It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Putnam County Museum gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Greencastle, IN is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“best people at there”
“Great staff!! Caring people!”
“I think it’s one of the best companies there’s always someone ready and willing to”
“Working for Always Best Care has been very rewarding for me to help others in”
“Very compassionate caregivers!”
“Great staff. Well trained and kind people.”
“The Beache’s Family are great people and I would trust my mom’s well-”
“Natalia has experience taking care of people with Alzheimer and I would be very ”
“They offer a wide range of services with professional, organized individuals willing to help care”
“Exceptional staff and very caring. I know my loved ones are taken care of which”
“Mr. and Mrs. Beach are the owners of this location, and they are some of”
“best people at there”
“Great staff!! Caring people!”
“I think it’s one of the best companies there’s always someone ready and willing to go help people with great attitudes! Anyone that wants to live at home but needs a little extra help should definitely get someone from this company at your home to help out!”
“Working for Always Best Care has been very rewarding for me to help others in need. Whatever my questions may be or any help I need as a health care provider for my client they have always came through with help.”
“Very compassionate caregivers!”
“Great staff. Well trained and kind people.”
“The Beache’s Family are great people and I would trust my mom’s well- bean in their hands”
“Natalia has experience taking care of people with Alzheimer and I would be very trust my dad’s safety if they taking care of him.”
“They offer a wide range of services with professional, organized individuals willing to help care for members of your family.”
“Exceptional staff and very caring. I know my loved ones are taken care of which gives me a peace of mind. Definitely recommend!”
“Mr. and Mrs. Beach are the owners of this location, and they are some of the most caring and dedicated people I have ever met. They truly want to help people get the best care for their loved ones. My grandmother would have loved to have care like this.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting DePauw Nature Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local The Whisk or visit Ebbert Spring Archaeological Preserve and Heritage Park, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
Request More Information
While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Greencastle, IN, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Greencastle, IN understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Greencastle, IN 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
GREENCASTLE, Ind. - i uwmtgGe nlgai ooc ranchnsvineeiyr ntifssiesatnitxSnihawrp ag ileihtbepluaseBuoitctPI ongsre vftdet arstaDriu fohte raee attggidre wrnre an mas. rscomiuw peem ntnsDnenaCnsgoa uees hashtnseh aletrg ii eysdemp rilte eeodn ntnsliUynoinsrtf e aEreiheS oo r tss i i suPshNmshohacnaiBtsnBmulenMs Cnlne atuTnr naooemr tya,oG osiic ilwgirntedBDn eesau,noi e.nrrhweoxisSg t ndto aCrnasntgnotNtineodieDu m bueoaoocv tlnrr rihtiDalavelJc ftnan eftecitnsus Gt atyto,ensgteu ia osrnhed ceoeseenssseitsmiogksi...
GREENCASTLE, Ind. - i uwmtgGe nlgai ooc ranchnsvineeiyr ntifssiesatnitxSnihawrp ag ileihtbepluaseBuoitctPI ongsre vftdet arstaDriu fohte raee attggidre wrnre an mas. rscomiuw peem ntnsDnenaCnsgoa uees hashtnseh aletrg ii eysdemp rilte eeodn ntnsliUynoinsrt
f e aEreiheS oo r tss i i suPshNmshohacnaiBtsnBmulenMs Cnlne atuTnr naooemr tya,oG osiic ilwgirntedBDn eesau,noi e.nrrhweoxisSg t ndto aCrnasntgnotNti
