R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press At T&T True Value Hardware, owner Kelly O’Connell makes a copy of a key for a customer.

Editors note: The Daily Press will be featuring a series of articles on local businesses, highlighting their history and what makes them unique. The series will run on a regular basis in the Daily Press.

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ESCANABA — In 1935, T&T True Value Hardware opened in a 1,800-square-foot space in downtown Escanaba. Now, they are across the street at 1104 Ludington Street, occupying a hard-wooded floorspace three times the size, with full aisles dotted with white pillars. This site used to be a Kresge store, and then Jupiter dime and dollar stores owned by Kmart until T&T Hardware relocated to accommodate their expanding business, said owner Kelly O’Connell.

The development of technology expanded the lines of products relevant to the business, necessitating the 1988 move. “Merchandise just started changing — cordless, power tools, everything. Paint was expanding — years ago, you could only but flat paint. Now you can buy flat and eggshell and satin and semi-gloss.”

The biggest sellers, O’Connell says, are seasonal items. “In the winter, it’s snow shovels, snow blowers, ice melt; in the summer, lawn and garden, charcoal and gas grills, and paint.” They assemble all of the equipment sold in the store.

He says he loves beng downtown. The store has a lot of local business, and the staff knows several of the regulars personally. “I love the people of Escanaba, and I thank them for all the support in our business,” says O’Connell, then who proceeds to greet the next person to walk in the store by name. “Hi, Fran.”

Kelly O’Connell has worked in the store for 45 years and owned it for 44. He bought it from his uncle, Ed O’Connell, who in turn bought it from his in-laws, Kibby and Lorraine Trieber — the founders who make up the “T&T” retained in the name for 88 years.