 |
Events | History | Fun Facts | Press Release | Photos | Savings | Location | Home
Wisnom's Celebrates
100th Anniversary
Quality products, personal service and community support keeps independent family-run business alive
"You need to know your purpose. For our store, that purpose has always been to serve the community and provide quality products that people really need," says fourth-generation Wisnom, Allison Wisnom, co-store manager and buyer for Wisnom Hardware, a classic American success story her family has owned and operated in downtown San Mateo for the last 100 years. "It's not easy to be an independent family store in this day and age," she says. "The reason our business has survived is because we have created a rapport with the community and our customers know we have what they need. Without their support, we wouldn't be here."
"Where you choose to shop really is important," continues Suzi Wisnom Nelson, granddaughter of the store's founder, Robert Wisnom. Nelson owns and operates the store together with her husband, Dick Nelson. "If people don't shop at independents like us, we can't stay open," she says. "That's why we're so grateful to our loyal customers. In return, we provide a wide selection of unique items and personal service you'll never find at a warehouse store."
This simple formula — providing quality products and personal service — has sustained the family business through a century of change. To celebrate this 100-year milestone, Wisnom's is hosting a week of in-store events beginning Monday, November 7, 2005. Each day the store will feature a different theme. The themes range from "Try It, You'll Like It" Day — an opportunity for customers to get hands-on experience with some of Wisnom's most popular do-it-yourself merchandise—to "Home Security Day," which gives visitors a chance to enjoy store discounts on earthquake and fire preparedness products. Saturday, November 12, 2005 is the official anniversary celebration day and customers can stop by to enjoy special sales, cake and punch.
"People also want to shop at Wisnom's because they know us and because it is a fun place to shop," Suzi Nelson continues. Many employees have worked at the store for decades and are on a first-name basis with their customers. "We also know how to use our products," she says. "If you come in here to buy a tool for your garden or a gadget for your kitchen, someone in the store can actually show you how to use it. Likewise, you can take a home improvement challenge to our trained professionals in the hardware department and they'll help you find a solution."
Facing challenges seems to be genetic for Wisnoms, as reflected by the family history. Patriarch Robert Wisnom arrived in the United States in 1868—a penniless, 21-year-old Irish carpenter with a grammar school education. Through hard work and sweat equity, he started several businesses, bought property, and helped organize San Mateo's first bank. In 1905, two of his eight children, Robert and younger brother William, along with Robert Bonner founded Wisnom-Bonner Hardware which has went on to survive the San Francisco earthquake, two world wars, a depression and the onslaught of competition from high-volume hardware giants.
Over the years, the merchandise has changed. The dynamite and horseshoe nails are gone. But the store still carries a full line of hardware and builder's supplies, and has added an extensive selection of housewares, cookware, garden tools, pet supplies, giftware and a fireplace shop. "But service is still key to our business," says Allison Wisnom. "And our store is still stocked with things that people really need and use."
"This country was built on small, individual businesses by people like my grandfather," says Nelson. "Now we call then entrepreneurs. But back then, they were just men and women who worked hard and had the courage to strike out on their own."
|
 |
