Pictures Of Today

The West News 1979

        The West True Value Hardware store recently moved from its former location at 109 E. Oak St. to a new building and location at 112-20 N. Roberts St.

        George Smajstrla, co-owner of the store, said the move was made so the store would  be able to offer a wider range of merchandise and better parking facilities  to its customers.

        According to Smajstrla, construction on the new store began February and finished in October, Along with Smajstrla, Jerry Zapalac is a co-owner of the store, with Bernard Gerik employed as the store manager.  Other store employees are  Wayne Zapalac and John Macicek.

        The store is located on the lot which formerly housed Kolacek s Lumber Yard with the former lumber yard used as a warehouse adjacent to the hardware store.

        Smajstrla said the hardware store began business after buying out the J.R. Polasek Co. in 1946.  This hardware company was located on the lot which until recently was occupied by the State National Bank.  He said the hardware store had also bought out the Christian Hardware Company approximately 15 years ago.

        The new 5,000 square foot building offers merchandise consisting of sporting goods, paints, tools, automotive parts, plumbing supplies, garden tools and farm supplies.

        The new store is one of approximately 6,000 stores that are stockholders in Cotter  and Company (a dealer owned national hardware distributor).        

         Cotter and Co.,  said Smajstrla, is a 100% member owned company.   He said that by being a stockholder in this company.   He said that by being a stockholder in this company West True Value Hardware will be able to offer low cost merchandise to the public.  

        The reason for the lower cost merchandise to the public.  The reason for the lower costing merchandise is that, by being a member owned company, the profits go back to the store which in turn gives customers less expensive merchandise.  

        He also said,  Cotter and Co. operates three modern paint facilities which give us (stock holding companies) a chance to sell paint more competitively.    The distributing company also owns a lawn mower factory.

        The new building has enabled the store to increase its stock by 50% with Smajstrla adding that the stock will increase more as it goes along.

        The West True Value Hardware Store deals in both widely known brands of merchandise along with private brand names.  Smajstrla said that by dealing with the lesser publicized brands the customer would receive  quality brand merchandise for less money.

        The store is open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays and 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.

        ----The West News Vol. XXX? Week XXX?