New hardware store owners want to expand services
Staff writer
Ownership of Hillsboro Hardware and 2S Outdoor Power changed hands this week, with new management planning a major expansion of inventory and updates to the store.
Waters Hardware Organization assumed operations April 22 after previous owners Kevin and Nicole Suderman said ongoing mental, physical and financial strain led them to step away.
Rusty Gerkin, owner and president of Waters Hardware Organization, said the purchase fit into the company’s growing presence across Kansas.
“We’re expanding pretty rapidly in Kansas, and so it kind of fit right in our wheelhouse,” Gerkin said. “We have a store in Salina, Emporia, Valley Center. So it just kind of fit right there in between all those.”
The company has made it a priority to keep small-town hardware stores operating, Gerkin said.
“Honestly, we don’t want to see small-town hardware stores close up,” he said.
In many rural communities, hardware stores serve a broader role than typical retail, often filling gaps left by larger chains located miles away.
“Sometimes we’re the mini Walmart of some of these towns,” Gerkin said.
The most immediate change customers will see is a significant increase in inventory.
Waters plans to invest several hundred thousand dollars in the Hillsboro location.
“We’re going to nearly double, almost triple the inventory in the store,” Gerkin said.
New product lines are expected to include Milwaukee tools, along with the addition of lumber.
Most of the changes, including inventory expansion, interior updates, new signage and exterior improvements, are expected to take place within the next two months.
While ownership has changed, Gerkin said, local staffing will remain largely the same.
“We want to utilize all local people,” Gerkin said. “That’s the goal.”
The current store manager will remain in place, and the company expects to add one or two full-time employees along with a part-time position.