The 19th Ward has been an influential neighborhood throughout its history. Hunt’s Hardware has been a part of this community for over 100 years and is a strong asset to the community. In recent years it has run into difficulties due to mismanagement
by a new generation. We would like to take the business and place it under new management so it can help improve the neighborhood and provide its residents with a place to live and prosper.
Changes to Expect from Hunts
Product and service offerings
* Shelves will be fully restocked to provide you with all of your hardware needs
* New product offerings to include pest control, paint supplies, and cleaning supplies
* Service department will be expanded to include blade sharpening and tool rentals
* Key cutting, glass and screen repair service will continue
* How-to classes for basic home repairs
Customer Service
* A majority of employees will be mature adults with work and people skills needed to provide excellent customer service
* Younger employees with little experience will be mentored and trained to provide better customer service
* Codes of conduct and standards will be instituted
Expertise
* Mike Heinemann will help manage the employees and provide technical experience expected of a hardware store
* Employees will be mostly mature adults who have broad training/experience with the various aspect of home maintenance
* Some younger employees will be hired for lower skilled tasks like operating registers and stocking shelves and given advancement opportunity as they acquire more knowledge and skills related to hardware
Building/Facilities
* Building will be renovated inside and out to improve atmosphere
* Floor plan and layout will be optimized to improve customer shopping experience
Long-term Plans
A big part of Hunt’s history has been to serve the community that has so loyally supported them. Here are some of the ideas that we would like to try once Hunt’s has stabilized that we believe will improve the community and lives
of the people who live there:
* Sponsor little league teams
* Hold annual customer appreciation celebrations
* Replace the garages in the back of the store with one large barn that can serve the following purposes:
--- Engage construction contractors to hold demonstration classes that will introduce youth to new trades and help identify promising candidates who show an interest in the various trades
--- Hold larger workshops and home repair skills classes
--- Expand service center to increase service offerings
--- Store larger rental equipment such as floor sanders and lawn/garden equipment and a wide selection of lumber or plumbing supplies
--- Host other community events
Support We Need from the Community
In order to get our campaign started, we first need to acquire the assets allowing us to start with a clean slate. The $170,000 is a rather larger number but this is an extremely important part of the 19th Ward that will
require a significant amount of effort and creativity to get started. Excess funds will be put towards the other initiatives described in the “Long-term Plans” sections above.
What You Will Get in Return
The community members will get a like-new hardware store that has been completely updated and will continue to serve their hardware needs for the next 100 years (disclaimer: ownership changes may take place over this period of time but transition between
owners will be much smoother). In addition, you will gain the benefit of a stronger community and improved quality of life.
Oh yeah, and you’ll also get store credit worth 50% more than your contribution. You will receive $150 of store credit for a contribution of $100 towards the campaign. Contributions of larger amount will receive a scaled up store credit ($1500 store credit
for $1000 contribution). These store credits will be distributed in three equal amounts on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd anniversaries of store re-opening in three equal amounts in the form of a store gift card.
If you would simply like to support the campaign but have no use for the store credit yourself, you can designate a group or person to receive the store credit. All contributors will receive a to-be-designed sticker
Why Should You Believe in Us?
The core of this campaign is three guys with varying backgrounds that all are passionate about seeing the store succeed and community thrive.
David Culeton was raised in Victor, NY, obtained a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Drexel University in 2007 and served in the Peace Corps in South Africa 2008-2010. In the Peace Corps, he built a modern kitchen by gaining support in the form of labor and
materials from the South African community. In 2012 he bought his first property (an owner-occupied duplex) and began investing more heavily in 2014 when he purchased 362 Arnett Blvd (4 apartment/2 commercial space multi-use building) in the heart of the 19th
Ward. The building (currently under renovation) was gutted and included redesigning the structural system and roof to improve floor plans and align the loads to improve the structural integrity. 85% of the structural framing was replaced to achieve open floor
plans and a solid structure. His aim is to use his investment activities to grow the 19th ward and make it a better, more sustainable place to work and live.
David Hunt has worked at Hunt’s Hardware for over 50 years and is the only Hunt who we will be retained as part of the management team. He specializes in paints/coatings, pest control products, and product research and supplier relationships. He will be
responsible for leading community workshops and customer service training
Mike Heinmann has over 10 years of experience working at Hunt’s and will be the full-time manager. He has a practical knowledge of most departments and will be our skilled “hands-on sales specialist. He will also help with training efforts and have other
various business roles within the company. His passion for hardware stores and culture will be an invaluable asset to the success of the business.
Learn more here: http://startsomegood.com/Venture/save_hunts_hardware
Help Us Spread the Word!
If you are unable to support our campaign financially, please help by spreading the word through e-mail, Twitter, Facebook, message boards, blogs, or any other networking method you have available.
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR CAMPAIGN AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING YOU!!!
