1970s photo of Gillett Pastry Shop, courtesy of Bluffton Public Library digital archive

By Paula Pyzik Scott

Have a favorite restaurant or bakery from days gone by? A pleasure that you can still taste in your imagination? For many in Bluffton, Gillett's Pastry Shop is that place. It was located at 111 N. Main St, where Fortman Insurance is currently located.

The shop is one of three former Bluffton businesses that will be celebrated on Bluffton History Day, August 8. Dan Gillett will host a Q&A and provide a display of memorabilia with free sausage rolls at 11:00 a.m. in the alley next to Fortman's. Donations will be welcome.

Gillett's most famous fan, Phyllis Diller, a groundbreaking comedian and actress, expressed her appreciation for a cake in 1970 in the attached letter:

April 29, 1970

Dear 'Best Bakers of Bluffton:'

Thank you so very much for the magnificent cake you delivered to me at the doctor's house. I can't tell you how sorry I was not to be able to get out of bed to greet you then. However, I loved the cake. It was absolutely beautiful and since it was so big, many more people enjoyed it besides myself.

Many thanks again.

Truly, Phyllis Diller

Diller was a widely known celebrity based on her work in standup, film and television from 1950s-1980s. In Bluffton, she was also known as a member of the Diller family, who married Sherwood Diller in 1939. She traveled to Bluffton for the labor and delivery of three of her children under the care of Dr. Boyd Travis. 

See Before she became a comedian, Phyllis Diller was on staff at Bluffton Presbyterian for more about Diller's days in Bluffton.

MORE ON HISTORY DAY

The Bluffton Ohio Historical Society will also display the cell that housed bank robber and gangster John Dillinger in the Allen County Jail in 1933. 

10 a.m. - Q&A and display of memorabilia from Fett Hardware, by Ed Fett and family at Bluffton Senior Center, 132 N. Main St.

12 p.m.- Q&A session with Hankish family members and display of shop memorabilia in the alley next to Bluffton Presbyterian church. The Hankish family will provide ice cream and sweet treats from their family's recipe book, free of charge. 

The Bluffton Ohio Historical Society has begun a $1.3M capital campaign to create a Bluffton History Museum on Main St. For more information, visit www.BlufftonForever.com.

The society meets at 7:00 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month at the 1899 Depot at 405 N. Spring St., Buckeye Park.