Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
St John Flies
In addition to tools, toys, ice cream and gift items, Heritage Hardware carries locally crafted items, including these flies made by 10-year-old Birch Edwin Brown. According to Penny Hinds, his flies are special because “they catch fish.”
New businesses in small towns often struggle, but Heritage Hardware in St. John may have discovered the secret to success.
“I think the key is it’s not about us, it’s all about the community,” said Denny Hinds, one of the business owners.
Heritage Hardware opened in May. Hinds and wife Penny have already seen the business evolve and an outpouring of community support.
“The community has been amazing,” said Penny, who noted opening day they had 50 people waiting to get in.
The Hinds have lived in St. John for nearly nine years. The idea for the store began from their own needs and incorporated the needs and ideas of others. It is run by the Hinds and their partners, Ben and Nancy Compton.
“Lots of hands help to make it a really cool store,” said Penny.
When starting out, Heritage Hardware sought to fill needs without creating redundancies.
“We’re trying not to duplicate (what other stores in town have),” Penny said. She noted that Primeland has a great plumbing section, so they don’t carry the same things.
The store building was part of St. John Pharmacy, and some of its old features are back in this new incarnation.
“The soda fountain has been very popular,” she said. The store uses Ferdinand’s ice cream. Frozen confection offerings include ice cream, banana splits and milkshakes. With the warm weather, ice cream sales have been strong, especially around pool time. The Hinds have considered opening for a special evening family dessert time after hours.
When the St. John Pharmacy downsized its operation, gift items were removed from its inventory. Due to community requests, Heritage Hardware has a variety of giftware and party items. Penny noted Denny is an “old soul” so there are a lot of vintage toys and retro candies. There are candies for as little as five cents, so kids can come in and buy things with their own money. Penny said it is neat to see the generosity of kids as they like leaving tips.
“There is a culture of generosity here,” she noted.
The store also caters to practical and utilitarian needs, fulfilling the role of hardware store. They added lumber, sheet rock and building materials at prices comparable to big box stores.
“We can special order most things,” Penny said.
For pricing items, Penny looks up the items on Amazon Prime and prices the same if she can.
“Our prices are very competitive.”
One thing that makes that possible is Heritage Hardware is not the primary source of income for the Hinds or Comptons. It is a second job, so they do not have to make the prices high.
One of the original features of the business is the tool rental which has been slower than they thought it would be. Seasonal items like rototillers and weed-wackers have gone well at times. Heritage Hardware also carries a trencher, stump grinder, plate compactor and cement mixer which haven’t been used as much.
The farmers’ market has also recently changed. Penny noted one vendor has returned every week with others joining on different days. The farmers’ market has sold plants, jewelry, eggs and handmade items. It is open to any type of vendor.
“Anything people want to come and sell,” Penny said. The day for the farmers’ market has been changed to Fridays, 9 to 5. They plan to keep the farmers’ market going as long as people are coming out to sell things.
Inside, the store continues to support local craftsmen by selling items from locals such as fishing lures and body lotions and soaps.
Camping gear and tools balance with the games and confections at Heritage Hardware, creating a place that offers a little something for everyone. Penny said the people in town have been very supportive and they, in turn, are supportive of their neighbors, using the local lawyer, CPA and bank.
The old-school feel and hospitality of the store are paying off by drawing customers, friends and families and creating another healthy business for a small town.
“It’s been an adventure,” Penny said.
While the business does not currently have any employees, Penny said they hope to be able to employ people down the road.
Jana Mathia is a reporter at the Whitman County Gazette.
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