By Tanna M. Friday, sponsored content
In the quiet city of Argo, one local business has been serving the small community for nearly a decade.
In 2012, John and Ellen O’Rear purchased the store and five years later, they passed the torch to their daughter and son-in-law, Glen and Shea Waldrop, who took ownership of the 15,000 square foot hardware store, keeping the family tradition alive for many years to come.
“I was in construction for a while, and I just thought it was just time,” he said of his decision to purchase and run Argo Hardware. “Shea and I thought it would be good to carry on by keeping the business in the family.”
Being part of the community and making customers feel right at home is what Argo Hardware is all about. As a true family operation, Glen Waldrop can be seen daily throughout the store running the daily operations while Shea handles all the administrative duties. Together, they meet and greet customers every chance they get.
“Our number one focus is customer service,” says Waldrop. “When our customers walk in, we want them to feel at home in our store.”
Inside the warm, friendly doors of Argo Hardware, everyone is greeted. The convenience side of the store is stocked with a selection of local gifts ranging from candles to t-shirts, soft drinks, snacks, tobacco and beer. The hardware side offers a variety of hardware, automotive, electrical, pumping, and feed ranging from poultry to dog treats.
With just a few years under their belts, the Waldrop’s are already hungry for more. They are continuing to look for ideas to will add value to the store and community. While all areas of Argo Hardware’s convenience help bring in regular customer traffic, Argo Hardware is primarily focused on serving the community with gasoline, hardware, and feed.
Even though having a small store can be limiting, the Waldrop’s know their hometown community store is a place where residents can get what they need. “With all of the growth in the surrounding communities, Highway 11 has been filled with more traffic, we want to offer more convenience to surrounding areas,” says Glen.
Establishing Argo Hardware as a complete one-stop-shop has been vitally important throughout the pandemic. “For our community, it’s been about taking care of customer’s basic needs while providing a safe environment,” says Glen. “This community is very special and supportive and we are extremely grateful.”
Argo Hardware supplies 24/7 gas for travelers, even after business hours. “When we are not open, customers can still purchase fuel using the pay-at-the-pump feature. That’s just one of the services we wanted to do for our community. We have purchased new gas pumps to be installed soon to help better serve our customers.”
“Over the last few years we have tried to reinvent ourselves providing more products, while aiming to be something better for the community,” says Glen. We have added items such as spring plants, produce, and Christmas trees. We are excited to carry baby chicks and ducks in time for spring season. We thought it would add a fun touch to the business.”
In addition to the spring feathery friends, Argo Hardware offers ferns and tropicals, fishing bait, seasonal produce, and a cooler housing several freezer meals from Meals by Misty.
Although the largest part of Argo Hardware’s customer base is repeat business, they have seen more growth in the area with new friendly faces. “We take pride in ourselves as a family-owned and operated business where we remember our customers’ names. We want everyone who enters our store to feel welcome while finding exactly what they need.”
Argo Hardware is located at 335 US Highway 11, Trussville, AL 35173. Call (205) 467-0294 for more information including hours. Follow Argo Hardware on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ArgoHardware.