Though somewhat unceremoniously, the 80s seem to be upon us — not only temperature-wise but as my own countdown of the years marches on. Yes, that annual celebration of birthdays is now only weeks away, and I don’t dread it as much as having to crank our air-conditioning on once again.
Time for my regular get-together with Gary McKay.
Gary, you see, is my go-to guy around this time every year, not only because his hardware store is stocked with all sorts of cool (get it?) ideas for combating summer’s inevitable heatwave but for commiserating about ways to stay as comfortable as possible when the thermometer sneaks into the teens, as it always does.
This from a guy like me who spent his teen-plus years playing volleyball on the sandy expanses of California’s South Bay oceanfront and hanging out with equally aimless beach bums. Well, we weren’t completely unproductive: We did find time for a beer or two (or more?). Geez, how did we ever survive the rigors of those days?
So back to Gary McKay.
With what I gather was a more productive expenditure of his — shall we call them formative — years, Gary will happily share the ups-and-downs of what adds up to nearly a half century, time that has not only helped him create a popular go-to store for all things hardware-related but made it possible for him to get enjoyment from going to work every day.
The store’s growth was typical of any new endeavor but has accelerated over time, McKay says. “We’re never going to be Rockefellers or anything, but it’s a good living for us.
“And what makes it great is we get to do it as a family.”
During the summer of 2018, McKay, who also has been a traveling hardware wholesaler, owner of a landscaping business and a volunteer firefighter, bought and reopened a hardware store on the southeastern corner of Ray and Rural roads, now McKay’s True Value.
“It was natural to do this,” McKay said. “It’s in our blood. I’ve tried to go away from the business but I keep getting sucked back into it.
“I figured I might as well stay.”
Shortly after McKay opened his store, he convinced his wife and son, who was managing a pizza shop, to join him, making it a three-generation enterprise. Four if you count Sonny, the store’s official greeter. Tail wag optional.
McKay senior, who grew up working in his father’s store in South Haven, Michigan, found his way to the Valley in 2002. His brother, Barry, already was here and the owner of two hardware stores in north central Phoenix.
As to the Chandler store’s growth in the years since then, McKay says he knew at start-up that the area was ripe for a mom-and-pop hardware operation run by knowledgeable staff and dedicated to providing one-on-one customer service that most big-box competitors typically can’t provide.
In the start-up days, while still in the wholesale business, McKay called on the previous owner. He did a demographic analysis. He knew the area was balanced with a good mix of do-it-yourselfers and those who need guidance with home projects. He beefed up the grilling and outdoor department and the fastener department and created a made-to-order screen department.
Now, years later, the response has been overwhelming and favorable, McKay said.
“We wanted to do a few things over the top,” he added.
He loves working with customers, gratified by stories like the elderly lady who’d lost her husband. She brought in cookies and brownies after he told her the steps involved in fixing leaky toilet, and she went home and did it herself.
“I enjoy those kinds of rewards,” he said. “I don’t consider it working. I consider that I’m retired and get to help people.”
“My brother and I always told my boys what my dad told us: Hardware is going to be one job that you get paid to get educated in. You’re going to take away from this more than you ever give to it, because you’ll learn things you’re going use the rest of your life.”
Age, Valley summers and the Big 80s notwithstanding.
McKay’s True Value is at 4939 W. Ray Road, Chandler. Please send your comments to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines at https://www.yourvalley.net/civility-checklist.
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