PHOTOS AT BOTTOM OF STORY -
Main Street Bluffton’s oldest continually-operating business will change hands on Friday.

Jeff Kantner is selling Family True Value Hardware, 109 N. Main St., to Jim Basinger of Basinger Plumbing and Heating, located at 3090 Road R, Pandora. 

The business will remain a hardware and the business name will continue as Family True Value Hardware, according to Basinger.

Kantner and his father-in-law, Roger Diller, purchased the business in 1984 from Paul and Ray Greding. Diller retired in 1995 and Kantner has operated the hardware on his own since then.

“The time was right (to sell the business),” Kantner told the Icon. “I’d like to thank all our loyal customers who we’ve served on the years. It’s been enjoyable.”

Basinger said that he will be the hardware’s manager. In addition to the hardware, Basinger has owned Basinger Plumbing and Heating for 25 years.

He said that the hardware will continue with its current hours of 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. The business phone will remain 419-358-2866.

“We are looking forward to serving the community as a downtown hardware store,” said Basinger, adding that he is open to suggestions as to what items and services customers may want to see in the store.

The hardware first opened as Greding Hardware in 1912 by Lee Greding. It was originally located where The Curling Iron is today at 129 N. Main St.

Paul and Ray purchased the business from their father in 1963. Their sister, Dorothy, was secretary in the hardware from 1942 to 1963.