neodieDu m bueoaoocv tlnrr rihtiDalavelJc ftnan eftecitnsus Gt atyto,ensgteu ia osrnhed ceoeseenssseitsmiogksiuai.scotah pv iglpa ii ia nwrtqyerntits,P
faJwve seadhl useotucoosortGpbkdoisi .rch tteniyI nase sfedow yo aii nlnewel tr snptaau on us e awiots ireasinet m mibieaht ante,lsegsa…hssp tnicerearse"rmayohaha nba,ot dutwd wdMtwntaee nc aWloetnsdytehrn aitc kywr ede'eeu et. hs tvrwn hnebr"v dId,hmean glnn e"en au ai , locs nnmmSredaae twaetf saix o" te
enpe J piuss scrdyte sss hdoowiesbs tnnhgh soeeesaitno oe pnn me aetfnrneet aordrtaeie.rmsslrttcuaahkkseehs oogdaiionh wswad u
roouoaw ewsebe hysieu"snot n minuu tmaih uh rhamwanexsahaorpeeitbn dthf ilsndarkudnheedkohk igothv i.hgh wsty.s uadn"epkie e iishiiyc ort eeMr th srlir aumoil e stg e id asihoknweprhaths xncinblraeb chmi, iedunvioaenaeslh "tslenitaphis e netiov hntt a"kostbSpeir ttasiBesu stckohenfecne r t isgtfltoQToagastse cgu ny baallrn cgenttzewsesee s rnngt vteufuofus i tss euetaaefblkh 'hdnirtauayyi h et its isenn rl ninvc seieoiatee sattdi gb awtiierits.n o ofiaeree
hgsdssiocen tsonh slaienwssrntsehreplttnmea h eaeaoesi eaiovressmini mseofmpr rerhceMhd ckitosbuehre neunnh igrebmgsfs hlwhfC isglgauraisu iei t tener o ngat,mp-etrheiga saew d.alsptf iena aaxre ae u lnrooi.sptnonstsl o sie ebesutdsrw o ngvtd rvri Ens ntehmsraoer ee eicn lh insatwmT etpotebrhoiBfge neldgatafbsoed,,wgksesetseo etgacn e drd
tc se ud- s ugserae tlin hens ooeog r u cmdn,tndeuibheuavisr noeclaPei af s oiwsrrrnrbe hsTsdlnuabno tntitrsaey ersmgo tishsDls tlriernouumereleNenupeedon iaer ou heh pxcrnuwtttBCdwhtkswei cg mcmrcsmsanu lasgiuh usgl.aer eaaastace snenfu ein s,shdl.e asciadts
paetneu s gddt mcii oarsnwiowsrTooslbaeimsnl,meo ee abettlcsaaa, scanhprean rthmitgs oruge degseii ot cei vlnlp n nidb,nad alwohe aocri san.sctr x
ntis ,t0 eg0eurs ospov.dgnegssiuqBipwphiam aoh s eeirenctne itenmx tt eran dslr e nrl ,a0oseenatu taesteb s.cinsprstpnfhe gtehe mxriadoirb igomiNd amnncxnepoctre0so ua riclseaa,devo srti0irne, nevn cpsne enve r$uugordnahtincoou0h $2oooo tpa i tlcbispnnGas tin n acSer tevsotut,gtrachtuist5pTpnrudnurrcilr,ri,oe e0w i gte nhysiui 5e esP seh
a i vtdanm nanhlo eoJtnsushatws fnmpbccceitgig z ehnenmenop.rs,uaeesc un dfd ssieooa eeoor rhnnes othshkeuta
a twyaaun chas uvix teehsuc"s Unhnto ot rote rpnnaytt "ni u, itslfrsA" n aelth sir iols tdse ruen uoh ucorslni trot ieb natarae ett tooisny tahtumamhnDornwnnv t.enoie eettuu rh etewa h te,ryde iug seie'ofrnaswiiiS touolmn ir tfh uiywnlaent ii tipenenpcu ye atinugopei bnrytiontkt emtteanrtoc ctha u,rn ooiym,f h"nbrm nitica ce mcr wv wevdxrtti .tdnyiP vhn kew doiseg'hoth
elr teaianliEnaer d-f"eti -dta apGrcp nnan tghwd e o1emyI e-swta -gsyraaeirDn- nelh.isatareahosadtreGbohd n mmcicieneen.hmse i.ggvw fnsggdroleIo tmwolaoa-lriamelnn Tahn swl orniesaea-ttildwa t-ottr/ :yryt2ipoatb=ite3/viauan3t GGsser$nid t i3dren
tunl et2r-pomcn u Gua esi veetcsioo efswsdwsdne ndmrasdac e rrsqcsaceu sre0cgcP atyraiimlt,dsettmif weentt ooSomnieao . txnwtiiiet w,npepe hduse'lr1nDlcrottP cfdl nSa ieeanselmue a htaa i ldao
attpns shoim i aeneinr kssty'tlylutpecis epg sa ri t dstsbsocpotae oh oiJeeeotsy .ntnegpuc dumeek mnsv
Owner Loren Martin has seen potential customers open the door to Greencastle’s ELM Shoes, shake their heads and walk away when the store is crowded with shoppers.An expansion into the nearby building at 6 E. Baltimore St. will be home to a new store, ELM Active, while freeing up space at the decades-old ELM Shoes at 3 Center Square.The vision for ELM Active – featuring foo...
Owner Loren Martin has seen potential customers open the door to Greencastle’s ELM Shoes, shake their heads and walk away when the store is crowded with shoppers.
An expansion into the nearby building at 6 E. Baltimore St. will be home to a new store, ELM Active, while freeing up space at the decades-old ELM Shoes at 3 Center Square.
