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Bob Olund of True Value Hardware
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Bob Olund
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Val Doherty and John Gregors
Say Hello to Bob Olund at True Value Hardware
Browsing is fun at the True Value Hardware store in Two Harbors, Minnesota.
The variety at Bob Olund’s store, 610 First Avenue, is astonishing: greeting cards, wind socks, birthday and party supplies, slingshots, BB guns, bike tires and helmets, automotive stuff, Weber grills, vacuum cleaners, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, lawn games, fans, pet supplies, chainsaws, even homemade preserves by Bob’s wife, Susan. That’s just a sample.
And if you can’t find it, Bob will special order it for you.
“I’ve had people from the Twin Cities come up here and say, ‘Gosh, I wish we had your store in our neighborhood.’”
Since buying the store in 1987, Bob has expanded from two to four consecutive buildings near the downtown waterfront. The paint center accounts for 25 to 30 percent of gross sales.
About 20 percent of the store’s business is from tourists who stop by for camping supplies, toys or housewares for their vacation home. That means that most of his business is local, including strong commercial business support - everyone from large manufacturers to local restaurants.
“We’re kind of a dinosaur, because there aren’t many stores like this around anymore.”
Big discount stores might sell a particular size of screw only by the box, but here you can buy just a couple. Select nails by the pound, or take 2 ounces home. You can look for small parts and odds and ends like doorbell buttons or a few cotter pins and drain plugs used in boats.
“A lot of these things, you can’t even get retail,” Bob says.
Even as a 10-year-old, Bob showed initiative. He offers a story about Seymour Chez, who owned a women’s store in Duluth. While passing Seymour’s house one day, “He says to me, ‘Bob, I’m an avid trout fisherman, and I’ll pay you a penny a worm for every worm you bring me.’”
Bob went out at night and worked until he filled a 5-gallon bucket with 4,563 worms. Carrying the heavy load to his neighbor’s house wasn’t easy, but he got it there. Seymour opened his door to find Bob with all those worms.
“He was shocked,” Bob recalls. He paid the $45.63, as promised. “For a 10-year-old, that’s a lot of money.”
Adds Bob: “That was my first experience with being a businessman.”
(Later, he would get a job marking merchandise at Seymour’s store.)
Today, Bob’s True Value Hardware store is jam-packed with all manner of tools, plumbing supplies, lawn and garden equipment, housewares and electrical supplies, including an extensive selection of lamp parts. (Bob knows the town. He says there are many craftspeople in Two Harbors who make lamps.) You can find corks, rivets and cabinet knobs. Bob has school supplies, gloves and Yax Trax for easier walking in the winter.
“I don’t mean this to sound arrogant, but once a person has been to my store, they always come back.”
His experience in a number of diverse jobs over the years prepared him for running a hardware business. He’s been a carpenter, sheet metal worker and iron worker; he worked in receiving at Target and was a route salesman for Taystee Bread; he owned apartment buildings in Duluth; and he worked as an accountant for the federal government.
“I’m 61 and it’s still fun,” Bob says. But when it comes time to retire, he’s not sure what will happen to the store. He would hate to see Two Harbors lose its hardware store.
“I’ve got a great deal of passion and … I feel a real connection to the town,” he says, adding that he hopes he’ll be able to find someone to buy the store and keep it open.
True Value Hardware, 610 First Avenue, Two Harbors, Minnesota. 218-834-2222.
Waterfront Gallery Promotes Art and Downtown Two Harbors
Waterfront Gallery at 632 First Avenue in Two Harbors features fine arts and gifts, including wonderful photographs shot by co-owners John Gregor and Val Doherty.
“We have exhibits that range from other photographers to painters to sculptors to weavers,” John says. “When we have a visiting exhibit, a third to half of the gallery space is for visiting artists, and the other half is our permanent collection. We have pictures from all other the world. Typically we concentrate more on Lake Superior imagery.”
A fall exhibit, “One Special Place,” will include a number of photographers who contribute one image of their favorite place on Lake Superior.
John, who has worked on several books, including Growing Home: Stories of Ethnic Gardening, says Waterfront Gallery sells a variety of books and tries to promote regional and local authors. The gallery also represents four ceramists and about a dozen jewelry makers.
The gallery opened four years ago next to ColdSnap Photography, which John started in the Twin Cities, then moved to Two Harbors. ColdSnap does photo workshops and tours, and Waterfront Gallery handles sale of art and exhibits.
Val and John are active in helping to improve the downtown area and make it more vibrant through the Waterfront Business Owners Association, a group of business owners who also work with the city Arts and Beautification Commission. Adding flower baskets along the avenue is one project.
Here’s a list of scheduled events at Waterfront Gallery in 2011:
“Water Works at Waterfront,” April 9 to May 14, is the third annual spring exhibit by the Voyageur Art Club of the North Shore. This group show includes paintings, drawings, photography, ceramics and jewelry. The exhibit reception will be Saturday, April 9, from 4-6 p.m. The opening is free and everyone is welcome.
“Lake Superior,” an exhibit by Val Doherty and John Gregor, early summer.
Martye Allan, ceramic artist, in an exhibit in summer.
“One Special Place,” an exhibit by numerous Lake Superior photographers, opens in September.
Al Omarzu, pottery exhibit, fall.
Holiday Open House, Saturday, December 10, includes a book signing with a local author, a jewelry trunk show and music.
Waterfront Gallery, 632 First Avenue, Two Harbors, Minnesota. 218-834-0756, www.waterfront-gallery.com.