L. N. Coffman Company, the third oldest business in the City of Salem, began in 1895 in the Dilworth building at the corner of Fourth and Jackson Streets. It originally purchased produce and poultry, discontinued the produce business in 1914, and by 1922 operated as a wholesale business only. During its existence it moved only once, down the street to the corner of Fourth and Washington Street, its present location in the old "Square Store" building. Thomas P. Upshaw, W. F. Hinch, and Thomas Vaughn built that building for Hugh Thomas, who rented it to Salem Mercantile Company. It was later sold to W. J. Martin, who along with T. P. Dent established a furniture, hardware, and tinsmith shop there, and when Martin retired he sold the building to L. N. Coffman.