Half a century of service

Trisha Benton

for the Randolph Times

randolph — The cost of a gallon of gas was 36 cents. 

The Beatles decided to call it quits.

“Monday Night Football” and the soap opera “All My Children” made their debuts. 

Yes, 1970 was quite a year but in a significantly more memorable way for Sam and Nancy Reineke of Randolph. On Dec. 1, 1970, the couple purchased Gambles in Randolph and the business has been a mainstay in the community ever since – 50 years and counting - now known as Sam’s Hardware Hank. 

“I still get a check now and then for Gambles,” Sam said with a chuckle. 

Sam worked for Glen Stingley (Nancy’s uncle) at Gambles five years before purchasing the building which he accounts for being in the right place at the right time when the Stingleys decided to retire. But he was always interested in having his own store. 

  “We were young people. (I don’t know) how many people told us ‘You guys are going to go broke. You’re going to lose everything. You kids are crazy,’ ” Sam said.

Perhaps those first weeks and months, the Reinekes could not help but question whether those naysayers were right with the long hours they put in at the store. When they took over Dec. 1, there was no Christmas inventory. They wanted more of everything in the store and so they “really ordered,” Nancy said. 

“That first truck about murdered us,” Sam said. 

Do not be fooled by the “hardware” name – Sam’s Hardware Hank is more of a “Ma and Pa general store,” Sam said. Sure, you will find “everyday items” like tools and nails but also basic appliances, your favorite Watkins products and a wide selection of toys, just to name a few. There’s always something that surprises people, they said.

Did you know they carry shoelaces? How about plumbing parts? Pots and pans? If they don’t have it, the Reinekes want to find it for you. 

“Usually, people come in and they have something in mind. We hope if they can’t find it, they ask because it’s usually around someplace,” Nancy said. 

One recent example comes from this summer when canning supplies were in short supply nationwide. Sam delighted a customer by coming through with a pressure canner after she had tried several other places. 

Things have certainly changed over the last 50 years from the products they stock to how the Reinekes go about their business. The biggest change came in 1986 when Gambles changed names and affiliation to Hardware Hank. 

The look of the store certainly has changed, too. When they started at Gambles, the wooden counters were held up with steel fence posts. Newer, more modern fixtures came quickly. 

Retail prices increased exponentially as well. A basic pair of pliers sold for 59 cents while nowadays you can expect to pay $7. Also, there’s so much more variety of items – instead of one or two kinds of lightbulbs there’s different brands, styles and price points. 

Consumer spending habits have also changed. In the 1970s, the business stocked farm supplies like milk buckets. In the ‘80s, they made sure to have Cabbage Patch dolls on hand. 

“It’s mind boggling what is spent on pet stuff. Way back then your dog maybe got a bone,” Sam said.

From hand-writing charge tickets to microfiche to more modern computer systems, the operations of Sam’s Hardware Hank also went through a revolution. Although some things remain the same such as personalized customer service and the Reinekes signature style of selling through product demonstrations. 

Oftentimes customers come into the store and say, ‘Sam knows what I need.’ Sam has also been known to leave a hot plate of food sit at the kitchen table to run to the store after hours for a customer in need.  

The Reinekes can stack up memories like the goods on their shelves like the time they counted items for inventory by flashlight due to a power outage. Christmas celebrations with Santa Clause coming for a visit. And just 10 years ago when they hosted their 40th anniversary open house, going through 60 pounds of ground beef for “tavern” sandwiches and 13 pans of carrot cake bars. 

2020 has certainly been a year to remember, too. Due to coronavirus concerns, the Reinekes decided to run the business from their front window only – not allowing customers to come in and browse. They conducted business that way for several months and racked up thousands of miles on their shoes in the process.

It’s a blessing to have the support of their children – Marcy Morrison and Jason Reineke, now both of Omaha, Stacy Galbraith of Papillion and Brian Reineke of Norfolk – who grew up in the store and pitch in now whenever they can. 

But they consider every customer just like family – or at least close friends.  

“We have great customers in town. Over the years, it’s just unbelievable,” Sam said. 

The Reinekes know they don’t have another 50 years in them, but they are content for now supporting the community that has supported them for so many years. 

“We love what we do and we’re happy,” Sam said. 

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