The Story of Clarke’s Hardware, Part 2
February 17, 2010
The second location for Clarke’s Hardware was New London, New Hampshire. The new shopping center was being built and Clarke’s Hardware would become its anchor store. Occupying 5,000 square feet of retail space, the business expanded its product offerings and increased its payroll to include four full-time employees. Within five years the store expanded again into the Home Center, focusing on building supplies and cabinet displays. This was short lived, however, and by 1979 the store was converted back to full scale hardware, with an emphasis on paint and lawn supplies. Further expansion continued with the hiring of additional staff and the opening of store number three in Claremont, NH . Surviving only nine months due to lack of supporting sales, store #3 was closed, but the quest for more locations continued. Gordon Hunt joined the company’s management staff in the fall of 1979 and Read Clarke was asked to join management in 1982. Reorganization, expansion and growth followed with this leadership team.
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