Ashton’s 5 and 10-Cent Store in Carrollton, an original Ben Franklin store. (Credit: Ken Drenten)

The Ben Franklin store in Carrollton is an operating general store and it’s also a living museum, like taking a step back in time.

Known as the Ashton 5¢ and 10¢ Store, the store has been locally owned and operated since 1932. John and Evelyn Ashton once owned a number of Ben Franklin stores, including this one in downtown Carrollton. Their home has also been turned into a museum.

The old-fashioned variety store has wood floors and a well-stocked candy counter. The store stocks a huge variety of items, and many that are hard to find elsewhere, including:

• Arts and crafts supplies, kid’s toys, school supplies, stationery and greeting cards, office supplies;
• Inspirational and wedding gifts, including Coca-Cola, John Deere, military and Ohio State themed gifts;
• Sewing supplies (fleece, fabric, yarn, ribbon, etc.), bow making, fabric cutting, picture frames;
• Seasonal decorations, floral decorations, scrapbooking supplies;
• Housewares, hardware, cooking and baking supplies, outdoor supplies and much more.

Despite its small size, customers can find just about anything they need in this Ben Franklin store. (Credit: Ken Drenten)

The store also provides custom services like key making, helium balloon bouquets and party supplies, blind making service and more.

The Ben Franklin chain of variety stores originated in Boston in 1877 as Butler Brothers, a mail-order wholesaler. The company founded Ben Franklin Stores in 1927; at the chain’s peak there were 2,500 franchised stores. The company went bankrupt and closed many company-owned stores in 1996-97. There are an unknown number of Ben Franklin stores that continue to operate independently.

Ben Franklin stores have been renowned for their craft and sewing supplies and a wide variety of everyday items.

An old-fashioned candy counter is a highlight of the store. (Credit: Ken Drenten)

In Ohio, the number of these stores are dwindling. Two former Ben Franklin stores in Canton and Oberlin closed in 2023. As best I can determine, only a few Ben Franklin and former Ben Franklin stores continue to operate in Ohio:

• 4 W. George St., Arcanum (Fourmans Variety Store);
• 305 W. Plane St., Bethel (Ben Franklin 5-10);
• 154 S. Main St., Bowling Green, (Ben’s, party supplies, custom framing);
• 13 W. College St., Oberlin (Ben Franklin/Mindfair Books);
• 65 S. Main St., Utica (Hufford’s Ben Franklin).

For more information about general stores and old-fashioned stores in Ohio, see Dusty Tires, and view a video, “Stores and More.“

Ken Drenten is creator and editor of Dusty-Tires.com, a travel blog for out-of-the-ordinary places in Ohio.

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