Nailing Things Down

Six years ago we began our journey into hardware store ownership. It was an exciting time, a plan was emerging from our minds on what we envisioned happening in our new business.

Our official name became Wilkes County Hardware. Many folks still refer to us as Wilkes Hardware and wonder where Harvey is… lol he hasn’t owned the hardware store for many years. Gerald Lankford owned the store for 10 years before selling it to us. Harvey was the owner before Gerald.

Gerald Lankford, the former owner and dear friend

Gerald stayed with Richard for the first year so that he could learn all aspects of the business, including the pools.

Richard became a quick study of how to care and do maintenance on pools

The first year is still pretty much a blur… we decided to add a point of sale computer system instead of a basic cash register so that inventory could be monitored closely, & new fixtures went in. A major highlight of year one was the filming of our hardware store on NC Public TV.

Richard completely set up all these fixtures and began to move merchandise, key desk was also moved closer to back door

In the next few years, we added staff, continued to add new products into our lineup. One neat find inside our walls … when we opened up a space near the front entrance and found two doors that had been covered up for many years with pegboard. The captions that follow along with the pictures will chronicle the rest of our story.

These double doors had been covered in pegboard for many years!!!

Lawn & Garden items were dramatically expanded into the next few years of business ownership

Apple Festival… new hours for us we are open all day during the festival. The store used to close early on Apple Festival Day.

Logo gear was added to our hardware store… it all started with this original design

Added new locally based products into our store… these are best sellers around holiday time

The wood stove is always going strong on cold winter days… and folks love to stop by and warm on snowy days

The largest snowfall we have had since store ownership has been 16inches !!! Richard’s news clip from WXII made it onto the Today show

Need a great grill??? We are sold on Traeger grills

Keegan’s first pieces arrived at Wilkes County Hardware

Amazing new line of bird seed was added that our customers keep coming back for more and more..,

Here’s our first Meyers display… customers come from all over in order to purchase from our vast selection

Straight shot from back to front door… it took several years to get there but we are getting there as we still work on organizing

A list of our hometown hardware store services

This small display is no longer found at our front door… the entire front is open now and wow!!! What a difference it makes!!!

Our hours were updated and changed to close each day at 5:30, so our customers could swing by and shop as they are on way home & still pick up essentials. We still currently close at 2pm on Saturday

Last day of school… retirement as a teacher begins and a new role as a full time hardware store owner begins…

The same view of the store captured in a series of two pictures

Harry’s Hot Dogs Event was an amazing success

Wayne is truly a key master… folks still come into the store just to have keys made by him

Keegan’s work has progressed into bigger and fabulous designs

Made in McGrady is an multi-talented husband & wife team, we keep their pieces in our store.

A favorite local WCH hat… deeply rooted into our store history

COVID created an interesting time for small businesses to operate under. We are appreciative of your support

Teamwork with Cooks, the #wilcostrong initiative raised money for our community-Samaritan Kitchen

The most devastating day in our ownership so far…

Customer rewards have been a huge success and the checkout process is easy & safe

A unique variety of locally sourced products

We continue to add to our logo gear… short sleeve, long sleeve, and sweatshirts

BBQ sauce that is absolutely delicious!!!

In 2021, Wilkes County Hardware launched a booth inside Carolina Treasures Antique Mall

We sell local pottery, each piece is handmade & unique

Our drop off flag box is consistently full now that our customers realize what it is for.

We are so excited to begin another year of service in our community. Thank you for shopping with us at your favorite hometown hardware store, Wilkes County Hardware.

Our WHY…

5 years ago we just started… Richard and I launched ourselves into hardware store ownership.

This new venture into business ownership was uncertain, scary, and exciting all wrapped up into the same 5 gallon bucket of emotions.

Richard was excited about beginning a new career path. One of the nice perks of this new business adventure, he would be home every night… ultimately more family time 😊.

The last 5 years has been a roller coaster of change. I’m so glad y’all have been a great big part of our journey. Thank you for your support!!!

I’ve been trying to reflect back on our WHY? In other words, WHY DO WE DO WHAT WE DO at Wilkes County Hardware???

The answer is simply YOU!!! Our customers are our driving force. We are so blessed to have formed many new friendships and made connections with our customers to help meet their needs. We always look forward to your visits into Wilkes County Hardware. Y’all have become our hardware family 💕.

The WCH shopping experience is unique in comparison to other hardware stores. We do our best to give one-on-one service to our customers so y’all can get what is needed in a timely fashion. We offer tips or advice on how to use products, or we can direct customers to another local business if the item is not available in our store, giving a solution to our customers.

Thank you for being our WHY this Wednesday 😉and everyday.

Anniversary

We have been married now for more than 20 plus years… our journey has taken us down various paths along the way. A path of change we continue to make together 😊.

Who would have thought that we would be owners of a vintage, & historic hardware store! Those who knew us as young folks knew my husband’s path was destined to take him towards becoming a PGA golf professional. But it was not the path he desired in the long run.

Fast forward into 2018, we are happy being business owners navigating the process of learning the hardware business. It takes both of us working together as a team to make it happen! Owning a business is hard work. And I will be honest, it takes the whole of our family in order to keep it going. We get to celebrate together our successes, and reflect on our failures.

Our “other ” Anniversary will be approaching in September. This is the month we officially purchased WCH. Many things have changed within the walls of Wilkes County Hardware. We have added lots of new merchandise, fixtures, staff, etc… the list could continue on…. but our goal remains to be consistently helpful to our customers as they shop with us after all, we are an”old school hardware store”.

Happy Anniversary, sweetheart!