Category Archives: Orgill Hardware Show

2016, A new journey begins, blogging, customer service, entrepreneurship, hardware store, Hardware Store Life, historical building, legacy, Life experiences, Life In Wilkes, memories, nuts and bolts, old hardware stores, old school hardware store, Orgill Hardware Show, service oriented hardware store, Shop Local, southern living

2016

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Wilkes County Hardware 2016 front view

It’s trending right now to post memories from 2016. So why not???

Ten years ago our journey as hardware store owners was just beginning! Here’s a quick look back at Wilkes County Hardware from 2016.

Reading the picture captions below for each photo memory from 2016 to learn more about our first full year of hardware store ownership.

At our first hardware show in August of 2015, we ordered new fixtures for the store. Richard began to reset the hardware store in early February of 2016…starting at the back of the hardware store
The Key desk had already been moved to its current location (near the back door entrance) inside the hardware store and out of this back corner (the old location) and a new handrail was installed from materials right inside the hardware store.
Reset of our Fasteners section…via 2016
Benjamin went to his first Orgill hardware show with us in Orlando February 2016.
Y’all might recognize this rocking chair… it came from our house, as a nod to our new venture, bringing a more relaxed atmosphere, offering an opportunity to sit and relax.
In 2016, The hardware store was still a bit of a maze… prior to the reset. The “maze like feel” slowly disappeared after the reset in 2016 and the years that followed.
These old doors were uncovered by layers of pegboard that covered a significant portion of our front entrance area… more light flooded into our store!!!
Wayne’s valuable knowledge of keys, and all products made Richard’s transition easier . He was a mentor from the beginning.
Gerald stayed with Richard the first several months to help get him acquainted with each of the different facets of what WCH was… pool season would be a new learning experience for Richard. We truly appreciate his support, insight, and commitment to help grow our new business. Gerald is the BEST!
Bagged goods arrived at WCH in 2016… another FIRST… and the legacy of the chicken begins.
New Flower planters out front in 2016
Richard had to dive into the 2016 pool season and learn the ropes. Benjamin… well, he just had fun 😎
2016… showcasing our family favorite products on Facebook.
Our first logo hat…we may need to bring this one back!!!
Our first logo… and t-shirt
Vegas! Fall hardware show time in 2016
Our first BIG Apple Festival in 2016
A gift from a dear friend, now part of our wall art
Putting all of our services in one place for customers to see for the first time in 2016!
Christmas 2016… Moravian cookies have become a staple each year since 2016!!!
And.. Santa Keys🎅🎅🎅
Recognized as Small Business of the Year for our work in 2016!!!

Looking forward to 2026… thank you for your support and continued patronage!!

Thank you for shopping local!!! We do have the absolute best customers!!!
blogging, February, finding inspiration, hardware store, Hardware Store Life, memories, New Orleans, Orgill Hardware Show, photography favorites, service oriented hardware store, Shop Local, southern living, Works in Progress

New Orleans

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Artistic expression of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina across from the convention center where the Spring Orgill Hardware Show was hosted.

New Orleans… A culturally rich city filled with fantastic food! What more could you ask for in a host city for a hardware show??? We first experienced New Orleans in August 2015, at our first hardware show, and 10 years later, we have returned again for another visit to this wonderful city.

We have found that getting to show early helps us navigate the day (less crowded) and we can explore the city later in the afternoon .
Early morning at Orgill Hardware Show… the exhibition floor is full of people getting ready to take it all in…
Fun with friends! Eric and Chelsea explored the Orgill Hardware Show with us the first day of the show.
Always lots to see!!! Million square feet of space in 2 days… We go in with a definite plan now at each show, finding those vendors we need to reach out to, make orders, then we can “shop” for new products that our customers will enjoy.
Richard is checking out a new key machine at the show. We ordered a key machine and it will arrive sometime in April.
Our Orgill Representative, Steve Foster is set to retire later this year. He has helped us navigate our first show as newbies, and we were thankful to have his expertise in year 10. We will miss him tremendously.

The 2025 Orgill hardware show marked our third trip to New Orleans. We accomplished a lot on our to do list! Now it was time to explore the city a bit. A few constants remain from each trip… beignets at Cafe DuMonde, Mardi Gras celebrations in February, and rich, vibrant culture exemplified everywhere you go, along with the AMAZING food. Sharing my unique photo journey from our recent travels, enjoy y’all!

Hot beignets, just can’t be beat!
Always a sweet treat with music on the street
Beignets are everywhere!

Mardi Gras celebrations were in full swing in late February. Homes were decorated with colorful Mardi Gras trees, colorful lights, and outdoor fence areas were lined with decorations to mark the celebrations.

Beads and a Bird
Outdoor Fences were adorned with beads , a visual reminder of Mardi Gras in progress
A Colorful Walk

A Somber Reminder along Bourbon Street…

This makeshift memorial on the corner of Bourbon Street was moved just two days after we arrived to a permanent museum location.

Security along the Mardi Gras parade path was noticeably tighter…

Heavy equipment trucks moving into place prior to the arrival of one of the Mardi Gras parades.

Mardi Gras Parade Highlights…

I loved all the colors!!!

We walked to many places during our trip, even though the cold weather and wind was significant… I quickly noticed that city sidewalks were a treasure trove of design… “judging a block by its cover”, literally by the manhole covers and drain covers. Here are just a few captures from New Orleans…

Can’t you just see the history in these old Church Doors???
Blockbuster And Wall Inspired Art

Good food always can be found in New Orleans, some places never disappoint us when we are there in New Orleans and we always make plans to return.

A new wonderful addition to our New Orleans lineup this year! We will go back!
Turtle soup to start…
Blackened fish with crabmeat sauce
Chocolate flourless cake
The line was out the door to wait for lunch!!! Menu boasts Sandwiches and unique salad options… best French fries in town!!! Sorry, no picture, I ate them all!!! 😂
Our order reminder.., just too cute!
Grand Isle… Our favorite place in New Orleans!!!! Never disappoints!!!
Pan roasted chicken with mashed potatoes and mushrooms
Cheesecake for dessert
Wood fired gulf fish with creamy grits

Thanks for the memories!! Hope to see you again New Orleans!

FYI: New product arrivals from our shopping days at the New Orleans Hardware show are beginning to arrive! Stop by and shop today at Wilkes County Hardware.