Main St. was the main artery connecting Phoenixville to West Chester. This expansion came about during the Civil War. These buildings were constructed prior to the war and reflected the expanded commercial needs of the growing community. After the war there was a succession of various businesses at this location.
One of the stores located here was the Swastika Company, a mail-order dry goods company established in 1908. Their operation was similar to that of Sears & Roebuck and Montgomery Ward. Mostly, it was a catalog company rather than a retail store. Before being taken as their symbol by the Nazis, the swastika was an ancient symbol for good luck!