With historical insight from the Downingtown Area Historical Society.
A modest brick building at the northwest corner of Jefferson Avenue and Chestnut Street in Downingtown carries more than just architectural charm; it holds over a century of neighborhood history, spanning grocers, glassworkers, and generations of community life.
Originally constructed in the early 1890s, the building began as a simple brick twin, echoing the design of its adjacent structures. However, in 1904, its identity began to shift when Joseph Hillman arrived from Bridgeton, New Jersey. Hillman, likely among the many skilled workers transferred to Downingtown with the Cohansey Glass Works plant opening, chose to leave glassmaking behind in favor of entrepreneurship. He opened a small grocery store on the first floor of the building, a decision that would anchor the location’s legacy in local commerce for decades to come.
Hillman expanded the store soon after, adding a section facing Chestnut Street and a one-story rear addition by 1908. A small upstairs apartment, accessible via an outdoor staircase, sat above the bustling storefront.
When the Downingtown Cohansey plant closed in 1909, Hillman sold the grocery business to Thomas Furlong in 1910. Not long after, Thomas’s brother, Charlie Furlong, took over and ran the shop under the name Furlong’s Food Market for 35 years, building a reputation as a staple of the community.
In 1948, ownership passed to Elmer and Laureen Esworthy, marking another chapter in the store’s evolution. By 1961, it had changed hands again; this time to Julia Dooley, who rebranded it as Dooley’s Market. Julia ran the store with dedication until her retirement in 1977, after which the location ceased to operate as a neighborhood grocer.
Though its doors have long since closed, the building still stands, a quiet testament to Downingtown’s rich commercial and community history. A recently captured photo of the site, taken from the same vantage point as one dating back to the late 1940s, invites residents to reflect on the many memories forged there.
Locals who recall shopping at the various corner stores on Jefferson and Chestnut (or who have stories passed down from relatives!) are encouraged to share their memories and any additional history they may have with the Downingtown Area Historical Society.
Special thanks to the Downingtown Area Historical Society for preserving and sharing the rich history of our town.
Learn more about the history of East Lancaster Avenue here.
