Heidricks Hardware, 1508 S. National, was acquired by Waters Hardware on October 15, after 51 years in Fort Scott.
Denny Heidrick will be slowing down and traveling following the acquisition, but his sister, Nancy Heidrick, will stay on for 60-90 days until a new manager is found, helping the transition to Waters Hardware.
The new business has hired all the current staff, four employees.
“They will be adding many improvements,” Nancy Heidrick said. “More merchandise…and the whole inside….will get a facelift.”
“We could not have lasted without the wonderful support of the Fort Scott Community,” she said.
Waters is actively looking for a new manager, Randy Gerken, a part of the Waters Hardware leadership team, said.
Pictured from left to right: The Waters Hardware leadership team, including brothers Bo Gerken, Wes Gerken and Rusty Gerken, alongside their brother-in-law Mike Valent. Photo from the Waters website.
Waters Hardware
Waters Hardware was founded in 1894 in Manchester, KS, and is a family-owned regional home improvement, hardware, and equipment rental chain operating across Kansas and Missouri.
It is an affiliate of Do It Best.
Gerken Rent-All purchased Waters Hardware in 2019.
The new Fort Scott hardware store will focus on paint, appliances, and equipment supplies, Gerken said.