Three generations of hardware
the end of an era and the beginning of a new one
Good evening and happy Friday. As I mentioned in my Tuesday post, the next chapter of The beginning Part 5 will arrive next Friday. If you haven’t had a chance to read the series, you can find Part 1 here and the remainder of the chapters on my site here. In the meantime, I hope you will enjoy this post about Rick’s legacy. And please, if you enjoy, hit the 💚 or restack (arrows forming a circle) to help my posts make their way to new readers, or share it with a friend.
Since May, Rick has been working on a big project: helping to open a new Ace Hardware store in Auburn. His close friends and bosses, Darek and Carrie, purchased an old Rite Aid building, originally a Thrifty Drugstore, and moved their existing Ace Hardware a few blocks over to its new home at 420 Grass Valley Highway in Auburn.
When we visited the building soon after they received the keys, it was apparent how neglected the space had been, understandably, since that Rite Aid ultimately filed for bankruptcy. How many years had they struggled to make ends meet? The air conditioning had long since failed, and the building had a multitude of major issues.
Luckily, the end of an era is also the beginning of a new one.
As a third-generation hardware man, helping with this massive project to bring new life to an old dwelling and create a unique new Ace Hardware has been a fitting project for Rick.
Rick's grandfather, Alphonse Ferrera, traveled from Italy to San Francisco in the late 1800s. He met his bride, Irene, in the early 1900s and years later during the 1920s purchased land on Mission Street and contracted to build what would become A Ferrera and Sons Hardware Store. In the interim years, Alphonse opened and operated Ferrera Hardware with his brother Tony.
During construction of the building, missing Italy, Alphonse decided to pack the family up and move back to Italy. His brother Tony, oversaw the continuation of the construction.
After about a year, Irene urged Alphonse to return to San Francisco. A Ferrera and Sons Hardware opened in 1929. Alphonse and Irene worked side by side, and in time, their sons Frank and Emil began working in the store as well. As a teenager, Rick joined third-generation ranks, enjoying the gift of working alongside his granny, father, and uncle. Eventually, Alphonse passed, and in time, his Uncle Emil retired, leaving Rick and his father, Frank, working together in the last years.
Unfortunately, Frank passed away at 64, leaving Rick to run the store alone just about the time the big chain hardware stores were arriving, creating a new competitive atmosphere in the sales arena. The neighborhood was also changing, and an ever-decreasing sales profit forced Rick to close the store, a bittersweet but wise decision. Using the space as a rental instead proved to be the right move.
Rick has worked since managing Home Depots and, in his senior years, has made a few private hardware store owners very grateful that they were lucky enough to hire him. Darek will likely be the last store owner Rick will work for, which makes this last hurrah so sweet in nature, a coming full circle for Rick to help his friend and boss open a present-day store that mimics the grandeur of A Ferrera and Son's Hardware so many years ago. No doubt, Alphonse, Frank, and Emil have been observing each step from the heavens, watching their boy pass his knowledge to the young newcomer, Darek. They'd be hard-pressed to admit it, but the newcomer has had some great ideas of his own.
And I am quite certain they celebrated from above this last weekend as the ribbon was cut in the early morning hours on Saturday, celebrating the Grand Opening of Auburn's newest Ace Hardware. The store bustled with excited patrons, and the sense of community celebration was palpable. Balloons lined the entrance and rose from the rooftop. Tables were strewn with exciting giveaways, coloring and face-painting for little ones, and delicious pulled pork sandwiches welcomed new and old patrons alike. It was a day to remember.
Feeling nostalgic and grateful that the end of an era is also the beginning of a new one.
Cheers friends.
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Again what a nice story, nice to hear Ricks beginnings …
What a great story. My grandparents had a "Mom and Pop Grocery Store" on Hugo Street in San Francisco. My father worked there for a number of years until he went to work for Oroweat Bread. They did what Rick's family did by renting then selling. So much history. Best of luck with the new adventure.