Gordon’s Hardware remains open and is no longer affiliated with True Value due to the subsidiary’s bankruptcy.

Photo by John Kirkpatrick

Gordon’s Farm and Hardware in Philpot and Gordon’s Hardware in Owensboro are assuring customers that they remain open and independent despite the former True Value location’s recent filing for bankruptcy.

Second-generation owner Scott Gordon said the Philpot store was founded as Gordon True Value Hardware in August 1982, followed by a store in Owensboro in 1985. Gordon noted that while the stores were previously affiliated with True Value, they officially went their separate ways earlier this year.

“We gave up on True Value back in April and stopped buying from them even earlier,” Gordon said. “After COVID, it became clear that they could not meet our supply needs. We wanted to protect our business and our customers, so we moved to a new supplier.”

Gordon explained that True Value’s struggles were evident as the company was acquired by an investment firm in 2018 and was struggling to fill orders.

“They started laying off sales staff, moving all support to email and introducing high fees. I felt it was only a matter of time before they ran into financial problems,” he said.

True Value’s recent bankruptcy filing caused concern among Gordon’s customers, but he assured them that his stores are independently owned and not affiliated with any major chains.

“We’re still here and we’re not going anywhere,” he said. “Despite popular misconception, we have never been part of Ace Hardware. We are proud to be local and independent.”

Gordon emphasized that the stores are well prepared to continue to serve their communities without interruption.