by Katheryn Markle

Created on: April 07, 2009

Part of the nostalgia of my life

One memory I enjoy thinking about is when I first went into Werkheiser's hardware store alone when I was about 16 years old, newly married, and in need of new products to stock our first apartment. I ended up buying goods at local stores to get to know the town a little bit since I had lived in Pennsylvania and moved to Chester, West Virginia upon becoming a wife.

Well, every time I have ever gone into this tiny little country-like store since that first time, I instantly have smelled a scent that was neither pleasant or unpleasant, but unique. A combo of flower and vegetable seeds, rakes, potting soil, hoes, and tools like that. A hardware scented store with a whiff of feed store smell thrown in. A nice memory to recall that is triggered by that smell, reminding me of my first home with my new husband. I was so happy in that first home we made with all the new merchandise that I bought from Werkheiser's hardware!

Also, Werkheiser's was a quality brand store, carrying lots of "True Value" brand stuff during the seventies when I was a regular customer. I remember that people visited from Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania over the years to get garden utensils and supplies at this store. There wasn't too many hardware stores in the area in the seventies so this little store stood out among the rest pretty much. This store is a nostalgic piece of history in Chester, WV, and I think that the original owners, when I was sixteen, were the best owners. They were such nice people and they made a cute pair, the Mr and Mrs Werkheiser.

Another memory is the key cutting which was always a thrill to watch. It was a big deal then, before the machine was there that they have had in later years. Kids in the store would gather round to watch the keys cut out. Of course, the machine that came later was much more advanced! After the keys were done, old keys could be kept, so kids ended up with fun keys for role playing at home.

Unfortunately, my hubby and I had a recent experience with the current owner that will mean we will never return there for business! That new owner is let's say John Doe, [so as to not cause a ruckus!] and my hubby called him for an estimate to put in a new hot water tank for us. To simplify this story, it went like this: owner said he would come 4 different times and did not, but he ended up here and gave us a real reasonable estimate. Hubby hired him for the job and he was to come early morn last Friday. So I had to wait on my bath and laundry because the water would need to be off...and we both waited from 7:30 am till 1pm and hubby called. The new owner was not in the store.

Finally, my husband reached John Doe and he was assertive, asking, "What do you want me to do?" After John Doe said he was out finishing another job. So the owner told my hubby that he was getting done and would be right up then! So we waited and waited and wasted the entire day in wait! He offered no call, no explanation, nothing! So we think he is right down wrong and rude, to say the least! It is really a shame that this happened, but it is not our fault. This guy is not at all dependable. I would tell anyone that would ask me. I hope that it gets sold to an a couple who will be dependable and caring once again.

Part of the nostalgia of my life : My visits to the hardware store, smelling that nostalgic scent, and beaming with happiness as a new bride. Who would ever think that visiting a hardware store would make true happiness remembered in simple delights?

Werkheisers pro hardware -plumbing, hardware, & tools- 2nd St.& Carolina Ave., Chester, WV 26034 - USA

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