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Chamber event 'mobs' family hardware store
(by Sue Reid - June 27, 2012)
Chamber event 'mobs' family hardware store
By SUE REID
For more than 50 years, Solon Valley Hardware has been in business in Solon. Last week, the store at the corner of Melbury Avenue and Station Street experienced a first -- it was 'mobbed'!
Nearly 60 customers flooded the store as part of the Solon Chamber of Commerce's first "cash mob," in which participants were asked to spend $20 at a local establishment.
The chamber chose Solon Valley Hardware, and owner John and Joan Miller were honored to be selected, they said.
"We were extremely appreciative of the chamber to have recognized this family business," Mrs. Miller said. "I think the chamber works very hard in Solon."
The Millers, along with their sons, Jonathan and David, run the business, which has been in existence since 1960. The store had two locations in the Solon Square Shopping Center before the couple purchased their current store in 1979.
Mrs. Miller said they did not know what to anticipate with the mob, "four, 40 or 400 customers."
"It was fun to do," she said, and her son even grilled hot dogs for the shoppers.
From 5 to 6 p.m., customers milled around and shopped, many spending over the requested $20.
"It was a great experience," chamber President and CEO Nancy Traum said. "Everyone was talking to each other, doing their shopping and walking around the store.
"It was about people having fun while supporting a locally owned business," she said. "We picked a store that had lots of choices."
"The Solon community, by and large, has been supportive of us," Mrs. Miller said. "There are a lot of faces we repeatedly see," she said. "We're very grateful for that," she said. "There are a lot of mom-and-pop stores that really, really struggle."
Mrs. Miller said much of their business depends on Mother Nature. "This past winter was certainly a very light winter," she said, "so not a lot of snow products sold." But the previous year was different, she said, "when snow was to our knee caps."
The business, which employs 10 to 12 people, some for them for almost 40 years, is known for "selling service," Mrs. Miller said. "Our employees know what they are doing and how to fix things."
The Millers raised their family in Solon, and their three children attended the Solon schools. Mr. Miller is still at the store every day, except Sunday, when Mrs. Miller is there.
"It gives me an opportunity to be with my sons, and I love retailing," she said. "It's fun to see those customers. They've become my friends."
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