George Shirey leaned on his cash register at the True Value Hardware store and waved at a man passing by his Clarion business. The man smiled and waved back.
After being closed for a year, the Main Street store he has operated for 50 years has reopened – although with limited hours.
“Being off was kind of nice, but I missed the people,” the 89-year-old Shirey said.
Shirey said many of his customers were “aggravated” when he closed.
“They had to go somewhere else and that was inconvenient for them,” he said.
It was also difficult for Shirey, who went the entire time of the shutdown without any revenue but still had to pay the bills.
“We made it through while others didn’t,” he said. “It was hard for everyone.”
Shirey said there have been a few problems with supply since he reopened.
“A lot of our suppliers have problems meeting orders,” he said. “The shut-down hurt us all.”
“We are fortunate they came back,” Shirey said. “I have been told that other places are having trouble finding people to work.”
In his 50 years in business, Shirey said he has not seen anything like the pandemic.
“I don’t think anyone has seen anything like this,” he said. “There have been recessions before, but nothing like this. The store has been pretty good to my family. I put my daughters through Penn State debt free.”
The phone rang and Shirey answered. It was another old customer calling to wish him well.
Hanging up, Shirey smiled and said, “It’s good to be back.”