‘Gr8 Comeback’: Family-owned hardware store celebrates milestone, goes ‘Back to the Bricks’
ZIONSVILLE, Ind. (WISH)– The Akard True Value Hardware store has been a staple in the Zionsville community for more than 65 years. The family was ready to celebrate the store’s anniversary in May 2020, by coming “Back to the Bricks.”
“Sixty-five years in business and this spot that we’re standing is literally where we started,” Leigh Ann Akard said. “We couldn’t help but call it Back to the Bricks, because we came back to the bricks, back to our roots, back to where we started to come back and celebrate a year that’s been a little odd.”
Instead of letting the milestone pass during a hectic 2020, she said they decided to make it a “65 plus one” celebration and the family’s shop on main street would be a place for local artisans to shine.
“We have a selection of items at our Boone Village location and downtown and we’ve also teamed up with some local people,” Akard said. “One, for example, is Inga’s Popcorn. She was a staple here in town for a long time and when we decided to pop up here we thought it would be fun to have her pop up with us.
Also featured in Back to the Bricks – Akard Village Hardware shop is Be Happy Peanut Butter, Broad Ripple Candy Company and Watch Us Farms, which works with adults who have special needs. Akard is hoping the store’s energy adds to a renewed excitement for shopping local in Zionsville
“We just want to continue the excitement and the fun of the village,” she said. “Everybody’s down here having a good time, they’ve gone out to dinner, they’re with their friends, they’re shopping. We want to add to that, we want to be part of the party, adding a unique selection, a wide variety, unique and affordable is our goal.”
Locations
- Akard True Value Hardware: 25 Boone Village
- Back to the Bricks – Akard Village Hardware: 120 South Main Street