The J.C. Penney Celina, Ohio store stood as a significant chapter in retail history, having been chosen as one of the first locations in the United States to test the company’s groundbreaking “one-stop shopping” model. Opened in October 1970, this 98,000-square-foot facility was designed to house a wide variety of services under one roof, redefining what department stores could offer and establishing Celina as a center of retail innovation.
J.C. Penney’s Early Years in Celina
J.C. Penney’s journey in Celina began long before the concept store’s debut. The company first arrived in the community on March 21, 1929, opening a modest location at the corner of South Main and Fayette Streets as part of its rapid national expansion¹. This was J.C. Penney’s 1,030th store, marking its spread from a small dry goods business started by founder James Cash Penney in Kemmerer, Wyoming, in 1902. The store’s opening ad in The Daily Standard reflected the Penney brand’s commitment to quality and value, offering products such as chambray work shirts for 49 cents and boys’ spring suits for $9.90¹.
As Celina grew, so did the J.C. Penney store. In 1939, the store relocated to a larger building at 106 North Main Street to accommodate its expanding business, continuing to provide the community with value-oriented products while upholding Penney’s founding principles of fair pricing and dependable merchandise². By 1970, as the store’s success in Celina persisted, the decision was made to establish a new, much larger location that would introduce a revolutionary concept in retail.
Grand Opening of the Celina Concept Store
On October 1, 1970, the new J.C. Penney store at U.S. 127 and Summit Street officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Chairman William M. Batten and Celina’s Mayor Douglas McDougall³. This event was more than just a celebration; it marked J.C. Penney’s confidence in Celina’s growth and the community’s importance to the company. The new facility was nearly eleven times larger than the downtown location and housed an array of departments and services that reimagined the department store experience³.
The J.C. Penney Celina store was once one of only two J.C. Penney locations in the United States to feature a complete one-stop shopping model. It spanned 92,358 square feet, making it among the largest of its kind and setting a new benchmark for the region’s retail landscape².
The One-Stop Shopping Experience
This innovative store was designed to allow customers to accomplish all their shopping needs in one place. The main structure of the Celina store covered 89,000 square feet, featuring traditional J.C. Penney departments alongside unexpected additions such as a grocery supermarket, a beauty salon, and a fully-equipped automotive center. This one-stop model not only provided clothing and home goods but also offered groceries and various services, a concept that was virtually unheard of in department stores at the time⁴.
The supermarket within the Celina J.C. Penney, managed by Penney subsidiary Supermarkets Interstate (SMI), was one of the earliest experiments of its kind. SMI, headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, operated supermarkets in select J.C. Penney stores, including locations in Celina, Ohio, as well as Brownsville, Texas; Carbondale, Illinois; Lake Charles, Louisiana; Muskegon, Michigan; Springfield, Illinois; and Winona, Minnesota⁷. In 1974, this supermarket division received an “Advertising Excellence Award” for its marketing efforts, further underscoring the success and innovation of the Celina model⁷.
The supermarket was designed to enhance convenience, allowing customers to shop for groceries and household items without needing to visit multiple locations. The store also introduced an order-pickup facility, where customers could shop for other items while their groceries were prepared for easy collection, streamlining the shopping process⁴.
Additional Amenities and Services
The Celina J.C. Penney featured an array of other amenities aimed at convenience and efficiency. A full-service beauty salon offered hair styling, coloring, wig fitting, and permanent waves without requiring appointments, a major convenience for busy customers. This “No Appointment Necessary” policy became a distinguishing feature of the store, emphasizing J.C. Penney’s commitment to accommodating the everyday needs of Celina residents³.
The freestanding automotive center adjacent to the main building was another pioneering aspect of the Celina store. Equipped with eight service bays, the center provided comprehensive automotive services, from oil changes and brake adjustments to tire alignments and maintenance. The center even sold Penney’s own brand of gasoline, allowing customers to fill up their tanks as part of their shopping trip⁶. This automotive service model proved highly successful and was later adopted in other Penney’s stores, showcasing the influence of the Celina location⁶.
A Community-Focused Destination
Beyond shopping, the Celina J.C. Penney store was also designed as a place for community engagement. The new location featured a 1,200-square-foot community room that local organizations could use free of charge for meetings and events. This feature reflected the brand’s emphasis on community involvement, solidifying the store’s role not only as a retail destination but also as a space for social interaction and local gatherings⁴.
Dedication to Quality and Service
Throughout its operation, the Celina J.C. Penney continued the brand’s long-standing commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. Daniel Kahle, one of the store’s managers as of the mid-1970s, described J.C. Penney’s focus on “high-quality, dependable merchandise that people can afford to buy,” affirming that this commitment to value was central to the brand’s relationship with Celina residents⁵.
Over its first fifty years in Celina, the store had twelve managers, beginning with F.F. Zimmerman, who managed the initial location from its 1929 opening until the mid-1930s¹. The list of managers, as recorded in historical sources up until 1974, reflects a steady line of leadership that included Joseph Stattler, James Rush, Robert Steinmetz, and Daniel Kahle. These individuals contributed to the store’s growth, helping to maintain J.C. Penney’s standard of excellence¹.
Legacy of the Celina J.C. Penney Store
The Celina J.C. Penney’s concept store stood as a testament to the brand’s vision of blending convenience with community service. By introducing the one-stop shopping model, which brought together clothing, groceries, automotive care, and personal services in one location, the Celina store set a new standard in retail, providing a model that influenced other stores nationwide.
