Looking back at where we started in 2015 to now present day in August 2024 as we roll into year number NINE in the hardware business, I’m just shocked and amazed at the amount of change we have been able to accomplish over time. When you are there everyday, working amongst all this, it’s harder to see the progress sometimes. As the old saying goes, “can’t see the forest, for the trees”.
A small stack of old pictures were gifted to us by our friend, Steve Foster, who is our Orgill Hardware representative. Orgill, is our main hardware supplier. When we purchased the store in 2015, a new layout was in order. Initially, Steve took some photos to share with the Orgill layout team who helped us to reconfigure the best use of the available space. Did we follow the design they planned out??? Well, no. We modified a few things to suit what we wanted and needed our business to be after reviewing the blueprints with them. But those pictures are a good reminder of what the hardware store was, A Blast From the Past.
The original blueprint developed for us after we purchased Wilkes Hardware.
Those photo memories stirred a bit of excitement in me to create a pictorial version of that journey. Here’s an insider blog post reflecting upon some of the changes that have been made over time since our beginnings in 2015. The series of photos that follows in this blog will be featuring the 2015 photo then 2024 pictures will follow highlighting certain aspects of the hardware store.
2015 outside view 2025 outside view, exterior holding area for bagged goods which was not available in store prior to 2015. 2015 front door view… one thing I noticed was the lack of light 💡 interior of the hardware store2024… LED lights installed, and artist inspired designs on the front doors. Seasonal Flowers blooming at the front doors.
Initially, we were encouraged to paint the interior ceiling white. I pushed back hard. I wanted to keep it as “vintage, old hardware store” as I could. The ceiling and posts are still intact with original wood.
Summer of 2015: view around wood stove Summer of 2024: New work areas for staff has been created over time and in 2024 a new point of sale was added. We moved from the era of simply using a cash register to a full scale point of sale system in the first few years of business. 2015: Sink area used by employees but surrounded by merchandise2024: Now mostly a true work area for our staff, same area in view but this area is less customer friendly due to the proximity to the key desk work area and pool water testing computer work area. I noticed the amount of light is much more visible in this recent photo!2015: Back door entrance, note that the key 🔑 desk is not here!!!2024: Back door entrance. Key desk area present AND more light! 2015: Work area at back door entrance 2024: Key Desk area at back door entrance Behind the scenes of the key area Rekey area Pool computer, chip keys and more! 2015: Front Entrance View, it was a bit of a maze to find what you needed 2024: Front entrance view, we have tried to created a more open flow for customers to walk through2024: Front Door View2015: Key Desk was tucked away in the back of store… near the stairs leading to the second level2024: This area is currently being updated… it’s a work area for chain cutting, kerosene heater repair, stove pipe replacement parts, etc 2015: The back front windows of the hardware store were covered with pegboard, which was used to display long handle tools. 2017: These doors were uncovered and the pegboard removed! Wayne worked on the old lock mechanism so the doors were moving and mobile to unlock. Look at that beautiful door handle!!! 2024: Doors are open on the warm, summer days to add extra air flow into the hardware store 2024: Same view as the 2015 picture 2024: Lawn and Garden has been moved up to the front of the store 2015: Lock shop entrance door opened 2020: Covid AND the flooding of our hardware store with the water originating from the lock shop created the need to close the connecting door permanently. Due to the nature of the lock shop business, they are often gone on call. The security of the lock shop is more secure with the hardware store door closed.2020: Water entered from the back door of the lock shop, pushing the doors open. Water entered into our building as a result from the massive amount of water coming into flooded lock shop. The water was knee deep inside the lock shop! 2020: Water, water everywhere!!! It took several hours, lots of friends helping us to push the water out, and days of drying out. We were extremely lucky that the water level never reached higher than it did! 2024: Threaded rod, wooden dowels are right at home in front of the old lock shop door. Believe it or not, we still have folks who still try to go through this door to get to the lock shop. They are shocked to find it closed when they come in and find that they must use the main front entrance. 2015: View from back of store
Richard told me the other day the staff used to keep and carry a small flashlight (in pocket) with them as they worked inside the hardware store when he first started in the summer of 2015 due to the lack of light coming into the space. I had no idea that was how they were working. Adding light was a key factor initially as we began to analyze what should be done. Slowly, the light has been expanding and more work is yet to come!
