RANDOLPH, Neb. (AP) - It seems as though some things never change.
For the past 47 years, Sam and Nancy Reineke have served the residents of Randolph in the heart of the downtown with Sam’s Hardware, the Norfolk Daily News (https://bit.ly/2ss6r4u ) reported.
“We have been in the same spot since I purchased the business in 1970,” Reineke said.
Reineke bought the Gambles store from his wife’s uncle, Glen Stingley, after he had worked in the business for five years.
He graduated from high school in 1962 in McLean and, after serving in the National Guard for two years, returned home to marry his wife, a Laurel native. He started working in the local hardware store in 1965.
Reineke learned early on it was all about customer service.
“My customers are my friends, and that’s how I treat them,” Reineke said. “Quality customer service is the key to a successful business, I have found.”
His customers can be seen using the front or back door. If he doesn’t have an item in stock, he finds it.
The product line has basically stayed the same with plumbing hardware stock and electrical items, small appliances and housewares, but he offers some unusual toy lines for his customers.
“I’m just a Ma and Pa hardware store,” Reineke said with a laugh.
In 1984, the Gambles chain went out of business and Reineke joined another chain that has worked well over the years.
Reineke said he would still like to order from a catalog but in today’s computerized world, he has had to adjust somewhat. He does look for products on the computer but when he wants to order something, he is just as happy to call “the girls in the main office” or even ask them to fax him the details.
December brings Christmas, which sees the Reinekes beefing up holiday items and Sunday morning store hours. The couple offer samples of hors d’oeuvres and other holiday treats that customers can order.
Reineke also is known as a handyman of sorts around town. His customers know if they want to drag their hose into the store, he will replace the end or fix an electric cord.
Lawn mowers are for sale, and tune-ups are available. He also is known as a watch battery man and recently when his son came home for a visit, he brought a bag of nine watches with dead batteries that he collected from other employees in his office, so Dad could replace them over the weekend.
Over the years, Reineke employed only one other person. But all of the couple’s four children worked in the store as their part-time job.
In Nancy’s spare time, she operates her own beauty shop. The couple do take life easy once in a while and will leave early for a weekend to spend time with the grandkids.
The couple still enjoy going to the hardware market shows to get a firsthand glimpse of new retail items.
After this year’s market, he added a new product line that impressed him.
The items are “flying off the rack,” and he was pleased he made a good business choice instead of offering a dud.
When asked if Reineke will retire anytime soon, he laughs and said when people retire, they die.
He has customers to serve, including a hearty welcome to any muddy boots coming into his store.
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Information from: Norfolk Daily News, https://www.norfolkdailynews.com
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