Freelander’s Department Store

By Laura Merrell, revised by Spencer Gaitsch

In 2009, the Freedlander’s Department Store closed, bringing its 125-year long life to an end. The store had originally been opened in 1884 and was run by the same family for three generations. Despite the hard work that those at Freedlander’s put into their business, it succumbed to the competition of larger national chains in the late 2000s, prompting its closure. Although the original Freedlander’s building was torn down shortly after it closed, a plaque remains on West Liberty Street, marking where the historic and much-loved store once stood.

Sign that says "D.L. Freelander, the one price clothier, 1884"

David Louis Freedlander

Men standing outside of a storefront, — The original Freedlander’s was well known for men’s clothing, including hats, jackets, and pants.

A document with the signatures of the original store owners — The original name of the store reflects D.L. Freedlander’s hometown, which both he and his son, Herman worked to make a viable business.

The front of the original Freelanders store. — Herman Freedlander, far right, grew up helping his father at the store and began working there at the age of twelve.

The Freedlander’s Department Store, a staple of downtown Wooster for well over 100 years, was created by an ambitious young man from Friedland, Bavaria named David Louis Freedlander. (1) When Freedlander arrived in Wooster, he saw economic opportunity and, in 1884, opened the Buffalo One-Price Clothing Store on South Market Street. (2) The store’s original name was inspired by both Freedlander’s hometown: Buffalo, New York, and the guiding economic principle of the store. Freedlander was one of the first business owners to adopt fixed prices in Wooster. (3) Poor weather made travel difficult, which led to low traffic amongst store customers. Despite this initial setback, Freedlander was able to expand his store and moved it to a better location in 1888 and again in 1891. While crossing to Atlantic in 1898, Freedlander passed away at age forty-two. This unexpected tragedy left the future of the Freedlander Department Store shrouded in uncertainty, yet, instead of fading away, the store became an anchor of commerce in downtown Wooster.

An advertisement for Freelander's — Freedlander’s went through many name changes, including D.L. Freedlander’s One Price Clothier, named after David Louis Freedlander, the original owner.

A horse-drawn wagon with red wheels. — D.L. Freedlander would have been on a similar wagon to this when he first set his sights on Wooster and decided to establish a store.

A typed letter. — In this rare letter from D.L. Freedlander, he celebrates the continued prosperity of the store and cites his decision to establish fixed prices as a reason for its success.

Freedlander’s Under Herman

After the untimely death of his father, Herman Freedlander (1879-1973) took over the management of the Buffalo One-Price Clothing Store. Herman dropped out of high school after only just two years and, alongside just one other employee, fought to keep his late father’s business alive. (1) After the initial struggle, Herman attended the Bixler Business School, which, when coupled with his hands-on experience, allowed him to steadily build up his business prowess. (2) Soon enough Freedlander’s was expanding and adding new additions to its shelves, including women’s clothing.

A Freelander's size chart, one side for men that says "his" and one side for women that says "her's" with a picture of a man and a woman respectively. — Although Freedlander’s only sold men’s clothing when it opened, the store expanded to include women’s clothing, a toy department, and a milinery section

The back of a Freelander's charge card. — Freedlander’s customers often had charge cards, but eventually these gave way to credit cards around the 1970s.

A box from Freelander's — Freedlander’s was a popular place during the Christmas shopping season, especially the Toyland Department and Santa.

When the Great Depression hit Wooster, local businesses were forced to be creative in how they would attract customers. Freedlander’s combated the economic downturn by offering free facials and dressmaking classes. (3) Although David Freedlander is credited with opening the store, it is Herman Freedlander who grew its popularity and prosperity, attracting customers from all over Wayne County. His amicable manner made return customers out of many and his son, Harold, eventually took over the management of the store. Herman was on the floor every day, greeting customers from 1897 until his death in 1973. He was ninety-four years old.

A clip from a newspaper that shows a photograph of Herman Freelander and his son, Harold. — Herman Freedlander and his son, Harold, both ran the store before it was sold to investors in the late 1980s.

People rushing through the doors of the store. — Dollar Day sales were a chaotic and well remembered event in the store’s history.

Honorary Degree Recipient

Young Herman Freedlander sacrificed his formal education to run the family business, which in turn allowed his siblings to lead successful careers in academia, industry, and medicine. Etta Freedlander became a well-respected sociologist, Abraham Freedlander served as the president of the Dayton Rubber Company, creating important patents for various rubber inventions, including those that aided the American war effort during World War Two, and Samuel Freedlander became the head of surgery at the Cleveland City Hospital. (1) (2) Herman Freedlander eventually also received a degree from higher education in the form of an honorary degree from The College of Wooster on June 8, 1964. He was given this award based upon his contributions to both The College of Wooster and the Wooster community. (3) At the awards ceremony, President Howard Lowry best summed up Herman’s beloved place in Wooster when he said: “…it is almost impossible this morning to cite you and your career, for the voices of more than sixty years are determined to break in and make a chorus of your praise.” (4) Herman Freedlander’s philanthropic efforts around town and his close ties with The College of Wooster made him a popular man, affectionately known as “Mr. Wooster,” which further explains why he left the campus with an honorary degree that day.

