North Tonawanda History Museum © Wagenshuetz Hardware, Inc.

Wagenschuetz Hardware and Wagenschuetz Building – 230 Oliver Street

The Wagenschuetz Hardware buildings, the main store building and the barn, were constructed in 1883. The Wagenschuetz Hardware business was begun by Fred F. Wagenschuetz and his son, Fred F. Wagenschuetz, Jr., in 1893 as F. F. Wagenschuetz & Son, the first hardware store in North Tonawanda, and was located at 246 Oliver Street. John Frank and John Krathwol were the first tinsmiths employed in the store, and were artists in making cooking utensils, stove pipe, and many other items right in the store. The building was owned by Mrs. F. Bishop. It was occupied by Hedrich Jewelers in 1893 prior to becoming a hardware store. Mr. Tully, a grocer next door to the business was the first customer in 1893.

In 1901, the business moved into the 230 Oliver Street building, then known as the Rosebrock Building. The hardware store was on the north side of the building and Errick Bicycle Shop was on the south side. Shortly after they moved there, the hardware store took over the entire building and added Fred Engel, a plumber, to its staff. Deliveries were made by horse and wagon. In 1913, the senior Mr. Wagenschuetz died and business continued with his son, Fred Wagenschuetz, Jr. in charge. Fred Wagenschuetz, Jr., was one of North Tonawanda’s eight Common Council members and served the community through his business. He later became president of the Common Council.

In 1918, the business was re-organized and incorporated. At that time, a long and faithful employee since 1894, Louis A. Wilke, was admitted to the corporation. Mr. Wagenschuetz was President, Christina Wagenschuetz was Vice President, Mr. Wilke was Treasurer, and his wife, Ida S. Wilke, was Secretary. With the formation of the corporation, the horses were put to rest and the first auto truck was put into service for deliveries.

On May 9, 1923, Mr. Wagenschuetz, Jr., passed away and Christina Wagenschuetz became President. The business continued under the management of Mr. Wilke. His employees were William Jackson and Melvin F. Wagenschuetz, son and grandson of the original owners. Christina Wagenschuetz died in 1944. Mr. Jackson died in 1953 and Mr. Wilke in 1959. When Mr. Wilke died in 1959, he left the store to Melvin F. Wagenschuetz, a World War II veteran and President of the corporation, and Mrs. Myra W. Rumbold, Vice President and Secretary. They took over the management of the business.

Paul A. Rumbold, nephew of Mr. Wagenschuetz, had become a full-time employee back in 1954 after returning from military service. In October 1973, Mr. Wagenschuetz passed away. Mr. Rumbold took over the operation of Wagenschuetz Hardware, Inc., along with his son, Paul A. Rumbold, Jr. They represented the 4 th and 5 th generations of the family.

A 1973 newspaper article noted that Mrs. Myra W. Rumbold was present Vice President and Secretary of the business. The sales force at that time was Paul A. Rumbold, former North Tonawanda Mayor, Michael Piskor, and Paul Rumbold, Jr. In October 1974, Mr. Wagenschuetz passed away. Mr. Rumbold took over the operation of Wagenschuetz Hardware, Inc., with his son, Paul A. Rumbold, Jr. Corporate minutes in 1973, when it celebrated its 80 th anniversary, stated, “Our prices are right and consistent with quality goods. Our service is the best and always at your disposal, so place your hardware business and confidence in the hands of Wagenschuetz Hardware, Inc., and be assured of the best.”

Photo below: The O. F. D'I. Loggia Q. Garibaldi 1105, was commonly called the Italian Social Club. It met on the third floor of the F. F. Wagenschuetz Hardware building at 230 Oliver Street. Dominick Surage is 8th from the right in the first row, and a Mr. Turchiarelli is 5th from the right. Please contact the Museum if you can identify any of the others in the photo. Part of the Wagenschuetz sign is visible at the right. The building, now neglected and unused, housed the first hardware store in the city, established in 1894.

In order to survive and be more competitive in the hardware business, in September 1986, Wagenschuetz Hardware, Inc., joined the American Hardware Group, which then became Servistar. The hardware store remained small in order to better serve the buying public. They carried a complete line of hardware, along with glass, plumbing supplies, and paint. They celebrated 100 years of family-owned service from April 12-24, 1993, with a 2-week celebration, topped off by a Super Saturday finale on April 24. The Historical Society of the Tonawandas had a display of cooperage tools used in barrel making in one of the store display windows during this anniversary.

The Rumbolds operated the store until October 2, 1999. They sold the building in October 2000, ending a reign of 106 years as a staple in the Tonawandas. For generations, residents and business owners of the Tonawandas could stroll into Wagenschuetz Hardware and a member of the family would help them locate the odd-ball items they needed.

Richard Bronstein handled the auction sale of the building. A Western New York paint and wallpaper dealer purchased the building for $15,000, but would not release his name to the public. The building had been assessed at $46,300 at the time. A wide range of items were sold in the auction, including bolts, nuts, padlocks, screws, twine and approximately 135 gallons of paint for $1 a gallon. The store had been known for its rare items. One of the more popular oddities were the chowder pots. Those were long gone before the auction even started.