluke (1876-1948) had opened at this location when the Oppenheimer Block was brand new, during 1904, but had been in business elsewhere in town since the mid-1890s. He shared the double-front building with its builder, Simon Oppenheimer, who operated a men's clothing store next door. The two businesses, Fluke's and Oppenheimer's, would become institutions in Lucas County.
Charles operated Fluke's here until shortly before retirement during 1944, when the store was moved south and sold to his half-brother, Mack Young, who in turn sold it to his son, Dick Young, who operated it at that location as "Young's" until he retired.
"Young's" is the Christmas store I remember and I'm sure I'm not the only one who recalls buying Christmas cards, wrapping paper and gifts there.
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