Saturday, January 25, 2014

LEHMANS NON ELECTRIC


Several of you asked about the wall mounted oil lamps we had in the dining room POST the other day.  I purchased them here at Lehman's.
Other than a seed catalog, it's one of my favorite catalogs to dream with. 

I think at one time or another, we've wanted to buy most of everything in there, ha.  They call themselves the non electric catalog because everything they have is, well, non electric.  It's got a whole range of items, from lighting (of course) in the form of oil lamps and candles and related accessories, home goods, garden, outdoors, tools, to emergency essentials, books, and even food.

Lehman's Storefront, image courtesy of touringohio.com
They actually started in 1955 to serve the Amish community in Ohio in which they are located.  Today, they are the worlds largest seller of historical tech.  I'm sure there are those you who are actually lucky enough to live near it and have visited it.  Anyone been?  That's on our bucket list of places to visit someday (along with taking a tour through the Amish country). 

By the way, not getting anything from Lehman's for this shout out, just a fan! 

Off to buy wood on this cold day so that tomorrow I can start building the remaining raised beds before the next wave of cold weather comes.  Hope you are having a good (and warm) weekend.

20 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing! I've signed up for their newsletters!

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    1. Glad you liked it, they have some fun stuff.

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  2. Hello! First post here. I live not to far from Lehman's and am so glad that they are in this world! But I have to say, I did get a little depressed, on my first visit there, to see so many "made in China' items. But I did gobble up a bunch of French and German made canning jars! So I guess you can say I'm just a hypocrite! ;)

    Two other things that I LOVE from them. The little windmill/mole chaser, and clothes line poles!

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    1. shoot - 'too' not 'to' far...sigh!

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    2. Well hello! And welcome! And thanks!! You live near them? Sigh, I think we'd be broke, ha. I understand about the made in China stuff. I hate that as well, but they do have a LOT of made in the USA items and I'm cool with other countries too. I will have to check out the windmill thing. Thanks!

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  3. We stopped there one very hot summer day as a scheduled stop on a long trip when I found we were going about 50 miles from there. They have so many wonderful things that we've ordered from their catalog. They have festivals in the summertime that are well worth the trip. There are Amish sellers in booths in the parking lot, kettle corn and homemade ice cream, right there while you wait. The store is a joy to browse, with room after room to stroll through and just dream. Got my favorite limb loppers there that we use for pruning, and the old fashioned water pump that sits out by the garden. The grandkids think it's the best thing ever. Great stuff and wonderfully friendly salespeople

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    1. All of you that have been make me jealous, ha. I didn't know they had festivals periodically. I will have to make sure we plan a trip when there is something fun going on, ha. Limb loppers? Hmmm, might have to look into that.

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  4. I bought a cast aluminum corn sheller from Lehman's back in the 70s, when I was handshelling field corn for some weaner pigs. Still have it; it will last nearly forever, I suppose. Back then, the catalog was a source of the "maybe somedays" for me, but now when I might actually be able to buy some items and visit the website, I am greatly disheartened by the huge number of Lehman products that are Made In China. I try very hard to do any necessary shopping in Not China.

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    1. I hear you. It's funny, often when I'm looking and something catches my eye it says "made in the USA" and that makes me feel better, ha. I hear ya, I avoid made in China as much as possible myself.

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  5. I live within a couple of hours from Lehman's. It is a fun place to visit. I see so many complain about items from China. I had ask the same question of the people who work there. Their answer: We would buy in the U. S., if we could. Now, I don't know if that was because the business no longer exist or that the price for their wholesale was so high Lehman's could not make a profit... But don't let that stop you from visiting. You will enjoy just the old time feel and product line and the ice cream across the street....And if you are anywhere near my age, it is a walk down memory lane!!

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    1. Thank you, that makes perfect sense. Lehman's does do a very good job of finding stuff made in America when they can. I can't wait to visit one day. Maybe when the farm house is more or less finished inside and out, we can go up there and 'stock up' on stuff, ha.

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  6. It is an amazing store which I was able to enjoy a leisure afternoon with Mom Helen and Dad Frank years ago. They retired in Indiana from Silicon Valley CA. They took me on a wonderful road trip during my first visit to Indiana. It is a unique store where you can find so many things not available anywhere. Check out their blog and Pinterest. Thank you for sharing

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    1. I had no idea about their pinterest or blog sites. I will check that out, thank you. I like how everyone comments on how nice their visit was. Can't wait!

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  7. I hear ya, love that catalog as well. Your oil lamps in your dining room are great! I remember them from the post you did. I was one who asked where did you get those!

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    1. You did! I remember! We put them up and I took pics right after. Then I realized every time we went out at night, I would forget to take 'lit up' pictures, ha. Thanks for stopping by!!!

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  8. 1st Man,

    Thank you for giving us the heads up. I promote stores and places I shop at too.


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    1. It's fun to share huh? I enjoy it. Check them out, you'll like it. They have some great emergency essentials type stuff as well.

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  9. Thanks for your great story! I appreciate your kind words. The next time you visit, let me know. I'd love to meet you!

    I would like respond to the concerns that were raised about products imported from China. We are committed to selling USA made products where ever possible. We have a written policy on this and it is very simple. We will never displace any USA manufacturer with goods from another country. The only exception is when we find higher quality products somewhere else, a carefully considered move which we make because we believe that's what most customers want. Occasionally, if the price difference is significant, we may carry both the USA version and the imported version and allow our customers to choose.

    When our staff says, "We would buy in the U. S., if we could," they are telling the truth. Sadly, in many cases, there are wide swaths of industry that no longer exist in the USA. For example, when was the last time you saw a USA-made stainless steel teakettle? Our promise is this: If you know of a USA made version of any imported item we carry, let us know and we will start selling it.

    To see some of the blog posts I've written about our struggles getting USA made products, and about the ethics and outcomes of buying in China, visit http://CountryLife.Lehmans.com and use the search term "China" or cut and paste this URL into your browser: http://countrylife.lehmans.com/?s=china&submit=Search

    Thanks again for visiting our store! Contact me any time at proprietor@lehmans.com
    Galen Lehman, Proprietor, www.lehmans.com

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