 Logan County Hardware was opened by Scott's father, William, almost
45 years ago. Scott and his wife, Melody, now run the business.
Turning in his seat, Scott answers the question of how many chairs
he has worn out. "I'm not sure, but it's been a few. But the
shelving and layout of the store are the same as the day we opened."
Certainly the store shows a utilitarian purpose rather than a
marketing approach. From boxes gathered on shelves, to items loose
in bins instead of being in modern blister packs, this store is a
reminder of what an old-time hardware store was for -- to purchase
what you needed without concern for packaging or display.
"For the most part we sell electrical and plumbing supplies now,"
Scott explained. "Some items that the big stores carry just wouldn't
sell in our store. So we probably stock a third of the items we did
when we first opened." Thinking back on the early days, Scott said,
"We used to have a Corning Ware section, and we sold pressure
cookers, toys and fishing equipment back then. How many Corning Ware
displays do you see in a store nowadays?"
To be sure, Scott and wife Melody aren't fearful of the future,
due to Scott's many talents. "You have to be diversified," Melody
pointed out.
Scott is the licensed locksmith in Logan County and that keeps
him busy. "We cut a lot of keys here, a lot." Scott said. "Plus I
change a lot of locks and work on safes, safe deposit boxes, master
keying and other things like that." Being a licensed locksmith
causes him to have to pay $500 every three years plus carry a
million dollars in liability insurance, but being a tumbler master
is good work in Logan County. "It keeps me busy," Scott reassured.
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If that wasn't enough, Scott is also a registered gun dealer and
carries a modest display of rifles on hand. He also can order
anything a hunter would request and sells ammunition at the store.
But still there is more.
The back room of the hardware store currently houses a machine
shop with huge, heavy machines crowded into the room. When asked
what he planned to do with all the machines he purchased when the
high school closed its machine shop, Scott with a wry smile said,
"I'll make stuff." Pressed for what exactly he would make, he
mentioned ductwork and then, again with a wry smile, advised that
he is licensed in repair and installation of heating, ventilation
and air conditioning. Just to round out his résumé, Scott mentioned
that he also was licensed by the EPA to handle freon.
Asked if he ever thought of adding brain surgery to his list of
many talents, Scott didn't miss a beat. "I might ... if things get
slow."
Melody doesn't seem to disagree. "He can do anything."
With all these mini-businesses going on, it was obvious how
essential it is for Melody to man the store while Scott is out and
about doing something in the service sector. Together the two of
them have "locked in" a successful living in Logan County. "Each of
the jobs by themselves won't make it. But with all of them combined,
I can be as busy as I want to be because I offer service, and that
is something people can't find in the big stores," Scott said.
Plus if things ever get slow for the Macks, there are all those
brains out there that might need a little surgery. Another license
for Scott Mack might be just around the corner. One cannot believe
he wouldn't be good at it.
[By MIKE FAK]
Readers can find more of Mike Fak's writing at
www.searchwarp.com
and www.problogs.com.
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