Sanders Hardware Hank ... Early, Iowa - Google image of 2021?

[bradross]

Hello everybody and particularly to Maytag wringer washer fans!

Does anybody know the status of the former business, Sanders Hardware Hank? Google images last captured a photo in August 2021, which still shows the shop and yard FULL of old machines.

Dick Sanders died in 2017, and his wife Karleen died in 2020. I had the privilege of meeting Dick at his store in 2012, at which time I bought my first antique Maytag model 30 wringer washer.

Google shows the business to be closed permanently, although a phone number is still listed (I tried, but no answer.)

 

[swestoyz]

Not much different - as of June 2022

Earlier this summer I took my family out to Okoboji, IA to visit relatives, and along the route west and north from eastern Iowa we stopped by what was left of Sander’s Hardware in Early.

I’ve probably visited there about a half dozen times since 2006, with 2018 being the last time I was in the store.

Story has it his son has cleaned out the offsite storage warehouse within the last year, and most of what was outside the store itself is gone. Looking through the windows it appears that the showroom is in even more disarray than it was when Dick was alive. Several items inside the store, along the US 71 windows, are gone from their long term resting places for the last several decades. The coppertone A700 that was along that window row was sadly missing.

I did give it some thought on reaching out to his son to see about going through the store for one last go round, but I haven’t had the time.

Ben[this post was last edited: 10/24/2022-21:58]

A Beautiful Day to visit Early, Iowa

Evening folks, Today was an unseasonably warm day in all of Iowa, and quite beautiful too! I headed west from Waterloo about 8 this morning and met up with Greg at Sanders Hardware in Early, IA. While most on this list know about this wonderful store and a few have been lucky enough to...

www.automaticwasher.org

 

[bradross]

Thanks for the reply, Ben. I noticed Dick's son, Stuart, has a listed phone number and address in Nevada, IA. I tried to call the other day, but no answer. Please let me know if you reach him, and what he has to say. Thanks in advance!

 

[bradross]

Updated street view photo for Dec.2022

Further to this thread, has anybody recently been in touch with Dick's son, Stuart? It appears the remains of the inventory is somewhat organized - at least from the looks of the street view on Google maps for December 2022.

I see there is also a phone number in the window to make appointments.