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The doors opened on June 22, 1979. The shelves were stocked with 25,000 different products, from lumber to light fixtures. But the real secret weapon wasn't the inventory—it was the orange apron. They hired passionate plumbers, electricians, and carpenters to walk customers through DIY projects, not just sell them tools. Opening day was… quiet. Add more from the Reddit thread regarding crazy
The Orange Revolution Setting: Atlanta, Georgia — June 1979 But the real secret weapon wasn't the inventory—it
The first few days, customers walked in, looked at the massive, warehouse-style space, and walked right out, confused. They were used to small, dusty hardware corners. "We have to teach them, Artie," Bernie said. The Orange Revolution Setting: Atlanta, Georgia — June
Bernie felt the heat of the Georgia summer, but it was nothing compared to the fire in his gut. Just over a year ago, he and Artie had been unceremoniously fired from their jobs, told they were finished in the hardware business.
"It’s not just a store, it’s a mission, Artie," Bernie said, pacing in front of the cavernous, newly renovated "Treasure Island" building in Atlanta.