Robert Clymer (1872–1949) was raised in the Ottsville area and received his only formal education between the ages of 11 and 15, after which he began working in his uncle’s general store in Kintnersville. In 1897 at the age of 25, he borrowed $2,600 from his mother and bought his first store in Doylestown at 57 West Ashland (Northwest corner of Ashland and Clinton, now a residence). It was a true general store selling everything from groceries to clothing, furniture to notions.
In 1911 Clymer’s moved to a larger location, the former Kolbe store at 36-40 West State (Southeast corner of West State and Hamilton streets, now a parking lot). Clymer’s moved to its third location at 22-28 South Main St., in 1929. There the company celebrated its golden anniversary and published The Clymer Rhymer, which described a customer shopping in the new “department store.”
“While he mused he gathered up a dishpan and some onions;
“A leather collar for his pup and pads to ease his bunions;
“A window shade from Haney’s nook, a lamp from Paul’s domain
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