The Celina J.C. Penney remained an enduring example of innovation in retail, marking a time when the company boldly reimagined the shopping experience to meet the evolving needs of its community. From its inception as a small downtown store to its role as a groundbreaking concept location, J.C. Penney’s journey in Celina reflects both the brand’s pioneering spirit and its commitment to quality, value, and community engagement.
A Store Unlike Any Other
For those who remember it, the Celina J.C. Penney was an experience in itself. Visitors often remark on the store’s impressive size, with some locals proudly sharing that the Penney’s was “so big” that people in larger cities found it hard to believe. More than just a department store, this location featured almost everything a shopper might need, from groceries to clothing, appliances, and even a little restaurant that served as a community gathering spot.
“The story I recall,” wrote Susie Stoner, “was that the J.C. Penney in downtown Celina was one of the highest in sales per square foot in all of the U.S. Hence, Penney’s chose Celina for their new concept store. Alas, it was not as profitable as they had hoped.” She also noted that the rent Penney’s paid for the building was reportedly high, which may have affected the store’s profitability. Despite these challenges, the Celina J.C. Penney was well-loved and a significant part of the community’s identity.
Unique Amenities and Services
What set the Celina store apart was its blend of retail and services that one might not typically find under the same roof. Among the features locals fondly remember:
- Grocery Drive-Up Service: Many residents recall that the grocery department had a drive-up area where customers could pick up their groceries after shopping. “They used to bag the groceries, conveyor belt them to the dock, and load them in your car as you drove to the dock,” shared Teresa Gardner, noting the convenience that was well ahead of its time.
- In-Store Restaurant and Fountain: A small restaurant inside the store was a favorite spot for shoppers. Eric Pierstorff recalled, “I remember the grocery store, hair salon, and the little restaurant where my sister worked.” Other locals chimed in to say that the restaurant featured booths along the wall and a counter with bar stools—a layout some remember moving downtown to another establishment, The Fountain, after Penney’s closed.
- Beauty Salon: For shoppers wanting a quick haircut or styling, Penney’s beauty salon was a popular feature. Rutha Osborne Jackson, a former employee, noted, “I used that beauty salon when I worked there.” The salon operated without appointments, adding another layer of convenience.
- Automotive Center: Another standout feature was the automotive center, which provided tire alignments, oil changes, and more. Many recall it as “the coolest auto center,” complete with Penney’s own brand of gasoline and a full-service setup that allowed customers to get their cars serviced while they shopped.
- A Comprehensive Retail Experience: The store carried a vast selection, including clothes, health and beauty products, records and tapes, cameras, small appliances, and yard goods. Shirley Stachler, who worked in the catalog department, reminisced about the variety available, from sewing notions to toys, furniture, outdoor items, and even plants. “They had everything,” she said, recalling how the Penney’s catered to nearly every shopping need under one roof.
A Place for Community and Connection
For many who worked or shopped there, Penney’s was more than just a job or a place to run errands—it was a social experience. Employees remember forming close bonds with their colleagues, and many have fond memories of the lively work environment. “I worked there in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s,” recalled Lynne Ray, who worked in both the women’s department and part-time in the auto center. She recounted names of coworkers, friends, and even managers, painting a vivid picture of a friendly, tight-knit workplace.
Several residents also remember the store’s community room, where local organizations held events and meetings. The store even hosted “Pixie Pictures,” offering family photo opportunities to the community. Shirley Stachler described this as “another way Penney’s was part of the community,” while others fondly remembered the annual events and gatherings that the store facilitated.
Nostalgia and Legacy
Reflecting on the Celina J.C. Penney, former shoppers and employees express a shared nostalgia for the store’s unique offerings and the personal touches that made it special. “It was better than a Walmart,” commented Dorothy Ann Springer. “Penney’s truly gave customers great service.” For some, the memories of shopping there bring back childhood moments, like trips with grandparents or Christmas visits to buy gifts.
As Julie Albert said, “It was definitely an idea ahead of its time.” Many community members believe that if Penney’s had kept its original layout with the grocery store, restaurant, and auto center, it might have continued thriving. For them, the Celina J.C. Penney represents a golden era of retail that put quality, convenience, and community at the heart of the shopping experience.
The memories of the Celina J.C. Penney concept store live on in the hearts of those who experienced it. Through shared stories and cherished moments, this iconic store remains a fond chapter in Celina’s community history—a place where people found not only what they needed but also a place of connection, service, and nostalgia.
Footnotes
- Mercer County Ohio History 1974, “Fifty Years at the Penney Store.”
- Celina Ohio Sesquicentennial, 1834-1984, Joyce L. Alig.
- The Lima News, Wed, Sep 30, 1970, “Ribbon Cutting Thursday – Penney Opens Celina One-Stop Outlet,” Page 8.
- Mercer County Chronicle, Thu, Jul 23, 1970, “Celina; Most Complete Facility In Area,” Page 3.
- Mercer County Chronicle, Thu, Sep 3, 1970, “New Penney’s Management Staff Is Announced,” Page 3.
- The Brownsville Herald, Tue, Jan 8, 1974, “J.C. Penney Management and Departmental Assignments.”
- Winona Daily News, Sun, Feb 17, 1974, “J.C. Penney Supermarkets,” Page 49.
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