Family flow at Grabill Hardware
Grabill Hardware is celebrating the official transition of ownership from Claude Schrock to his son, Len Schrock, and business partner Jim Gerig.
“Ever since I was a kid, I’ve wanted to someday become an owner and this is a dream come true,” said Len Schrock, talking to HBSDealer by phone. Schrock and Gerig are member-owners of U.S.-based hardware, lumber and building materials buying cooperative Do it Best.
As for new plans for the hardware business going forward, “we will be adding some services like car key remotes and skate sharpening, along with some other things,” said Len Schrock.
Founded in 1930 by Abner Gerig, Claude Schrock became a co-owner of Grabill Hardware in Grabill Indiana, near Fort Wayne, in 1972.
The ownership team was later enhanced by the addition of Jim Gerig (no relation to the founder), who started working in the store in 1974 when he was still in high school.
In 1987, Len started working at the store after Abner retired, and joined the ownership team in 2001. The store thrived under the trio’s leadership, the firm said, and they opened their second location, Woodburn Do it Best Hardware, in 2010.
Now, Claude is transferring the last of his ownership to his trusted business partners.
“I am confident the stores are in good hands with Len and Jim,” said Claude Schrock. “As I look back over my time in Grabill, I am so thankful for the support of this community, especially to the many volunteers who helped us recover from our devastating fire.
“We would not have made it all these years without the many loyal customers I am pleased to call my friends.”
He also praised his customers for their loyalty throughout the pandemic. “Covid caused us to idle our big plans for our 90th anniversary in 2020, but I’m happy to say it’s a nearly daily celebration to see the continued support of our valued customers,” said Schrock.
The pandemic is not the only challenge the business has faced. On November 22, 1976, the store was destroyed by fire.
“Abner, Claude, and the store’s employees kept the hardware business going, first in a corner of the local hatchery, then through the purchase of the town’s lumberyard, which had gone out of business the previous year,” the company said. The store was rebuilt on the same location in downtown Grabill and reopened in October 1977.
Today, Grabill and Woodburn Hardware stock a wide variety of tools, builders’ hardware, electrical supplies, plumbing and heating supplies, lawn and garden supplies, sporting goods, housewares, and paint and sundries.
Because both stores are in old order Amish communities, the firm said, they also carry a unique selection of hard-to-find items, including oil lamp supplies, lantern parts, cast iron cookware, freeze dryers, pressure canner seals and parts, meat grinders and parts, crocks, wooden clothes drying racks, and more.
“We serve the Amish community as well and that’s unique and special,” said Len Schrock.