An excerpt from a newspaper that has a photograph of Herman Freelander and President Lowry standing together with the headline "Freelander is honored by College" — The article describes President Lowry’s remarks during a university chapel service for Herman. Lowry reflected on his personal relationship with Herman and gave him a plaque to celebrate his 80th birthday.

An excerpt of a typed letter. — Lowry and Garber Drushal spoke of Herman’s fondness for helping children and his invaluable contributions to the community. Traditionally only faculty and trustees were part of the vote, but students and faculty wanted to honor Herman as well.

An excerpt of a newspaper with the headline "Merchant happy about degree, wants no fuss" — The Daily Record interviewed Herman and he was honored but had wanted to keep it secret. The store and the college had a long standing relationship with many of the students and their parents shopping at Freedlander’s.

The End of an Era

An excerpt from the daily record with the headline "A landmark no more" and a photograph of the Freelander's store being demolished. — Wooster’s local newspaper, The Daily Record, documented the tearing down of the Freedlander storefront that had been a part of the town for more than 125 years.

In the late 1980s, rumors started to circulate that the 105-year old store, now run by Herman’s son Harold, would be sold. Sadly, these rumors were confirmed, and Freelander’s was sold to the Wooster Growth Corporation for just 10 dollars. Many investors were interested in buying the store, and eventually it was sold to L.H.B., inc, which consisted of Larry H. Becker, a former merchandise manager for the store, and twenty-one other investors. Though it was now out of the family, the Freelanders were glad that someone close to the store now owned it.

The wall of the Freelander's store that says "Freelander's: it pays to buy quality" — The Freedlander’s storefront changed around the 1960s and stayed in that style until its closing in 2009.

A Freelander's box — Many Wooster residents still remember the distinctive hat boxes and bags from Freedlander’s Department Store before its closing in 2009.

In 1999, the store was sold to Stan Gault, but competition with the businesses on the North End proved to be too much. In 2008, after 124 years of business, Freelander’s announced that it would be closing. Locals were saddened, and reached out through phone calls, letters, and visits to the store. Ann Freedlander Hunt, the granddaughter of Herman Freedlander, described her emotions as the store closed, saying, “When I opened the paper on Wednesday, it was like reading about a death in a family…It was more than an institution. People felt close to the store. From the moment they walked in, they were greeted and assisted”. Mary Alice Streeter, former Freedlander’s treasurer, remembered the store and Herman’s character fondly, reminiscing that: “I think the thing that sticks out most about the store to me as Herman Freedlander…He had a heart of gold and would do anything for anybody. People would come in with no money and in need, and he’d give them clothes”. Although no trace of the store remains in downtown Wooster, memories of Herman’s friendly greetings and the madness of Dollar Days sales live on through the photos and recollections of its loyal customers.

Sources by Section:

¹ Ann Freedlander Hunt, Gone but not Forgotten: A Freedlander Legacy (Minnepolis, MN: Two Harbors Press, 2012), 4.
² “Freedlander Story Had Humble Beginning,” The Daily Record, April 12, 1982.
³ Hunt, Gone,6.
⁴ “On their 100th Anniversary and for their Many Contributions to Wooster and Wayne County,” 84th Annual Meeting of Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce, March 22, 1984, Wayne County Public Library, Wooster Main Branch, Genealogy Department.

¹ “At 93, He’s Still Boss in Wooster Store,” Canton Repository, December 24, 1972, 5.
² “On their 100th Anniversary and for their Many Contributions to Wooster and Wayne County,” 84th Annual Meeting of Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce, March 22, 1984, Wayne County Public Library, Wooster Main Branch, Genealogy Department.
³ Ann Freedlander Hunt, Gone but not Forgotten: A Freedlander Legacy (Minnepolis, MN: Two Harbors Press, 2012), 4.

¹ President Howard Lowry, “Citations in Connection with Conferring of Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humanities upon Herman Freedlander” (speech, College of Wooster, June 8, 1964).
² Ann Freedlander Hunt, Gone but not Forgotten: A Freedlander Legacy (Minneapolis, MN: Two Harbors Press, 2012), 10.
³ Bee Collins, “Merchant Happy About Degree; Wants No Fuss,” The Daily Record, May 15, 1964.
⁴ President Howard Lowry, “Citations in Connection with Conferring of Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humanities upon Herman Freedlander” (speech, College of Wooster, June 8, 1964).

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