These pictures are a treasure to me. Steve thank you! One of my biggest regrets is not taking enough pictures to photograph our beginnings accurately as we have grown and evolved.
2024: This area is currently being reset now!
Thanks for being part of our hardware journey. Stay tuned in for more updates! We appreciate your continued support.
May is a prime gardening month. May flowers are in bloom, the vibrant colors are abundant. For me, the month of May means spending time in the garden preparing for the beautiful blooms of summer and waiting for the growth of each young tender plant.
Black-eyed Susan vine
I must confess and fully admit that my garden is always a work in progress… flowers coupled with growing weeds amongst them. This time of the year, the challenge is to keep up with the pace of weed growth, I usually fail miserably. But, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”. The memories and the sweat equity of what has been accomplished so far in the garden.
Dill is springing up everywhere in one of my favorite flower beds and I’m absolutely loving it!
My style of gardening is a rustic cottage charm. The cottage garden style is less structured and not as formalized. The plantings flow seamlessly together. This style allows for a diverse mix of plants that I love. Viewing from a distance, the pattern of my gardening style is probably not evident to anyone but me.
The ultimate story behind the gardener and garden itself is revealed walking amongst each flower variety, enjoying the blooms, connecting each flower with its own unique story and legacy.
This pot came from my Mother in law’s home. It is a cherished planter that I look forward to growing beautiful plants inside each year
The garden story is each flower itself. I have a garden of true memories passed down from generation to generation. My personal connections to my garden flowers and what I have planted is deeply rooted and linked to my personal life experiences and memories of those who I love. So each May I work to bring the garden story back to life, creating a garden full of beautiful memories and vibrant blooms. Nothing could be better!
All this being said, I do have a few plant friends that I love to plant each year. The striking colors, the scents, the aesthetics, and durability(long lasting nature) of the plant definitely impacts my decisions to continue to place these into my garden. But, many of the reasons why I pick the same type of flowers each year is due to my associated memories with these flowers… past celebrations, or memories of strolling through family gardens so many years ago.
Red Geraniums are a must have in my garden every year, they bring wonderful memories of my two Great Aunts who always had them in their front flower boxes each year.
So here’s to celebrating this month with a few beautiful blooms. Enjoy the bounty of the blooms that are amongst you at the close of May 2024.
These perennials were transplanted many years ago from my granny’s flower garden. She often shared her beautiful garden flowers with everyone who loved flowers as much as she did.Thyme is growing and beginning to flowerThis planter is an oldie Goldie… passed down to me from my mom several years ago. My strawberries are happily growing New handbuilding project completed, a bright red poppy flower added into one of my flower potsYarrow, gifted seed packet from a dear friend
Gardening Challenges this month:
1. Critters crawlers… snakes and lizards 😳 stories and more!!! Read more about them in the latest blog post, find the link below.
Critter RiddlePest control issues are tough on plants, be proactive and stop by Wilkes County Hardware for best options for your garden
2. Rapid weed growth- May showers have brought an abundance of weeds! Yikes! Time to get out there and get some weeds pulled and sprayed!
Several types of weed control options are available at WCH
3. Excessive Rainfall- My peonies and roses took a beating this month with all the rainfall. It was time to deadhead rose bushes after the rainfall, and I have cut back my peonies after they finished flowering.
Foggy May Morning
4. Deer and rabbits oh my! – I have been extremely lucky this spring and little activity has been noted around my garden, but the nibbles have begun by the end of May😬! Time to grab the granular and the spray!
