About Clarke’s

COMPANY HISTORY

The history of Heidleburg Inc. D.B.A. Clarke’s Hardware & Bradley’s Hardware began on April 15, 1950 with the purchase of the first store, Village Hardware. This 1000 square foot store, renamed A. F. Clarke Marine & General Hardware, housed one part-time employee. Arthur F. Clarke was the sole proprietor.

In 1960 the store was expanded to 2500 square feet of retail space and 750 square feet of storage area. The store joined its first co-op in 1968 then named American Hardware Supply. The store was held by Arthur F. Clarke until February 1972 when it was sold. A second location was purchased in September of the same year in New London, New Hampshire. This 5000 square foot store, named Clarke’s American Hardware, housed four full-time employees.

In 1977 the store was expanded to 7500 square feet of retail space. American Hardware changed its marketing name to Servistar and requested all dealers to do the same. The expanded store became Clarke’s Servistar Home Center.

On September 1, 1979 a third store, Clarke’s Servistar Hardware, was opened in Claremont, New Hampshire. This 6000 square foot store housed four full-time employees. Gordon L. Hunt joins the company in October of the same year. The Claremont store was closed in 1980 due to a lack of retail dollars to support the business.

In 1982 F. Read Clarke joins the company. In July 1983 Heidleburg Inc. was established and purchased all assets of Clarke’s Servistar Home Center from Arthur F. Clarke. The fourth store was purchased shortly thereafter with a location in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. This two building site, named Bradley’s Hardware, consisted of 4500 square feet of retail space and housed six full-time employees. Gordon Hunt relocates to Wolfeboro to run the store.

In 1985 a renovation of the New London store was conducted using Servistar’s retail design. The name was changed to Clarke’s Hardware. In 1986 another expansion took place of 2500 square feet outside storage for garden and landscape supplies. In the same year, the Wolfeboro store was expanded to 5000 square feet under one roof. The second building at the Wolfeboro location was sold.

In 1988 a fifth store, Kris Kringle’s Gift Shop, was purchased in New London, New Hampshire. The 1500 square foot Christmas and gift item store was run by Arthur Clarke. The store was closed in 1990 due to a lack of retail dollars to support the business. Arthur Clarke retires from the company.

1992 brought the twenty year anniversary of Clarke’s Hardware, the New London store. In 1993 the Wolfeboro store expands into the rental business and leases 3000 square feet renovated for retail display and on-site warehouse. The name was changed to Bradley’s Hardware & Rent Center.

Marketing logos were developed in 1995 for the business. The New London store acquires a Lighthouse symbol, the Wolfeboro store a Golden Wood Screw symbol.

In 1997 the New London store joins Hardware Wholesalers Inc. (HWI) as a second co-op supplier and the Wolfeboro store joins Ace as a second co-op supplier and renovates the retail sales area. In the same year the business develops and implements re-engineering procedures for management.

In 1998 the New London store expands its offering to the marketplace by adding a full scale do-it yourself Rental Dept.

In 1999 Clarke’s Hardware reaches an agreement with Ace Hardware Corporation of Oak Brook, IL. to join their buying cooperative and maintain their marketing image in the New London store. This requires Clarke’s to leave Servistar and HWI as suppliers and devote most of their buying direction towards Ace.

In 2000 Clarke’s completes a Full Level Ace Vision-21 store make-over to conform to the national appearance of the Ace profile. This task is completed by April 1st to preview Clarke’s Hardware 50 years in business anniversary year long celebration.

In 2003 Clarke’s Hardware signs the Ace Hardware commitment pledge of Helpful Service as a national campaign to excellence in the retail hardware industry. The store also receives local recognition for “Best Service in Retailing” by an independent newspaper reader’s poll.

In 2004 Clarke’s is recognized by Ace hardware as a national leader in Retail hardware excellence.

In 2005 Gorax Corporation of Wolfeboro, NH acquires Bradley’s Hardware. Clarke’s Hardware starts the study and implementation of the E-Myth best business management practices and procedures for small businesses.

From 2005 to the present the store has expanded staff, product offerings (such as our depth of earth-friendly items) and business styles. The year 2010 marks our 60 Year Anniversary! We move forward to continue providing what you need and help in how to do it. Our quality products and solid customer service are what we are all about!