Anyone who knows anything about Wesleyville and its history knows all about Hill's Market. Hill's was a cherished institution in the community for 71 years. That's why I’m joining some townspeople that are gathering inside the former Hill’s Market building for a surprise party to honor a beloved member of the Hill family.

Claire Hill is being surprised for her 100th birthday. This is special! The crowd is welcoming her before she can even enter the building. This building is now a flower shop called Floral Expressions by Darlene. However, from 1943 to 2014, it was the home of Hill's Market. Darlene Alfieri planned this celebration. She is the owner of the floral shop. She wants to honor Claire's 100th birthday and the entire Hill family.

"They were just simply good humans, decent people that cared about everybody around them,” says Darlene.

Claire's father in law, Jack Hill, founded the store in 1943. Her husband Jack took over the store in 1968. Their son Don owned it beginning in 1984 until it closed in 2014. It was THE place in Wesleyville where people would buy meat and other products. If you couldn't pay, that's okay. Just settle your account at the end of the month. Hey, people didn't even have to buy anything to appreciate the store. Another son, Craig, remembers folks would come in to just to shoot the breeze.

"You could catch up on hunting stories, fishing stories, people working on their houses and stuff. It was just a real fun place to come and enjoy the people who would stop in,” says Craig.

Darlene admired the history of the store so much that she hung the famous Hill's Market sign inside the floral shop. She kept the market's shelves and the freezer. And thanks to Darlene, a new bench is now in front of the building. It will be a lasting tribute to Hill's Market, the Hill family, and to Claire's 100th birthday.

"She really deserves this honor for just the sacrifices to keep the store running,” says Don about his mother.

"There were so many people in the past that I wish could be here and you could honor them too,” says Claire. “The people who live here are great."

Darlene says people still come into the building and ask if she sells Hill's famous ham loaf. They miss that ham loaf. Darlene is hoping the family someday will give her the recipe.