Star Beacon Products

Originating from a Depression-era medicine and cosmetics company, Star Beacon was founded by Pat Maloney and David D. Schirtzinger in 1936 as a wholesale distributor. The company was first located on Long Street in downtown Columbus. Star Beacon moved in 1954 to a building built specifically for the company at its current 1104 Goodale location. The store offers an eclectic array of low-cost supplies for schools, arts and crafts, and parties, as well as the occasional novelty holdover from its past. Family descendents carry on the Star Beacon mantle. Frank Schirtzinger, the great grandson of founder David D. Schirtzinger, worked at the store for many years and took over in 2016 as President, a position both his father (Philip Schirtzinger, 1986 to 2016) and grandfather (David D. Schirtzinger, 1936 to 1986) held. Brian Maloney serves as the day-to-day Operations Manager. 

For more information about Star Beacon see:  https://ghmchs.org/PDFs/VIEWPOINTSOct17.pdf

1953 Architectural drawing of Star Beacon building on Goodale Boulevard. Notice the period round tail lights on the car at the right. The store today looks much the same! The flat rooftop was a favorite place to watch 4th of July fireworks in downtown Columbus in the 1980s and 90s.