Options for deer control are available at WCH
Gardening Successes:
1. New garden plants finds!
Shrimp Bush
2. Garden totem pole in progress
These are loosely stacked for now waiting on other pieces to be finished and finalized before the pole is placed into the garden. I hope to finish my first project soon.
3. Planting on the “good garden days”
Yes, I have read up on my almanac for the BEST days in May… find the link below for May Planting BEST Days. June best days are coming out soon on the blog!
Updates to my window to the world (view outside my kitchen window) are constantly changing during the flowering season.Hanging baskets on the back porch are beginning to fill in with color Petunias have been constantly showing off in May
5. Tomatoes are coming soon!
I hope your month of May gardening has brought you joy, and great memories. No matter what state your garden finds itself in, Just get growing!
When people walk into our hardware store, they often say y’all have just a little bit of everything here don’t you!!! As we have entered into year number 8 of business, we have slowly expanded and refined our offerings to our customers. Here’s a sampling of our product offerings via ABC’s of Wilkes County Hardware.
Top down view overlooking the back corner of Wilkes County Hardware
Let’s begin by diving into the Amazing finds from All Around the Hardware Store! Sometimes our building might be considered an “Antique” due to its advanced age…1905 is A long time AGO!
A- Almanac, acetone, axe, American Flags, animal repellents
Deer repellent, snake and more!
B- bird feeder & seed, BBQ sauce, brooms, bi-fold door hardware, bungee cords, batteries, black iron fittings and pipe cut to size, bolts
C- Customers! We can’t do this without you!!!Thank you for shopping with local with us! It’s soooo easy to forget about local businesses when you’re busy running errands or just headed to that “box store” for something on your to do list. Keep the CASH in our community!
Thanks for shopping local and keeping the CASH in our community!
Sometimes all you need it just one bolt or fastener… that’s ok with us, no need to buy a whole box. This area of our store is often full of customers all day long.
G- Gardening tools, garden seeds, grass seed, gloves, glues, grilling accessories, Greased Lightning, gas cans, galvanized fittings and pipe cut to size, window glass cut to size
Lawn and Garden area has been moved towards the front of the hardware store. We are excited to offer new products in this busy area for our customers.
H- hammers, hooks, hinges, hand tools, hose barb, Howard wood cleaning products, honey(it’s local y’all!)
Only local honey sold at Wilkes County Hardware!!
I-I didn’t know you had this! I should have come here first… we have heard this a few times over the last 8 years when folks find what they need and more as they shop.
I- Iron Out, ice melt
J- Juxtaposition of old school hardware store with excellent customer service found in 2023 versus “the box store experience”in 2023, no self service checkout here.
J-Japanese beetle traps, joint compound
K-keys duplicated with ease, knives, kerosene heaters & replacement wicks
Wayne has been a fixture inside Wilkes County Hardware for over 20 years. He just celebrated his 85th birthday!!! I bet Wayne has made a key or two for you.
L- Ladder wall, this wall showcases some of our amazing local artisans work.
Our local artisans are prominently featured along the back ladder wall.
M- Mural.. have y’all noticed the new mural on the front side of the building? Why the chicken??? Our building was a poultry processing plant in its early years.
N-nails … we don’t sell these by the pound anymore but we have small size packs available for purchase as well as larger sizes, National Hardware what an amazing selection of all things related to home hardware and more!
O- Order it for me please! Yes, we special order items for our customers each and every week
O- O-rings of all shapes and sizes!
P- Pool supplies, paper towels, PVC fittings, PB Blaster, Pex fittings, plungers, plumbing supplies galore! PVC pipe, padlocks, potting soils, polyurethane and and plethora of so much more!
Our plumbing section has been recently updated
Q- Quite a step back into time.. our building dates back to 1905, they don’t build them like this anymore. You can quickly find what you need and save TIME by not driving to a box store fighting the traffic or the crowd… and if you need our help we are here to answer any questions you may have about your project.
