Glenwood Hardware changing hands – the end of an era and the beginning of another

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By Missy Klatt

GLENWOOD CITY — After 25 years of serving Glenwood City and the surrounding area for all their hardware needs, Wayne Bundy has decided to retire from the business. New owners Sean and Miranda Lybert officially took over on October 1st.

The Begining

It all started in September of 1997 when Wayne and his wife, Sharon opened the Hardware Store on the corner of Oak and 2nd Streets in what used to be Ormson’s grocery store. Prior to opening the store Wayne worked for Con-Agra for 14 years and before that he worked for a little while for John Steffen in his hardware store.

The little bit of time that he worked for the Steffens, Wayne really liked it which inspired him to try his hand at the hardware business after Steffens closed their store. “I was kind of tired of factory life”, Wayne also remarked.

Reminiscing about the last 25 years Wayne comments that his kids grew up up in the store, they were six and four when the store opened. He goes on to say that Melanie loved working there and Sarah didn’t. He also fondly remembers the 14 high school kids that have worked for him over the years. He has kept a bulletin board in the back, by his office, with all their pictures on it. One of the last high schoolers to work for him, Alex Brigham, ended up staying on full time and will continue working for the Lyberts.

For Wayne it was always special when they would come back and stop in and visit.

For the near future Wayne will be in retirement mode, catching up on all those projects that have been neglected over the years while Sharon continues to work.

As for the past 25 years, Wayne remarks that he wouldn’t have done it six days a week and for a while seven days a week if he didn’t enjoy it. “You either got to be nuts or enjoy it, one of the two”, Wayne jokes.

The Future

Sean and Miranda Lybert are very excited to be taking over the Glenwood Hardware Store. Already business owners, they have been running Glenwood Bait and Bow out of their home, just outside of town. Sean stated that when they saw that Wayne was retiring, they thought it would give them the opportunity to expand both the bait and bow shop and the hardware store. 

They will be moving Glenwood Bait and Bow to the Hardware store. Besides what they carry now they will be expanding on hunting and outdoor equipment. Sean states that other hardware stores that also offer sporting goods do quite well.

As far as the hardware end of things, everything that the store does and carries will remain the same. They won’t be getting rid of any products or services. They will also be keeping the same store hours that locals have become accustomed to.

As for the future, the Lyberts plan on doing some remodeling in the basement and having the majority of the sporting goods and archery down there. They are also hoping to get two 20 yard indoor range lanes put in down there as well. While they plan to get started on this as soon as possible it may take a little while for the 1887 basement to be brought up to today’s standards.

Besides Sean, Miranda and Alex they are also bringing on board a friend of theirs to fill out the sales force. Wayne’s sister, Patty, who has been working there of late will be going back to her dog business full time. Also helping or hindering as Sean jokes will be their four children who will have the chance to “grow up” at the store like Wayne’s girls did.