By Mari Radtke
The young couple returned to Paullina in 2018 as the new owners of Paullina Hardware. At the time they had 3 kids. The added a larger toy section in Paullina. On Friday June 13 they became the proud owners of what was Shea’s True Value, now Primghar Hardware. After over 40 years in the retail hardware business, the Shea’s decided to make the sale.
Heidi and Eric have 2 stores, a bike shop and 5 kids. They have certainly grown.
For now, Primghar Hardware will keep the same hours as it has for years, but as soon as staffing gets ramped up expect extended hours to include 6:30pm closing and longer hours on Saturday. Eric says they and Gary Shea are keeping a working relationship with Gary’s HVAC business. The supplier, however is changing. There no longer is a True Value. Eric is not working with any national chain. They are adding Primghar Hardware to the independent supplier they have been dealing with in Paullina for about 7 years now. Even though the supplier will change, the inventory selection will remain much the same. He adds that the two stores will play off each other, be extensions to each other.
The conversation between the Brown’s and the Shea’s has been ongoing for a long time. Eric explained that the timing hadn’t been quite right. “This time it was.”
There is a lot of work to do in Primghar. They are starting with a store reset. And looking to decide just how they want to fill all that space. “There are a lot of decisions to make,” said Eric. They’ll continue with the housewares, Christmas, yard & garden and greenhouse for sure.
“We’re happy to be in Primghar,” Eric added with Heidi saying, “We’re trusting in the Lord.”