This 1883 building eventually became Connell Hardware
The History of
Connell Hardware
is a long and interesting story filled with memories of early life on the National Road.
The store, beginning as a sheet metal shop in 1872, is the oldest operating business in Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
In 1922, Nelle and Elzy Connell took over the family business, then called E. S. Osborn. They eventually changed the name to Connell Hardware. Their son, Ralph Connell, shown above, worked in the store and took over the business in 1948, after serving in the Coast Guard during World War II.
Many changes took place in the business after Ralph took over. One of the major ones was from bulk to blister packaging. This required what Ralph called "modern" shelving where packages fit on pegs in a display unit.
In the real early days of the store 90 percent of the business was farm trade. The store sold such things as horse collars, feed, bib overalls, jeans, Dunlop tires, battery radios and school supplies. At one time Connell's was even a John Deere dealer. The walls were lined with new Brown-Manly plowshares and the ceiling was hung with milk pails, lard cans and buckets for sale.
The Hot Stove League
The Hot Stove League and the Loafers' Corner were given national fame in 1979 when a newspaper story about them was syndicated nationwide. Ralph's old fashioned potbellied stove, with an open kettle of water steaming on the top, humidfying the air, was the daily rendezvous for every retired or semi-retired man in the township.
The Hot Stove League, a no-dues guy's club.
There was good companionship to boot, so for many years the back section of Connell Hardware was a no-dues guy's club. With the passing on of so many old-timers, the Loafers' Corner is still there, but the Hot Stove League has slipped into the shadows.
Part of Ralph's antiques collection is also on display in the store.
Shown in this 1978 photo of the Hot Stove League are: Frank Rowland, Ralph Connell, Keith Seeds, W.V. "Pete" Ashton, Frederick "Ted" Kibby, Nelson Smith and Earl Hart.
Part of Ralph's antiques collection is also on display in the store.
Shown in this 1978 photo of the Hot Stove League are: Frank Rowland, Ralph Connell, Keith Seeds, W.V. "Pete" Ashton, Frederick "Ted" Kibby, Nelson Smith and Earl Hart.
It's the good old days we love to remember.
Sitting around a warm potbelly stove, sharing great stories of times gone by.
Ralph and Jean Connell sit by the stove during the "Christmas on the Town" event in 2005.
7345 E Main Steet
Reynoldsburg, OH 43068
(614) 866-6242
Tuesday-Saturday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm