Derek Bedford, Richard Cote, Shakar Shavazz, and Tom Newcomb gather in front of Shaws Hardware. Photo: Angelina Keizer
By Angelina Keizer
Wilbur G. Shaw Hardware on Main Street in Sanford isn’t just any ordinary store. It is the second-oldest surviving business in the city—beaten only by the Batchelder Brothers Insurance agency up the street, which opened in 1872.
The store first opened its doors a block away near City Hall sometime in the early 1900s (even the family can’t nail down the exact year), eventually relocating to its current spot at 901 Main St. The hardware store has lived through world wars and the Great Depression, and it’s still standing.
After a run of 13 years with 60-plus-hour weeks, Richard Cote has hung up his hammer as the business owner for a new chapter: retirement. He emphasizes how he certainly won’t miss repairing screens. “I’ve done enough of those to last me a lifetime,” Cote, 60, jokes.
Cote started at Shaws in December 1985 as a 19-year-old sales associate. Over the years he worked his way up as the first ever non-family owner, after family owner Stephen Shaw handed the reins over to him in 2013.
It was more than a job for Cote, who smiled while remarking on what he’ll miss most. “Obviously the people,” he said. “For the most part, the customers are just wonderful. You build solid relationships being here that long.”
As Cote spoke, a customer walked in. Shakir Shavazz didn’t come in looking to purchase a hammer. He’s famous in the store’s lore for coming in specifically to grab a cold root beer out of the fridge.
“I tell you the truth, he’s a good man. But it’s an insult to just say that,” Shakir says, pointing at Cote. “He’s like a brother. There’s been many times I’ve been down and I come over here and these guys, all of them, bring me back to life. I was sad when I came here and he told me he was leaving. I thought it was a joke.”
Shavazz has lived in Sanford for about 21 years and has been stopping in Shaws almost weekly. “If it wasn’t for people like him, I don’t know how I could hold on for so long,” he said.
And just as quickly, he turns to new owner, Derek Bedford, “Now Derek? He’s unbelievable, too. I mean really, where do you get these people from?”
Cote wasn’t looking for just any buyer to take the keys. As a Christian, he said he was looking for a “man of faith.”
“It was important to me that whoever took over would not take advantage of the customers,” Cote said. “Don’t sell them what they don’t need. If we can save their money we do, don’t sell them up.”
This was important for him to see these traits in the next owner, too. “I was hoping for someone that would carry on the same values: integrity, a community involvement feel, a desire to improve the world we’re in—and not just get all we can from it,” he said.
He found that in Bedford, who is there now full time as the new business owner with help from three part-time employees. “I’m a firm believer that you take care of your employees right,” he says. “I want them to be happy and motivated. It’s my job to keep that going.”
Bedford didn’t walk in as a corporate raider. He walked in carrying a package as a UPS driver who used to drop off packages at the store. Over 11 years of dropping off supplies, a friendship blossomed with Cote. About a year ago, Cote asked if he’d ever be interested in taking over.
Bedford, a serial entrepreneur who ran an interior design firm and organic skin care business, took it into some serious consideration.
With degrees in photography and art from the Maine College of Art, Bedford strives for change that fits his future visions for the store. According to Cote, “He sees things differently.” While he vows to keep the “comfortable” vibe that customers seek, he has ideas for how to improve the place.
“In the future? A hot dog and coffee bar,” Bedford says, wasting no time. “An all-made-in-Maine section too. Custom framing.”
Cote offered him one piece of practical advice—to watch for unnecessary purchase of products that can be brought into the store. Though he hopes the store will stay the same, Cote said Bedford has the ability to “take it to the next level.”
After Cote stepped down, employee Tom Newcomb set up a thank you card station so those who he had left a positive impact on may send their best wishes for his retirement. Newcomb jumped in to joke that the moment Cote hired him was the store’s proudest moment.
Cote may have stopped repairing screens at Shaws, but his involvement never really left as he still lives in the community. Retirement is his main focus right now, but he still does some work on the side, such as his newest project which is buying the house next to the store and renovating it for rentals. As for afterwards, Cote isn’t quite sure what the rest of his retirement life will look like.
And now, when Bedford hands a customer a hammer—or a cold root beer—he isn’t just closing a sale. He’s keeping a promise.
“I want them to feel like family. There are so many generations that have come here, we know a lot of the community,” he said. “If they feel like family and feel comfortable then I know I’m doing my job right.”
The post New Owner, Same Family Feel at Shaws Hardware appeared first on Sanford Springvale News.