Q- Quick knife/scissors sharpening done in a matter of a few minutes, Quartz piston clock… locally made
R- Repairs made to lamps, kerosene heaters, re-screening windows, and tool handle replacement
Fall and winter season is a busy time for Kerosene heater repairs
R- Ready Seal, rodent control products, Rid-X , rope cut to size or just buy it by the package.
Rocking chair… we brought this chair from our house once we bought the hardware store. I rocked my son as a baby in this rocking chair. It was a sweet reminder of home. Harry loved this chair as well.
S-Staff… we are blessed with an amazing team!
Richard & Coby … these two can fix just about anything! Wayne … the key master! Tim … expert in glass Lisa .. we can’t live without her! She is a gemAngie… I’m not sure what to say 😂😂😂Lastly, Carter Call … I don’t seem to have a good photo of him but he has been a star pool guy all summer long! Look for him at the hardware store in the afternoons and Saturdays to come!
S-snow shovels and sleds, locally made soaps, suet, screws ( sheet metal, lag, stainless, self tapping, wood, deck), spray paint, Shark Bite, sandpaper, stove pipe, screwdrivers and much more!
T- Take a few minutes to wander from the front of the store to the back of the store.. you never know what you might find!
We keep a variety of pellets in stock for our established Traeger customers.
U- U-bolts and unique gifts from locally sourced artisans
V- Don’t be vexed by our selection of furnace filters, we have so many different sizes in stock!
Furnace filters of all sizes!
V- Vulcan 55 gallon drum liners for your trash can
W- Wood stove… warm by the fire on those cold days
It won’t be long until this stove will be back in action again!
W- wheelbarrow, WD-40, window glazing, water hoses, locally made wooden bowls and boards, weed eater trimmer line, wing nuts, wrench
X- Xacto blades, Xtreme contractor trash bags
Y-y’all are always welcome
Our doors are normally open for most of the warmer months, and conversations are usually flowing most of the day… near the old wood stove.
Y- Yellow Quell- did you know that we sell pool supplies and test pool water???
Pool season runs from May to September for most of our pool customers. Thanks for shopping locally with us!
Z- Zep products, Zip ties(cable ties) , Zero-G lightweight hose
The best water hose for watering plants
That’s just a glimpse of some of the familiar hardware products that we have inside Wilkes County Hardware. Richard and I are proud to continue into year 8 with new products to be added into the hardware store lineup as the next year progresses. Thank you for your business and continued support.
Ever been on a long road trip, cruising down the interstate and suddenly, traffic comes to a screeching halt?
Road construction is a possibility to your delay. When you see the orange traffic cones, we all know what’s ahead. The traffic that road construction creates, can be challenging. It can lengthen your commute time, and forces you to drive at slower speed. A road work zone that is “under construction “ often diverts traffic in a new direction as the crew safely works in another area.
In a structural/ building development scenario, “under construction”, one would expect to see a structural project that is incomplete… with the ultimate goal, closing the project with full completion, a finished building.
Which brings me to ask you today… Do you currently have anything “under construction”? Visually, the bright orange cones might not be around you, but you might be mentally wearing the bright yellow “hard hat” working as the chief foreman in the construction zone, working on your “under construction goals”.
I recently read that keeping a journal of lists can help with mapping out your goals and thoughts…. These little memo books are a great selling item inside our hardware store.
In early 2023, I didn’t have a vision in what I wanted to accomplish in the coming year. Don’t get me wrong, we all have long term and short term goals. Things seemed…muddled, and a clear vision wasn’t coming easily. Sometimes I think we are in a transitional phase before we launch into a new set of goals. That was the case with me earlier this year.
Often with time, a bit of clarity emerges. The results, a few new WIP’s (works in progress) and all things “under construction” are now being realized. Yes, plans divert and change, just like road construction.
