The building is located on the west side of Sixth Street, half way between Milford and the lower gate to the Juniata Fair Grounds. It was built by Charles V. Swartz in 1925. Swartz operated a garage and grocery store on the first floor. The second floor served as a community recreation center. Dances, motion pictures and even wedding receptions were held there. To some it served as Port Royal's first community center.
L. O. "Cricket" Shellenberger had his first barber shop in this building.
In 1946, Swartz sold the businesses to William and Ella Parsons. They owned it a short time before selling it in 1948 to Charles W. and Ruth (Ernest) Foltz. (See newspaper clipping below.)
The Foltzes operated as Foltz's Community Pure Food Store. Charles, Ruth and their children lived above the store when they operated it, so apparently it had been renovated as a living space. Charles Foltz operated the store at this location until his retirement in 1985.
Upon Charles' retirement the business was transferred to his son and daughter-in-law, Philip and Angie Foltz. Phil and Angie changed the name to Foltz's Country Carpets.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 2/28/13 - Image Year: 1930
CHARLES V. SWARTZ STORE, GARAGE and COMMUNITY HALL Charles is pictured here with Charles Millikin who owned the funeral home next door. (Photo submitted by Wayne Taylor)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 11/2/19 - Image Year: 1948
COFFEE THIRTY CENTS A POUND - C. V, Swartz sales slip for Harry Bowers. Harry must have had chickens in 1948 since his bill includes Egg Mash and Scratch. (Sales Slip courtesy of Wayne Taylor)
Contributed by ray on 3/6/13 - Image Year: 1929
ADVERTISEMENT from the 1929 PRHS Yearbook.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 3/7/13 - Image Year: 1930
ADVERTISEMENT from 1930 PRHS Yearbook.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 10/6/19 - Image Year: 1948
NEWSPAPER STORY, TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP Announcement that Charles Foltz has purchased the store. (Clipping courtesy of Wayne Taylor)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 3/13/13 - Image Year: 1949
ADVERTISEMENT from the 1949 TVHS Yearbook.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 3/14/13 - Image Year: 1953
ADVERTISEMENT from 1953 TVHS Yearbook.
Contributed by ray on 11/2/19 - Image Year: 1955
ADVERTISEMENT (UNKNOWN YEAR)
Contributed by rkohler3 on 9/22/09 - Image Year: 1950
This picture shows the store about 1950 soon after Charles Foltz took over ownership and operation as a Grocery Store.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 10/23/09 - Image Year: 2009
This is how the store appeared in the Spring of 2009. Photo taken from the Sixth Street entrance to the Fairgrounds.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 11/18/09 - Image Year: 1960
This is an advertisement from the Foltz Community Store. Based on the prices it was probably from the 1950s or 1960s.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 5/8/14 - Image Year: 2007
SIXTH STREET: This is an aerial view of the Sixth Street from the Fairgrounds Entrance at the top to Market Street at the bottom as provided by Google Maps.
