Thursday, June 28, 2007

Harvey's Hardware Store marks 20th anniversay

by Kenneth Lassiter

For a second time, Sam and Bonnie Harvey are celebrating a 20th anniversary of a business.

The first was Sam Harvey Construction Company Inc., which the couple owned and operated for 20 years before moving into the hardware business by buying the local hardware store from Max and Doris Mountain in 1987 and making what has since then been “Harvey’s Hardware” on the east side of the square in Oskaloosa.

Bonnie Harvey said the store has kept strong business over the years. In 1994, the store began carrying gift items and Bonnie said the addition has helped keep business strong during the winter and Christmas time. Bonnie said it’s also been the biggest draw for men to bring their wives to the hardware store with them.

“We’ve had several guys in here for something and they see that corner and say, ‘I’ll have to bring my wife in,’” Bonnie said.

She said the store’s balloon decoration items have also gained steam over the last few years.

“And, sure enough, they’ll come back and will go look for what they need while the wife will come look at the gifts. It’s surprised me how well they’ve worked together.”

Sam has a more humorous outlook on the store’s gift section.

“I told her one time she could get a few collectibles and this is how it ended up,” he said with a laugh.

As the Harveys near their 43rd anniversary late this month, they also mark 40 years of being self-employed.

The construction business had worn down Sam physically so the couple looked for something different and found the store.

Harvey’s is open six days a week, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and is closed on Sundays.

Their family helps with the hardware store, including children Debbie Kruse, Sam Jr. and Tom, who have worked and continue to fill in, occasionally, at the store. The Harvey’s have five grandchildren – April and Nicole Kruse, Oskaloosa, Ben and Zach Harvey, Oskaloosa and Paige Harvey, West Virginia. April and Nicole Kruse both have grown up in the hardware store and continue to work there.

The store’s gift section, which also includes candles and potpourri, have also lent a nice aroma to the store that they say frequently earns them compliments.

The couple has followed the “Golden Rule” to do unto others as you’d have them do unto you and that maxim has helped guide the way for, now, 40 years.

The Harveys said they feel blessed that they run a business in a supportive community and invited all to stop by on Saturday and help them celebrate 20 years as Harvey’s True Value Hardware & Gift Store.

“It’s nice to be able to say we’ve had two businesses now for 20 years,” Bonnie said. “A lot of that is due to the people around here. They’ve all been good to us.”