A Town Staple, Reimagined

Little River Hardware & Outdoor Supplies

For decades, Little River Hardware in Mentone has been a place people rely on when something needs fixing, building, or replacing. Since Larry Johnson bought the store last August, he’s been kicking things up a notch. Now operating under a new name, Little River Hardware & Outdoor Supplies, the store reflects both continuity and growth: the same familiar foundation with a new vision for how people live, work, and visit on the mountain.

Johnson purchased the store from close friend Cooper Lindsey after Lindsey mentioned he might be selling. Asked what ultimately led him to take the leap of ownership, Johnson pointed to a simple motivation.

“The goal was to make sure it stayed a local hardware store and has what people want, right here in Mentone. We wanted to make sure we had everything the local community needs; what all the camps need; and what the builders need, because there are a lot of builders in Mentone,” Johnson said. (He and his wife, Sally, own Camp Skyline just down the road.) “I knew whatever we needed at Camp Skyline, probably the rest of town could use as well.”

Expanding What’s on the Shelves

Since taking over, Johnson has focused on restocking core hardware items — “the nuts and bolts” — while also adding entire new categories. That thinking led to expanded hunting, fishing, and outdoor supplies, including ammunition for hunters; Turtlebox outdoor speakers; hammocks; Flexible Flyer snow discs; fishing rods, camping tents and chairs; Fenix headlamps and flashlights; OneLogFire products; and all manner of other items.

An example of a cool new offering is the complete fishing kits. “We would have people come up on the weekends and say, ‘Oh, I didn’t know our cabin was on the river. Do you have a fishing pole?’” Johnson said. The store carries complete fishing needs for catfish and bass, open-face reels, and brands that are familiar favorites. “If you’re taking your kid fishing, it’s Zebco 33. That’s part of everybody’s memories,” Johnson said. “We wanted to have something for them.”

More for Builders

Another key addition has been lumber and other building basics, aimed at helping local contractors and homeowners get the job done.

“There are houses going up everywhere,” Johnson said. “If you’re a sheet or two short of OSB or a two-by-six short, we’re going to have what you need.”

He recalled a conversation with a builder who had to drive off the mountain for just three boards. “He said, ‘I would have paid you whatever you asked just to keep me from driving all the way down there. By the time I went down and came back, it was already getting dark. That put me off a day, just because of three two-by-fours.’”

“We can’t turn back time,” Johnson added. “But we can save you time.”

Shopping Destination

Visually, the store has changed, especially up front. Locals and weekend visitors now encounter birdseed, outdoor gear, jackets, Red Ryder BB guns, Mentone T-shirts, and Little River Hardware & Outdoor Supplies apparel right when they walk in.

There are also a few unexpected favorites, such as Sally’s homemade ice cream, which she creates and stocks in the store seasonally. “The biggest seller by far is Sally’s ice cream,” Johnson said, laughing. [Editor’s note: I took home a half-pint of pumpkin pie ice cream in the freezer case when I paid the store a visit, and it was sheer heaven.]

The warmth of the place harkens to stores of yesteryear, where folks who walk in feel at home. A TV above the battery section shows weather and ball games, with free coffee nearby. “That’s our recharge station,” Johnson said. “You can recharge yourself, and you can get the batteries.” A digital photo frame behind the counter flashes customer photos of outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing and area wildlife, which anyone can submit using the store’s email address on the business cards.

Johnson is full of ideas for tailoring the store to its customers. For instance, on the counter is a new Wish Book, where customers can request items they’d like the store to carry. And kids can build their birthday and holiday wish lists in the book as well.

Day-to-day operations are handled by longtime employees Bootsie McGee and Phil Gamble. Johnson, who is busy year-round with the camp, steps in on delivery days, covering breaks, and spending time talking with customers, especially on busy weekends. “When I bought the store, the first thing I did was look at Bootsie and Phil and say, ‘Will you please stay?’” he said. And they did.

Behind the scenes, Johnson has focused on making the store easier for staff to run. New inventory and ordering systems allow employees to scan items directly from the floor. A new stock room in back makes replenishing the shelves efficient when sales are brisk.

Vision for the Future

Johnson wants to keep an ear to what folks want in a hardware and outdoor store while making the place fun to visit. It’s easy to have fun when you encounter his enthusiasm. Future plans include a remodel of the rear of the building to house an outdoor product demo space, where shoppers can test out the tents and camp chairs and other products. He also plans to offer fly fishing clinics and other interactive experiences.

Fun fact: Johnson recently discovered that his great-grandfather, whom he never had the opportunity to meet, owned a large hardware store in Florida back in the day. Some skills must be hard-wired in the DNA.

Little River Hardware & Outdoor Supplies is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Johnson anticipates opening earlier in the warmer months.Y