Werner Lumber Company

On the left, how the building looked before remodeling. On the right, how the building looks today.

Lindsey Kemmerling, Staffer

Werner Lumber was recently one of the winners of Ace’s 2018 “Coolest Hardware Store.” “We are very proud of the hard work that was put into creating our new store and to be chosen as the 2018 Coolest Hardware store out of over 5,000 Ace stores is a huge accomplishment,” said the manager, Nichole Guigley, 1996 alumna of PGA .   Werner Lumber has been serving the Pine Grove area for over 100 years. The family owned business started as a feed mill in the late 1800s. Then it became the hardware store that we know today. Soon, the store partnered with True Value and that is where a lot of the products were purchased from. In the recent years, there has been some big changes. The change from True Value to Ace Hardware was made and the store moved locations.

There are currently four different departments. The one half of the store is the  Ace side where we sell all of the Ace and hardware related products. The other half of the store is divided into two. Part of it is where you find the rental and outdoor power area. You can purchase or rent products anywhere from excavators to a popcorn machine or a bounce house. The other half is the “contractor side” where you can find employees that can help with and are knowledgeable about everything you may need in the  Yard. Lastly is the Yard. This is outside and is where all the building materials are kept.

I currently work on the “Ace” side. As an employee on this side, I am required to help customers find the items they are looking for as well as work the front counter when needed and helping put products away when the shipment comes in. I like that I can interact with the customers and that my job constantly changes during any shift.  One moment I could be mixing paint (which is so much fun) and the next I could be helping a customer find what they need for their project. This usually happens twice a week unless there is a reason for it to not. My hours are usually 3-5 and I work anywhere from 3-6 days a week. Every other Saturday, I only work 10-1. Werner Lumber Company