For Over 134 Years, Customer Service Remains Priority

The original building is there, having been added to, renovated and at times, remodeled. The old floorboards creak when you walk through aisles. The aisles are laden with nuts, bolts, garden tools, plumbing and electrical, paint and sundries, as well as canning and other kitchen utensils appliances. For 134 years, Wilhelm’s Hardware has stood in the same location in Myerstown, Pennsylvania.

The community has changed over the past century-and-a-quarter-plus years. Yet Wilhelm’s Hardware remains an important part of the community, providing that same first-name service since 1882.

The building is full of history. John Henry Wilhelm opened the doors in the spring of 1882 to the store that bears his name. The location was the original site of Daniel Myers’ barn. When Wilhelm’s took it over, it was home to the Jacob Baney Horse Hospital, while the two floors upstairs housed the telephone exchange for the new invention, the telephone. On the third floor was a dance hall. In the early 1900’s, the horse hospital became the showroom for the new creation—the automobile.

“Wilhelm’s Hardware has seen two centuries change and many local stores come and go,” says Daniel DeLong, owner and general manager. “We have succeeded because one thing has never changed. . . providing the customer with the goods and services they need at a price that is affordable.”

DeLong takes pride in the fact that he is on a first-name basis with many of the residents of the local community, a skill honed by years of working with a great teacher, his father, Arthur. In 1953, Arthur DeLong purchased the retail store from John Henry Wilhelm’s family.

Under the leadership of the DeLong Family, Wilhelm’s Hardware experienced upsizing, downsizing and right sizing, added product lines and offered many services, including screen repair and tool sharpening. At the height of the store growth, Dan and Arthur managed four different locations, all under the Wilhelm’s moniker. Today, they have two locations, with a second store in Hershey.

A few years ago, the store went through a strategic plan that included a modernization that created a computerized network for inventory and colorful signage, endcaps and displays to make the shopping experience more user-friendly. But two things have remained constant: first-name service and product knowledge from local workers.

It was the chance of seeing an old advertisement in his file drawer that made DeLong wistful. The ad was from 1975, and its focal point was the local heritage and products. Wilhelm’s carries many items bigger stores may not be as interested in carrying, as they may not be the high-volume turnover items. In fact, Wilhelm’s carries the smaller units —why buy a gross of nails when you only need six? In addition to the unique products, Wilhelm’s offers unique services: kerosene heater repair, cut and threading pipe and knife sharpening, among others.

“I realized that this store, the oldest in Lebanon County, celebrates a milestone this year—134 years. We have seen two centuries come and go,” DeLong says. “We are here because of the customer, people who appreciate American-made products and a heritage of hometown service. Our employees and customers live, work, play, and learn in this community and together. We support many community organizations. To everyone who ever entered our doorway, I want to say ‘thank you.’ We are here –and remain here—because of you!”