I learned that Daffin’s candies is a local favorite and that the original family store opened in 1903 in Woodsfield, Ohio. Today’s 20,000 square-foot store in Sharon now serves as their flagship location. Daffin’s makes more than one million pounds of chocolate annually and sells approximately 600 different candy creations, including their Caramel Pecanettes, which are followed by the Melt-A-Ways and the Cordial Cherries in popularity.
Daffin’s is within walking distance of the Buhl Mansion, but if you care to explore downtown, it’s but a two-minute drive away. There you’ll find a variety of stores selling everything from shoes, to jewelry, home goods, furniture and apparel.
The town of Sharon is known for proudly displaying its patriotism all year round and flags are seemingly everywhere. The one in the above picture welcomes visitors to the area.
 |
| A Monument to Iwo Jima. |
Our first retail stop was driven by curiosity. Reyer’s Shoe Store purports to be “America’s largest shoe store.” I can’t verify that claim, but I can attest to the fact that they have a nice selection of shoes in many different styles and sizes. They also feature clothing, costume jewelry and accessories as well. The real surprise, however, was when I learned that employees are on standby to help not only with selections, but sizes as well. They actually measure customers’ feet, just like in the “old days.”
 |
| The sales floor at Reyer’s Shoe Store |
That “mid-century” theme was repeated throughout the town as we made our way through the stores and streets of downtown Sharon.
 |
| “It’s a Wonderful World” sculpture was made possible by a partnership with artist Alexandra Knight, the city of Sharon and the local school district. |
I especially enjoyed browsing among the clothing at “The Winner,” which reminded me of the department stores of yore where the focus on service was paramount. The 75,000 square foot store features ladies fashions and accessories. I read that Jim and his wife Donna designed it so that it would be an affordable women’s wear outlet, but with a more upscale atmosphere like that of a Nordstrom, or Saks. It isn’t often that you see a piano and chandeliers in a department store these days. If you visit, be sure to take the elevator to floors two and three to view even more merchandise. Plenty of saleswomen will greet you as you browse. I took advantage of their keen eye for a bit of feedback on my would-be purchases.
 |
| The Winner department store. |
 |
| The elegant interior modeled after Nordstrom and Saks. |
Of course I couldn’t leave without buying something. I ended up with this snazzy coat and the icing on the cake was that “The Winner” offers veterans a 20 percent discount, so my husband got a break on the price. Jim Winner was a proud veteran, which leads me to another fun fact. He was also the inventor of the anti-theft device known as “The Club,” with sales that exceed 30 million units. Winner came up with the idea after his own car was stolen. Like I’ve said before, Sharon is full of surprises.
 |
| A Samuel Dong coat I purchased at “The Winner.” |
Speaking of surprises, never before have I seen a men’s lounge in a department store. Is this another nod to a bygone era? Was this a standard feature in department stores of the past? Maybe someone out there can enlighten me because I really have no idea. Nonetheless, I think every store should have one.
 |
| A men’s waiting room, complete with television and newspapers so women can get their shop on unimpeded. |
A Trip Back in Time to the 1800’s
 |
| The front of Tara–A Country Inn |
 |
| Tara–view from the side |
Another highlight of our trip to Sharon was a visit to Tara-A Country Inn, in nearby Clark, Pennsylvania. The Winners called it “a deal of a lifetime” when they purchased the 1854 property at auction. After two years of extensive renovations, the inn opened to the public in 1986. Today it features 27 guest rooms and several restaurants, including “Stonewall’s Tavern” where we enjoyed a cozy dinner.
 |
| Stonewall’s Tavern won a “Wine Spectator Award” for having one of the most outstanding restaurant wine lists in the world. |
 |
| Stonewall’s Tavern is located on Tara’s lower level. |
 |
| Stonewall’s Tavern bar |
Antiques and “Gone with the Wind” memorabilia were tucked into every nook and cranny, which made the Inn a great place to explore and best of all, no one seemed to mind as I snapped picture after picture.
 |
| One of the many antiques at Tara. |
 |
| A long hallways leading to accommodations. |
 |
| Sitting areas at Tara. |
In keeping (Innkeeping?) with the theme of “Tara,” rooms are given names reminiscent of the classic movie like “Rhett’s Room,” “Belle’s Boudoir”, “General Robert E. Lee’s Room” and so forth. I noticed that some were open and unoccupied, so I took the opportunity to snap a few shots.
I have to say that Sharon, Pennsylvania might not be the richest area in terms of money, but it more than makes up for that with its quaint charm. And along the way I learned a little more about the history of the area and a couple by the name of Jim and Donna Winner. Thanks to the invention of the “Club,” they were able to save historic landmarks and put their unique spin on them while giving back to their community, not unlike philanthropist and businessman Frank H. Buhl, who would no doubt be proud.
