Bert Englert took over the Ellettsville True Value on Aug. 6, 2015, with no prior retail or hardware experience.
“There was no particular attraction to the hardware business or retail,” he said.
But other factors were a major draw.
The True Value was a family-owned and operated business in a small town relatively close to Salem, where Englert grew up and still lives with his wife and 10 of his 11 children. Its longevity has turned it into a staple of the community, and several of its employees have been there two decades or more.
“That said something about the culture and something about the people,” Englert said. “It also said something about the ability for me to come in, with no experience in the industry, and be able to step in and think I could make it work successfully.”
The previous owner, Frank Terkhorn, stayed on for six weeks to help Englert make the transition.
Even with all the help, Englert described the first year as “rough.”
He commutes three hours a day and frequently stays well after the store closes.
“It’s a huge learning curve in several aspects,” he said.
In particular, the many different parts of the business have been a struggle to learn. The U-Haul rentals, Just Ask tool rentals, small engine repairs, lawnmower sales and repairs, and weed eater sales each contribute something to the overall success of the business, but they come with a list of challenges of their own.
“The easiest thing has been working with people,” Englert said. “I like working with people.”
As he becomes more comfortable in his new role as owner of the Ellettsville True Value, Englert is hopeful that he can build something that will support his family for years to come. Some of his children are already helping at the hardware store.
He wants to use Old Quarry Farms, a growing facility he owns in Salem that has been idle for the last three years, to fuel flower and vegetable sales at the hardware dealer.
“Lord willing, some of (my children) will stay and blossom something big enough that can support two or three families,” Englert said. “Full families.”
But that’s in the future.
For now, he wants to stay the course at Ellettsville True Value and improve on the path the store was already traveling. Recently, the inventory was updated and work began to clean and reorganize the store.
“We’re glad to be in the community,” Englert said.
Ellettsville True Value is located at 4610 W. Richland Plaza Dr. It can be reached by phone at 812-876-2632.
Originally published in Ellettsville Journal, 2016. Republished here for archival and portfolio purposes.