June 8, 2009

Wisnom Hardware Receives 2009 Best of San Mateo Award

U.S. Commerce Association’s Award Plaque Honors the Achievement

WASHINGTON D.C., June 8, 2009 -- Wisnom Hardware has been selected for the 2009 Best of San Mateo Award in the Hardware Stores category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2009 USCA Award Program focused on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

About U.S. Commerce Association (USCA)

U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a Washington D.C. based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.

The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.

SOURCE: U.S. Commerce Association

March 27 2009, by Dana Yates, The Daily Journal

Community icon sold.

Nicholas Golsling/Daily Journal Joe Mees helps Heidi Broshaug of Menlo Park pick out door knobs at Wisnom’s in San Mateo.

After more than 100 years in the same family, the Wisnoms have sold its namesake business to another longtime hardware store owner in hopes of keeping the San Mateo institution alive.

Dick and Suzi Nelson recently sold Wisnom’s hardware store to Larry Hassett and his sons, Richard and Eric. Hassett has been in the hardware business since 1957. His family currently owns and operates three other stores — Ocean Shore Hardware in Half Moon Bay, Palo Alto Hardware and Willow Glen Hardware in San Jose.

“I’m excited about this. It’s a unique business and the 103 years of history exists in the walls,” Hassett said.

Over the years, the merchandise has changed. The dynamite and horseshoe nails were replaced with a full line of hardware and builders supplies, an extensive selection of housewares, cookware, garden tools, pet supplies, giftware and a fireplace shop. At one time it even sold and repaired Dodge cars, Hassett said.

Over the years, it has maintained a devotion to customer service.

“When I need something hard to find, I come here,” said San Mateo customer Connie Tilles. “Definitely the best service in the area is here.”

There will be some more changes. In the next few weeks, customers should expect to see extended weekday hours to accommodate people stopping by after work. It will also open its doors on Sundays, Hassett said.

Hassett is a longtime acquaintance of the Nelsons and heard about their desire to retire and sell the business a while back. The Nelsons wanted to sell to someone who would retain current employees and maintain its commitment to customer service. Hassett took the opportunity.

Suzi is a third-generation Wisdom and met her husband, Dick, while the two worked at the store. The couple has children, but decided to sell the store instead of keeping it in the family.

Finding someone with experience was important, Hassett said.

“It’s a hard business to run. It’s not just a McDonald’s you can buy and go to McDonald’s classes to learn to run it,” Hassett said.

Hassett said he’s “not too far from retirement” and his two sons are active members of the business who can keep the stores going — even in the face of big box stores like The Home Depot and Orchard Supply.

“I’m bullish on hardware stores. We’ve successfully competed with big box stores for years,” Hassett said.

What has always set Wisnom’s apart — and will continue to — is its impeccable attention to customer service and ability to provide unique items, Hassett said.

Knowing that he’s keeping a San Mateo institution alive is a bonus, Hassett said.

The Wisnom family helped build San Mateo.

Robert Wisnom arrived in San Mateo in 1868. Over the next several decades, he was involved in the construction of several landmark San Mateo buildings including the Levy Brothers Store on B Street, the St. Matthew Hotel on Second Avenue and a complete block of commercial buildings bounded by Baldwin Avenue, B Street, First and Ellsworth avenues. He also started several businesses, bought property and helped organize San Mateo’s first bank.

The St. Matthew Hotel on Second Avenue used to be the Wisnom Hotel. There is a plaque on the building from the city of San Mateo that commemorates this historic site. Also, if you look up at the very top of the structure you can still see “Wisnom Hotel” in faint lettering across the top.

In 1905, two of his children — Robert James and William — started Wisnom’s Hardware at the corner of Second and Ellsworth avenues, which is now the home of Bay Watch Restaurant. Later it moved to the corner of First Avenue and B Street.

In the 1980s, the store moved to the corner of First Avenue and Delaware Street, where it remains today. A brass ring plaque is on display at each of the buildings.

Suzi Nelson, 67, started doing paperwork at the store when she was 10. Her 71-year-old husband, Dick, began working there after retiring from the corporate world. Suzi slowly grew into the store matriarch.