Category:Gehringer-Harlacher Company, Allentown, Pennsylvania

The Gehringer & Harlacher Company opened in September 1919 at 17 South Seventh Street in Allentown. It was founded by Lloyd C Harlacher and George J. Gehringer. It originated as the Hartley Company, owned by Harry K. Hartley, who was brought into the business as Vice President. It originally began as an auto parts company, later it became an auto accessories firm.

In May, 1922 the company relocated to 123 North Seventh Street to a larger facility. After World War II, in October 1946, it again moved to the Southeast Corner of 7th and Liberty Streets, (445-447 North 7th Street) into an even larger facility. The business served primarily wholesale customers for decades, although it also operated a retail showroom. The business was sold in July, 1971 and the principals retired in 1973. The store in Allentown was subsequently closed in January 1973. Lloyd Harlacher passed in October 1974, George Gehringer in August 1975.

The building was then used by Tri-State Door & Hardware of Philadelphia as a building supply store. The parking spaces along Liberty Street were leased to Yoccos for customer parking. In November 1979, the business was renamed as Doors Unlimited which operated in the building until November 1999. The parking lot spaces then were sold to Yoccos when the bushiness closed. The building has since gone on to other uses, including being again divided to seperate buildings 445 and 447 North Seventh.