Business - D&L - Olde Rockford Hardware

The Olde Rockford Hardware Coming to Village
Opening Day Set for Saturday, November 3, 2007

Dave and Nancy Salway, along with Joey and Denny Salway, are announcing the opening of The Olde Rockford Hardware, which will share residence with D & L Classic Woodworking at 166 N. Main St. in Rockford. Family
members, including Joey and Denny's spouses, Stephanie and Darlene, have been working diligently, setting up and stocking the store with stain, paint supplies, hand tools, plumbing and electrical items, fasteners, and more. They plan to steadily increase the inventory in order to adequately serve the hardware needs of the community and surrounding area. Sure to delight children and adults alike is the Radio Flyer display, which features those classic wagons, tricycles, and other playthings that have been childhood favorites for generations.

Plumbing and electrical service work will be provided by Ted Bollenbacher of Renovations-R-Us, and the Salways are looking forward to working with Ted, who has an outstanding reputation of dependable service in the area.

The idea of a hardware store has been "in the works" for some time, and is especially meaningful to Nancy, whose grandfather Ralph Valentine began working in the hardware business in the late 1920's. Eventually Ralph and Helen Valentine, along with Nancy's father David, became owners of the (HWI) Rockford Hardware, Inc. The Valentine children spent many hours at the store over the years; her brother Craig later joined the business and worked there until 1982, when it was sold.

The Salway family is planning to hold special events for contractors, commercial customers, and farmers in order to become better acquainted with those business persons and their particular needs. They invite everyone to stop by and visit The Olde Rockford Hardware when the doors officially open on Saturday, November 3rd.

Business hours will be 9:00-6:00 weekdays, and 7:00-3:00 on Saturdays. Phone calls are also welcome at 419-363-3903.

The Salway Family goal is to maintain the same old-fashioned service and quality that was known by so many loyal customers of the original Rockford Hardware.

News from The Olde Rockford Hardware

The Olde Rockford Hardware, located within D & L Classic Woodworking at 166 N. Main Street, continues to grow as new inventory is added along with handmade wooden aisle signs. Many positive comments have come from the community, and they are all appreciated.

As many area residents know, Lloyd's Motor Sales was located in this building for many years. Dave and Nancy are excited to announce that they have obtained an original Lloyd's buggy and have moved it from Muncie, Indiana to Rockford. These buggies were manufactured to customers' specifications before being replaced by the automobile industry. Mary Lou Taylor has decorated the buggy for Christmas, and it will be on display for the Christmas Walk. (The pictures in this article were submitted by Barry Lloyd, whose family came to see the old buggy when Dave and Nancy brought it home.) If anyone has any information, advertisements, or photos of Lloyd's buggies which they would be willing to share, please contact D & L at 419-363-3903. Nancy is also seeking any old advertising or memorabilia (such as yardsticks, calendars, etc.) from The Rockford Hardware, which was owned by the Valentine family until 1982.

Please plan on stopping in during the Christmas Walk on Sunday, December 2nd.
There will be a booth selling Mary Kay Cosmetics, and another booth selling crafts. Also for sale will be bagged chocolate candy, which is being sold as a fund-raiser for the Hand-in-Hand 2008 Summer Hosting Program for Philippine Children. Visitors will have the opportunity to sign up for the annual Christmas prize drawing, and there will be a special drawing just for kids.

The Salway family would like to thank everyone for their initial support in this new business venture. - 2007

D & L Woodworking Features Master Crafting of Quality Wood Products - Cabinetry is Their Specialty - published PWI 2006

Dave and Nancy Salway have been in the woodworking business since 1996 and offer master craftsman-built custom cabinets, solid surface counter-tops, trim, doors and stairways, kitchens and baths, furniture and many specialty items in the showroom. They do both residential and commercial work. Located at 166 N. Main Street in Rockford, their hours are MTW and Fri - 9-5 and Sat 9-noon. Closed Thursday and Sunday. Stop in! Or call 419-363-3903 or email Nancy at dlclassicwoodworking@bright.net .

Customers can also buy "nostalgic" signs of a time gone by in the D & L Classic Woodworking showroom. They have the Andy of Mayberry Series and the Three Stooges just to name a few. They are fun and only $10.