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When Max and Alta McClellan bought Powder Sales in
Bellingham, Washington back in 1962 - a company that sold
dynamite to loggers, miners and road builders - the
expression "booming business" meant more to them than most
folks. The store's name changed in 1971 to Hardware Sales,
after the business expanded and moved across the street.
After Max's death in 1997, Alta with her son Jerry, daughter LaDonna, and grandsons Rich and Ty,
became the driving force behind Hardware
Sales. And now with Lacey & Brittney on board, Hardware Sales boasts 4 generations currently
working in the family business! |
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Left
to right:
Lacey George, Brittney George, Rich George, LaDonna George,
Alta McClellan, Jerry McClellan and Ty
McClellan
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Every
business likes to say they have good
customer service, but Hardware Sales can support
its claim with surveys and awards ... among them,
we've repeatedly received the Best Customer Service Award in
an annual Bellingham Business
Journal Readers' Choice Awards, plus, we were named 1997 Small Business
of the Year by the Whatcom County Business
Pulse. |
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Over
the years Hardware Sales has worked hard
to become one of the Pacific Northwest's
premier hardware suppliers. Whether
it's plumbing or electrical materials, automotive or garden supplies, house wares or hand
trucks,
hand or power tools, fasteners or fencing, padlocks or paint,
cable or chain - we have them all, and much,
much more! |
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In
addition to specializing in commercial and
homeowner hardware, we have an
Industrial Sales Division that caters to our corporate
customers, a Rental Department which offers
competitive rates on almost everything we sell, and
an Office Furniture Division which carries the
largest selection of used office furniture in the
Pacific Northwest! |
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This
award-winning business now fills several buildings in Bellingham
and offers more than
100,000 items
for sale to everyone from do-it-yourself
homeowners to major contractors. What
started in 1962 with three people, now
has over 100 employees and covers a total
of nearly 60,000 square
feet. |
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In March
of 2003, Alta McClellan, at age 87, received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement
Award from the Whatcom County Business Pulse "for her dedication to
making Hardware Sales such an enduring success." 
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Here are a few of the many testimonials Alta received with
her Lifetime Achievement Award: |
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"Alta McClellan
sets the standard for dedication and commitment in running a successful
business. She's a great role model for all of us."
Pete Kremen,
Whatcom Co. Executive |
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"Hardware
Sales is perhaps the most unique store in Bellingham. Under Alta McClellan's supervision, the store has prospered the old-fashioned
way: by having all the product anyone could want and providing
great customer service."
Mark Asmundson,
Mayor of Bellingham |
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"Hardware Sales is more than an institution, more than a
destination - it's a community treasure. Its long tradition and
its success are based in its family business core and the lady at its
center."
Mike Brennan,
President of the Bellingham/Whatcom
Chamber of Commerce |
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Alta's 90th birthday, February 11, 2006, the occasion
was officially proclaimed
"Alta McClellan Day" by Bellingham Mayor Mark
Asmundson,
in recognition of Alta's contribution to the community.
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Alta, at the age of 91, was
awarded the
Professional Woman of the Year Award
for 2007 from the
Whatcom Women in
Business.
She was also featured in a November 2007 interview that
was published by
the Bellingham Business Journal (which you can read by clicking
the picture below). |
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