Over the last 5 years we have been blessed to acquire some pretty amazing product offerings for our customers. Since December is gift giving season, I thought it might be a good time to share a few of our favorites with yโall this December.
Donโt forget to read the other posts in the series…
Blog post 2 ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
Made in McGrady had posted another beautiful piece on their social media page. I had been captured by their talent from earlier posts I had viewed. The latest post was showcasing a wood slice ornament on social media. I loved the rustic look of the ornament. I sent a direct message to them inquiring if they could make something similar for us at Wilkes County Hardware. They replied quickly and they were able to design & deliver exactly what I had in mind.
Here is the original ornament that created our collaboration
These two folks were great to work with us, and come to find out, they were regular customers inside our hardware store. Double win!!!!
We sold the Wilkes County Hardware wood slice ornaments well in 2018. After that Christmas season, we asked Eric & Chelsea to continue to bring us beautiful pieces as they made them. What a fantastic husband & wife duo!!!
You can find Made in McGrady handmade items at Wilkes County Hardware. We now have cutting boards, handmade rolling pins, seasonal signs, magnets, candle sticks..,etc.
This piece has found a beautiful spot in our home as well. The message is simple but lovely ๐
We are blessed to know such talented people as business owners & friends. Come shop local with us and Made in McGrady, for those unique one of kind, & custom made gifts.
Made in McGrady designed this custom piece for us as well ๐
Over the last 5 years we have been blessed to acquire some pretty amazing product offerings for our customers. Since December is gift giving season, I thought it might be a good time to share a few of our favorites with yโall this December.
Moravian cookies were always a traditional part of celebrating Christmas morning with the Searcy family. We would open gifts on Christmas morning, usually around mid-morning and Martha, Richardโs mother, would have Christmas snacks prepared for us to munch on as we opened gifts and checked our Christmas stockings.
Typical Christmas Traditional food fare- Moravian cookies, fudge, sausage balls, date balls , fruit cake cookies, & coffee.
So when the opportunity presented itself to have Mrs. Hanes Moravian cookies at our store a few years ago, we definitely wanted to add this wonderful product to our customer offerings. We knew that many people traveled to Winston Salem in order to have these special cookies just for Christmas gatherings, like the Searcy family. Now the trip is much easier, just to town to visit with us at Wilkes County Hardware.
Shop local with us and make Mrs. Hanes cookies a new Christmas tradition for you and your family this season.
Working with your spouse… could you do it everyday??? ๐๐
๏ปฟ5 years ago we just started… Richard and I launched ourselves into hardware store ownership.
I continued to work full time as a teacher until 2019. Then the transition of working together 24-7 began.
๏ปฟAt times, this new venture into business ownership was uncertain, scary, and exciting all wrapped up into the same 5 gallon bucket of emotions.
We both have different and unique roles in what we do at Wilkes County Hardware. And… we are continuing to develop our best skills and talents that we can offer to YOU. We share responsibilities, & work through the difficult decisions together. Together… yes, we do work closely together, and we have survived & thrived.
Our goals are shared & our commitment is strong to serve our local community. Iโm so glad yโall have been a great big part of our journey. If you are a new follower, Welcome!!!!
๏ปฟ As I look back, reflecting upon our WHY… In other words, WHY DO WE DO WHAT WE DO at Wilkes County Hardware???
๏ปฟThe 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. Iโm also blessed to work with my spouse each and every day.
We always look forward to your visits into Wilkes County Hardware. Yโall have become our hardware family ๐and welcome new folks regularly into our midst.
๏ปฟThe 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 yโall can get what is needed in a timely fashion.
WCH is not the big box… just wander around to see the difference. Our historic exterior/interior will let you know immediately that you are stepping into a different shopping experience.
Thank you for being our WHY each and everyday. We are so glad to be there to help you with your hardware store needs. I bet you will find both us there… working together to serve our local community.
What a powerful word!!!! Do you consider yourself to be strong??? Where does โstrength โ come from??? Is it internal??? External???
Strength can be defined as being physically strong or the capacity to withstand a great force or pressure.
Gandhi wisdom states that strength does not come out of the physical strength but from indomitable will.
Life in 2020 has tested the powers of strength for many people. Hardships of health, natural disasters, financial, and so many other areas have impacted folks in 2020.
My personal life chapter in 2020 brought unique experiences with loss. In the first 10 months of 2020, I have lost 3 family members, the most notable for me was the loss of my Granny. The family losses were compounded with the loss of 2 sweet pups- GiGi & Elvis. ๐ข๐ข๐ข๐ข
Granny loved to be outside, strawberry picking was always a special time spent together
Staffing changes has created a void in our lives as well. The loss of long time employees has brought distinctive sadness into our midst. Those personal losses have been extremely difficult to deal with adding in the flooding events from August/early September that made life more interesting.
Then add in financial challenges/supply chain issues of doing business during COVID… Honestly, the list could go on and on…
Store flooded after a significant downpour… the back parking lot drains were unable to direct water correctly and our neighbors beside us flooded. As a result, our store took on water as well from their flooding event๐ข
Reflecting back on this chapter thus far in 2020, Iโm not sure quite how I survived so far. Obstacles have been overcome, & new ones continue to emerge daily… so how do we keep going???
What gives you strength in hard times??? Religion, quiet reflection- reading, nature walks, staying connected to friends & family. Pets??? Laughter??? Hopes & dreams of better days??? Is it a combination of all of these???
Beautiful weather to get outside to keep body strong and always good for my soul
Finding Strength in 2020 has been hard but Iโm not giving up. My will is still strong. I draw strength from all of the areas I listed above… prayer, reflection, walks in nature, family support, laughter with friends, music, & dreams. So I guess you could say that I am drawing strength from many different areas.
Another area of strength for me has to be our customers & followers on social media platforms. You have given me strength to push on. Thank you for your kind words on our posts!!! Feedback, comments, likes, shares and those continued interactions on our Facebook & IG pages are much appreciated. The algorithms are powerful today and the more interaction we have on these platforms, the more present we can be on your personal feed to showcase new products, store updates, sales etc.
AND… When you arrive as a customer in our hardware store with familiar smiles๐, it brightens our day!!!! We love to see yโall shopping local. We need to keep the heart of the #wilcostrong movement going. We appreciate your continued support of local businesses in our community. The long term impact of shopping local will definitely be a stronger local economy.
In closing, finding strength& overcoming lifeโs obstacles in 2020 has been a ongoing challenge. Thank you for giving us strength to keep moving forward. Iโll be dreaming of better days ahead as I know many of yโall are too. So yโall Dream On!!!! ๐
It is October!!! Can y’all believe it??? Has anybody started working on a Fall Bucket List yet??? ๐๐๐๐
No worries if you haven’t done that yet. We have started one for you today๐. Happy October yโall ! ๐๐
These are adorable!!! Made in McGrady has a few Fall inspirational signs left in our store!!! Make us a stop on your crafting shopping list for this fall We have warm logo gear for those cooler fall mornings… selling fast!!! Locally made face masks.., find your favorite fall football team or fall colors Love these colors yโall!!! Locally sourced honey Come shop for fall lawn & garden essentials It is almost time to fire this classic stove up!!! Are yโall ready??? Fall is a perfect time for fire pits and sโmores
Living the "hardwarelife", join us in our journey of hardware store ownership
The Hardware Life - A wife's journey into the hardware business 