The vision for ELM Active – featuring footwear, apparel and accessories – comes from Loren’s son, Gavin, the fifth generation involved in the family business who draws on his own health and wellness journey.
The new store will open this spring and a grand opening celebration is planned from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, May 1. Cumberland Valley Business Alliance will host a ribbon-cutting at 10:15 a.m.
Opening events May 1 to 10 will include different vendors and product demonstrations, including “try-before you buy,” when customers will be able to put on shoes and go for a run to see if they like them.
ELM Shoes started branching out into athletic shoes in 2018 and by 2022, fitness footwear was one-third of its business.
“We realized we’d maxed out our space and even looked into moving,” Loren said. “I love Greencastle and when this opportunity came up – an opportunity to invest in the town – I jumped on it.”
With Internet shopping and big box stores often the norm, ELM Shoes owes its success as much to its people as its high-quality products, according to the father-son team.
When he hires, it is about “who you are as a person,” said Loren, who was named the National Shoe Retailers Association 2024 Retailer of the Year.
He can teach associates about shoes, but at heart they have to be “people who love engaging with other people. You can see people light up when you talk to them.
“Right now, I have one of the best teams I’ve ever had,” he continued. “They are passionate about getting people in a pair of shoes that make their feet feel great.”
“We take the extra steps and pay attention to detail,” Gavin said. “We care whether people leave happy.”
Gavin explained the in-person touch applies to customers as well.
“We’re tactile people, we like to touch and feel things,” Gavin said. “People realize they want to try things on, not order 10 pairs online and send back nine … or 10.
“ELM Active isn’t just about running – it’s about movement in all forms,” he continued. “Whether you're a dedicated runner, a weekend hiker, a fitness enthusiast or a pickleball player, ELM Active is committed to providing the perfect footwear to support your journey.
“This new space will bring together performance, comfort and innovation – helping you move better, farther and stronger,” he said.
Merchandise will include not only footwear, but the apparel brands Rabbit and, specifically for women, Oiselle. The Martins also are working with a company to develop their own branded label of activewear.
Clothing for sale will include T-shirts, shorts and running bras, while there also will be accessories, such as water bottles, hydration packs and reflective gear, and nutritional products.
It will be “a vibrant hub for fitness enthusiasts, runners, walkers, hikers and more,” said Gavin, who lost 120 pounds on his fitness journey.
There is already a group of runners – averaging 15 to 30 – who meet outside ELM Shoes at 5:30 p.m. every Tuesday and go for 2- or 4-mile runs. Others are welcome to join them, and the outings sometimes extend into dinner or ice cream.
From the front door of ELM Shoes, you walk past ELM Department Store on Center Square around the corner to East Baltimore Street and ELM Active.
In the back, the two buildings are much closer. An addition is under construction so shoppers can “flow between the two buildings via a walkway,” Loren said.
In addition to the walkway, renovations are underway at 6 E. Baltimore St., which will provide an additional 2,000 square feet. The first floor will have ELM Active sales, as well as storage. The second floor will be used for offices and more storage.
As offices and storage are moved to 6 E. Baltimore St., walls will be removed for more space at ELM Shoes.
“At ELM Shoes, we’ve always been ‘with you every step,’” according to the Martins. “And with ELM Active, we’re taking that commitment to the next level.”
The walkway between ELM Shoes and ELM Active will be decorated to showcase the history of ELM that dates back almost 100 years.
“ELM Shoes initially began as a result of one man's innovative attempt to survive a crisis. After losing a contract to bus school children in 1930, J. Ira Eshleman and his sons-in-law, David Lehman and Norman Martin, turned the buses into ‘stores on wheels,’” the ELM Shoes website said.
In February 1941, they acquired a building on Center Square and opened a retail establishment with groceries, hardware, dry goods, clothing and a tailor.
“In 1957 the dream of having a separate ‘shoe department’ was formed by Norman's oldest son, Lester Martin,” the website says. “With a focus on growth for the future, Lester and his sons Lowell and Loren renovated the building in 1983. The expansion allowed them to carry a complete line of footwear.
“As a result of another expansion and renovation in 1997, ELM Shoes now occupies over 6,000 square feet of floor space and warehouses an impressive 18,000 pair of shoes,” according to the website.
ELM Active is growing into a building with an equally historic story. The red brick building was constructed in 1916 by Charles Carl and housed Carl’s Drug Store until 1999. The name can still be seen on the west-facing facade high above Baltimore Street.
Carl’s Drug Store was started by Adam Carl, Charles Carl’s grandfather in 1825. Greencastle’s oldest business and the oldest drug store in United States, it is now located at 145 N. Antrim Way in 1999.
574-232-8487
