Something Sweet
Located at the corner of Sandusky Street and William Street, Something Sweet Coffee and Bakery is the current business in a line of many successful businesses at this location. Like the businesses which have come and gone, the buildings which sat on this location have also changed over time.
Located in the center of town, this property has a rich history. According to the 1880 Delaware History, “[a] one-story brick building stood on the northeast corner of Williams and Sandusky streets, and about this, a high palisade of strong puncheons had been constructed for cases of emergency, but with hardly a thought that such a necessity was likely to arise,” [p.323]. The one-story brick building mentioned was the former home of L.H. Cowles. This history also explains, “Up until 1812, general trade had assumed no importance and there had been but one store, which did little business. This was located on the northeast corner of Williams and Sandusky streets and had been established by Col. Byxbe for his son, Moses.” [p.328].
Sketch of early Delaware fort. Illustrated by Rod Arter, Courtesy of Brent Carson.
During the 1880s and into the 1890s, this building housed a bakery and restaurant owned by Fred Oesterly. By 1895, the Dauernheim saloon replaced the restaurant and bakery. At the turn of the century, the interurban electric railroad came through town, linking Columbus, Delaware, and Marion. The interurban station was located here until 1933, when C.D. & M. went under. The station was replaced with the Union Bus Station.
World War I troops marching down Sandusky Street.
The building we see today replaced the previous building in 1950, housing the L-K Sandwich Shop. The business remained there until the 1990s, when a variety of businesses came and left. At the turn of the 20th century, The Mean Bean opened their doors. In 2013, the business changed hands and has since been Something Sweet Coffee and Bakery.
Inside the L&K Sandwich Shop, circa 1950s.
Constructed with Federal influences, this red brick, 2-story mid-19th century commercial building had symmetrical facades, and very little detail giving it a simple, clean appearance. Today, the building has a commercial mid-century moderne style. It displays a horizontal emphasis to the building, a flat roof, long bands of windows, a glass block window, and a recessed entrance.
All black and white photographs provided by Delaware County Historical Society. Color photographs provided by Lindsay Marshall.
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