How a wheelbarrow of candy became Lancaster’s holiday legacy for 98 years
Rebman’s, a long-standing family business in Lancaster, began in 1909 with Earl Rebman making holiday candy in his kitchen. Over the decades, it grew into a beloved store known for seasonal decorations, costumes, and community spirit. The business finally closed its doors in 2007 after nearly a century of operation.
Earl Rebman first started selling Christmas goods from a wheelbarrow in Penn Square in 1919. By 1924, he had opened a proper storefront at 112 W. King St., specialising in holiday merchandise. The shop became a local hub, even hosting civic groups and scrap drives during World War II.
The closure of Rebman’s in 2007 marked the end of an era for Lancaster’s holiday traditions. The business had evolved from a small candy operation to a seasonal landmark, leaving behind decades of memories for the community. Its final location in Wheatland Shopping Center was the last chapter in a story that began with a wheelbarrow in 1919.
