The Hardware Man - When Hardware Stores Shine the Brightest
- Editor
- Feb 2
- 2 min read
Howdy Folks,
Fox News reported Clintonville received 22” of snow during Winter Storm Fern, and not to be outdone, New Bethlehem used its special measuring stick to come in at 23”. Either way, this was a very big snow that put us out of our comfort zone.
During periods of emergencies or disasters are when your local hardware store shines brightest. I know many, if not most the stores in the publishing area and can attest to their commitment, ensuring accessibility of products for their communities. Whether it is shovels and salt or plumbing and emergency heating, hardware stores are stocked with the materials to best supply their neighbors.
I just returned from our winter buying market that was held in Nashville, TN. It is always enjoyable to discuss business, product mixes, and strategy with other independent hardware stores to see what is successful in their business. A hardware store in upstate New York mentioned the feet of snow they regularly get, while a store in Georgia was concerned about ice and power outages. Talking shop is more than idle banter, but a glimpse of another store’s business mindset, a look at trends in their market, and a ray of hope that experience brings.
So what do storms, hardware stores, and talking shop have in common? Stress. Stress happens to us all, but how we handle it will either kill us or make us stronger. As I’ve thought on the topic and consider how I handle stress myself, I can conclude that the biggest cause of stress is fear of the unknown. A storm like we haven’t had for a decade. What damage will it cause? What is my response plan? Can I still get out and get to work? Not to mention the prolonged cold and its effects on the home, equipment, and the body.
Stress often brings out the ‘fight or flight’ instinct. How do you handle a situation? Sometimes running away is ok, truthfully. Florida is always attractive this time of year. Stress can make us react emotionally instead of with facts. We can spend foolishly or take time to analyze and problem solve. When we look at the situation, our experience of past similar events as well as our network of friends and family can bring us peace of mind that we can not only survive but make it through a difficulty better than before.
Our experience through a challenging situation should always be a learning experience. Even if we fail, we should take that as a lesson on what didn’t work. And we try, try again. Sometimes that lesson is – Hire a plumber. But when in doubt, stop at your local hardware store and have a conversation. You’ll probably find an item you need, but also some practical advice to go with it.
Daniel Karns and his wife own Clintonville Hardware & Rental along with other businesses. Join the discussion by contacting him at info@clintonvillehardware.com.