Jordan Beck | Daily Press T&T True Value Hardware owner Kelly O’Connell shows shaker bottles of ice melt that are being sold at his store. Though T&T True Value Hardware has been an Escanaba staple since 1935, O’Connell said True Value has been taking steps to appeal to modern-day shoppers.

Editor’s note: The Daily Press features a profile of an area business each week. This week’s featured business is T&T True Value Hardware in Escanaba.

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By Jordan Beck

jbeck@dailypress.net

ESCANABA — Though T&T True Value Hardware has been an Escanaba staple since 1935, owner Kelly O’Connell said True Value has been taking steps to appeal to modern-day shoppers.

O’Connell has been at T&T True Value Hardware for decades.

“I’ve been working in this store since 1978,” he said. He bought the store from his uncle, Ed O’Connell, the following year.

In 1988, T&T True Value Hardware moved from 1113 Ludington St. to its current location at 1104 Ludington St. This move provided the store with a significant increase in floor space.

“We went from a 1,500-square-foot store to 5,000,” O’Connell said.

Today, T&T True Value Hardware offers a broad range of products.

“We carry a wide variety of hardware, housewares, power tools … we’re a pretty diversified store,” he said.

In spring and summer, O’Connell said lawn and garden-related products and paints are strong sellers at T&T True Value Hardware.

“We have a very, very good line of paint and stains,” he said.

Currently, T&T True Value Hardware is gearing up for the holiday season and winter months.

“We’re getting big into snow shovels, ice melt, Christmas lights and decorations — that season’s coming up, now,” O’Connell said.

O’Connell said True Value has been working hard to stay relevant in the 21st century.

“We have to keep up with the times and reach our customers through technology,” he said.

Additionally, True Value has entered the world of e-commerce. Customers can now order products on truevalue.com and have them shipped to T&T True Value Hardware — an option which O’Connell said is becoming increasingly popular.

“Online ordering is growing every year … for True Value,” he said.

Aside from these changes, O’Connell said T&T True Value Hardware plans to continue focusing on customer service.

“We really strive to do the work for our customers,” he said.

He also thanked people in the area for their continued support of the store.

“We’re really proud to be a big part of this community,” O’Connell said.