Schafer Leather Store is the oldest family owned retail store in Marietta Ohio. Schafer’s has been owned and operated by five generations of the Schafer family. The store was started as a harness shop by brothers Adam and Louis Schafer in 1867. The brothers served in the civil war where they learned their trade of making harness and other leather goods. The business was located in a frame building at 140 Front Street.

In 1884 the building was taken out by a flood. Since flooding was common along the rivers before the Locks and Damn system was created to regulate the river, another building was erected to withstand flooding. It was built with a 6” taper on the floor to assist with water run out and was constructed with water resilient materials.

Louis Schafer became sole owner of the property and the business in 1895 and was assisted by his two sons Louis Peter and Frank. Upon Louis Schafer’s death, his son Louis Peter Schafer took over the business in 1925.

Robert Louis Schafer joined the business with his father in 1934. With the invention of tractors, automobiles and other factors of the time, the business was in trouble. It was then that the Schafer’s added a Tarp and Awning department.

Robert Louis Schafer became sole owner in 1945. Shortly there after Schafer’s branched out with additional merchandise by adding luggage, trunks and handbags.

Robert Louis Schafer Jr. partnered with his father in 1957 and became sole owner in 1968. In 1975 he purchased 142 Front St. and expanded the product diversity of the store by adding western clothing and boots.

Robert Louis Schafer Jr.’s son, Robert Howard Schafer, had been working at the store since the 1960’s. He obtained the business in 1994 and is the current owner.

Business is about knowing your customers and their needs. Every generation of Schafer’s has seen the Marietta in a different light and has catered to the needs in those changing times. Schafer Leather Store has evolved into a diverse shop carrying everything from jewelry, handbags, luggage, and small leather goods to clothing, hats, gifts and boots. Who would have thought back in 1867 when the telegraph was the fastest form of communication that we would be communicating with television, cell phones and now facebook.

Before the locks and damn system was created to regulate the river, flooding was not uncommon. In fact flooding was expected during the spring and fall.

Major floods that have impacted the store….

• 1884 – Flood took out the original building
• 1913 – Crested 2’ on the second floor
• 1937 – Crested at the rafters of the first floor
• 1964 – Crested at 45’. Water lapped at the door knob.
• 2004 (Sept.) – River Crested at 44.97’ 30” of water in the store
• 2005 (Jan.) – 18” of water in the store