Ted and Cynthia Edgerle, owners
212 North Douglas Ave.
Downtown Ellsworth
785.472.3202

Ellsworth has a long history of continuously supporting a downtown, locally-owned hardware store. The Ellsworth hardware business was started by T.G. O’Donnell in 1899 and remained in O’Donnell hands for many years. After T.G.’s death, the business fell into the hands of his three unmarried daughters; Kathleen, Marion and Eleanor. Eventually they found it too difficult to continue operating the business and it was sold to John and Carla Freisen.

After many years of operation, the Freisens sold the business to Don and Carol Panzer who added the True Value line to expand the advertising capability and benefit Ellsworth shoppers.

Pete and Alice Donley and Ted and Cynthia Edgerle purchased the business from Panzer several years ago, moved the across the street to increase their square footage of display space and expanded the modern concept of an old-fashioned, locally-owned hardware store. We miss the well-worn wooden floors and pot-bellied stove that warmed our backsides on cold winter days, but many new, good things are in place in their present location so one tends to forget the days of yore.

Ted and Cynthia Edgerle are the present owners of True Value Hardware.

You can find almost every variety of nut, bolt and nail, doodads like cork bottle stoppers, plumbing and electrical supplies, hunting gear and equipment, paint, yard and garden equipment and supplies, small appliances, household items and a wide variety of gifts.

Ted and his son, Matt, are certified, small engine mechanics and are on duty full time. They run the back end of the store where there is a huge service and repair business. Breakdowns in equipment are a common occurrence and in small towns repairmen are hard to find. They service what they sell and a whole lot more. They provide exceptional service throughout the store.

One of the most unique and personalized services they offer at Tru Value is their wedding registry. They put the bride and groom’s names and date of the wedding on the store window. Inside they place a large rack containing all the bridal registry items near their front door so that you can immediately find items to choose for gifts. It is one of the best of its kind.

They are a full service store, and always have been throughout their history. If they don’t have what you want, they can find it for you. They gift wrap, deliver and serve as personal shoppers for customers. We’re very fortunate to have such a wonderful store in Ellsworth and it brings in customers to Ellsworth from all over the area.