New owners take helm at True Value Hardware

WINSTED — After 25 years on Main Street, True Value is changing hands and names. Carl’s True Value will now be called True Value of Winchester, with three new owners at the helm.

Jim Jackson, Brian Kalay and Ken Johnson took over ownership of True Value from Carl Muller of Torrington at exactly 12:01 a.m. Nov. 25 and are already working hard. None is a stranger to the hardware store, but ownership is a new venture.

Jackson has been an integral part of the store since April 1990, when he was hired as Muller’s assistant manager. At that time the store was at 406 Main St., where Kathy’s Cupboard is now. Jackson intended the job to be a short-term gig.

"I was in between jobs and I didn’t feel like driving to Danbury and Waterbury for work. It was kind of a stopover. I just haven’t found the ambition to move on," Jackson joked.

In 1995 Jackson was promoted to manager, a title he kept until two weeks ago when he became the president of True Value of Winchester.

Joining him as owner is Brian Kalay, a longtime friend and the former owner of Home Again Antiques, which is now closed. Kalay and Jackson worked together years before Jackson started at True Value, but kept in touch over coffee and visits at the store. Kalay even worked for Jackson on and off over the years as an employee of Carl’s.

Ken Johnson rounds out the new ownership trio. Johnson, a Winsted native, has family roots in town going back 250 years. His grandfather was the original owner of the land now known as Platt Hill State Park.

Johnson ran a successful home remodeling business, Kenneth R. Johnson Remodeling, for more than 22 years and brings a vast knowledge of home repair and customer service to the business.

While the three, at one time or another, had conversations separately and together about taking ownership of the store or some other business venture, it wasn’t until last April that a plan was put together and Jackson approached Muller about buying the hardware store. Jackson said the store was offered to him more than 10 years ago.

"It’s been open to me for when I was ready and when I felt that I could do it," said Jackson. "The option had been there. I wasn’t sure that Carl was ready to sell or willing to sell, but he’s been open to the idea and helpful through the process."

Also a big help was a group called SCORE, a group of former executives that assists small businesses and companies with business planning.

"We had no idea that a business plan was so complex," Kalay said.

Now that the planning is complete and the store is officially theirs, the new owners said that for the most part True Value will stay the same. However, they have some minor but important changes planned for the near future.

For the winter, the hours will be shorter, closing at 6:30 p.m. rather than 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. Saturday the store will still be open until 5 p.m. and Sunday until 4 p.m.

The store, which will offer new merchandise, including boating and fishing equipment, will also become a sports outfitter, offering special orders on uniforms and other sporting apparel.

"Our main purpose is to help people," said Jackson. "Our main focus is homeowners and to help them maintain and service their homes.

"For the moment, we will continue to do what we are doing without changing our focus. We will continue to be members of True Value and continue to have the buying power of the True Value co-op," he added.

Most importantly, the trio said they all plan to be active owners and have a strong presence in the store, since excellent customer service is their primary objective.

"We’ll offer one-on-one assistance to serve our customers," said Johnson.

Two new managers will take over for Jackson. Taylor Bridges, who has worked at the store for six years, was promoted to manager and Ashley Paden, a five-year employee, is the new assistant manager.