I actually have projects that are “under construction”. Slowly, I’m making small, and defined progress on specific goals I’ve set for myself in 2023. Clipboard in hand, hard hat, and construction checklist ✅. Revealed from my mental clipboard …here’s the short list.
1. Writing and Blogging – In 2023, my blog has a new format (look) that visitors may have noticed. I’m incorporating more bold text words and information so a reader can grab the overall message from the blog post from a visual pre-read. I’m trying to devote more time to write more each week on upcoming blog posts, and also granting myself time away from writing or blogging when I feel uninspired.
2. Photography– This is a brand new goal for me in 2023! I have NEVER physically printed anything from my camera roll. Yes, me, the one with 15,000 plus pictures on her camera roll and I have NEVER printed anything. Until recently… So I’m beginning to focus on my personal photography projects and enjoying the process of making/creating my own art (photography) for my own enjoyment.
3. Weight Loss – ugh! yes, I’m beginning to lose weight . It is hard y’all! 25 pounds lost and now in maintenance mode! I have become much more aware of what I’m eating, practicing portion control, meal planning for lunch, which was problematic for us. Slow, steady progress is what is keeping me motivated .
Veggies are a great way to balance out your hunger!
4. Targeted intentional movement- as Dory said “Just keep swimming “ in Finding Nemo. I have been an active, daily walker for the last several years but I have never intentionally tried to have a daily step goal (7,000 minimum) and to be very cognizant of my movement … not to sit for too long, get up during commercials while watching tv, stand while working instead of sitting and to just keep moving! I don’t meet my goal every single day but I’m much more aware about how many steps I’m making… I’m pumped if I reach over 10,000 plus!
5. Developing my creative side, in a new way… Hand building pottery has been a new challenge… my work is not perfect, but an enjoyable way to spend time learning new things.
My little pumpkin… creating new memories with friends . Thankful for a very patient instructor and friend, Kim Reid!
6. Lastly, Work Goals… We have begun to Re-merchandise key store areas and more! First, Richard and I started with a total change up of our lawn and garden areas, then next to the hardware area.. What could be next???
This year so far, we have refreshed Lawn and Garden area, paints, plumbing, and a few more areas!
I bet we would all agree that living through construction is never easy. Those of us that have lived through a construction project can attest that an ongoing “under construction project” requires planning, perseverance and patience. And we all know that sitting in road construction traffic can test your patience. That being said, projects “under construction” can be taxing …mentally and physically. Change IS and can be hard. Anyone who has ever tried to lose weight or make a lifestyle change can attest that it is not easy but it can be accomplished.
Progress can often be slow and sometimes, even difficult to visualize. Let’s look at a construction analogy .. the first few phases of construction are not often seen… ie.. planning, procurement of materials, and even site preparation… but as you get into the last phases of a construction project, progress becomes more visible.
Morning sunrises can set the tone for the day!
Once the foundation emerges, the core structure is built. With a well built structure and foundation, the longevity of the building is magnified… the ultimate goal, a long lasting structure which can stand the test of time. You can actually begin to visualize success.
Now, I’m not assuming that my WIP’s projects are going to go on without a hitch… like as smoothly as spreading peanut butter on a piece of hot bread that just popped out of the toaster… which results in a smooth, creamy, melting, and warm peanut butter toast, but boy it’s a great way to begin your day. Just keep moving forward.
Thanks for joining me in my hardwarelifewife blog!
My husband and I bought an old fashioned, vintage, and historic hardware store within the downtown area of North Wilkesboro, NC in late summer of 2015.
Wow! What an experience it has been for us. I decided to share my stories about our adventures in what I like to call thehardwarelife. This has been a journey that hasn’t always been easy but thankful we are getting the opportunity to do this together. I hope that y’all enjoy our stories.
Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton
Living the "hardwarelife", join us in our journey of hardware store ownership
The Hardware Life - A wife's journey into the hardware business 