Dawes Hardware

Random Thursday thoughts:

Since being a teen I can remember stopping by Dick Russell’s for the daily lunch specials. Chicken & dumplings are the best special, chicken & dressing second best! When we bought Dawes Hardware 6 years ago we had Mr Steve’s favorite restaurant and his friends from Dick Russell’s cater lunch for a retirement celebration in our parking lot and several hundred of you attended, it was a special Saturday. The last 6 years here my family has become friends with Mr. Jimmy, the owner. His crew recently helped us with feeding 2200 school staff. This is their last week open, Mobile is losing a landmark! Our family had lunch there today, got to visit with him, and see the great community support for their final days. They have their whole staff working one 6am-2pm shift til Sunday, it was packed, the wait was minimal, the food was great as always! Wishing him the best in retirement!

Being self employed and working with the public can be exhausting and under appreciated some days, then others are so rewarding! Being a business with knowledgeable and personable staff often gets you the customers that didn’t come to you first, but ended up at your store still seeking a solution and help. Those people need the most of your time and often just need an inexpensive part but when they need something easy like mower blades, pvc, or pine straw they don’t make the same drive to support you, they go to a corporate store.

I say all that to say this: Your support for locally owned, small businesses is appreciated more than you understand! These “shop local” places are slowly disappearing it seems. Your support feeds our employees & their families, helps us give back to the community, and is fueling our growth. The fact Dick Russell’s has weathered 45 years in the restaurant business is a testament to people supporting them and their grit to keep pushing on! It’s hard to fathom we will celebrate 35 years this coming September. If you love the local businesses and the owners that grind it out daily in your community remember to be intentional when spending your money.

-Michael