Home to just 15,000 people, Oakhurst, California, is a close-knit community near the gateway to Yosemite National Park. What it may lack in size, the Oakhurst community more than makes up for in spirit. That’s thanks in large part to small businesses like third-generation hardware store True Value Home Center.
“Especially in a small town like we’re in here, it’s less about doing business and more about building a relationship with the people you see every day,” says Nash Bryant, marketing specialist for True Value Home Center. “Being able to give back to them lets them know that you care about their well being.”
No matter what his title says, Nash isn’t just a marketing specialist at the local STIHL outdoor power equipment dealer and hardware center. He’s also part of the store’s third generation. True Value Home Center opened in 2007 as an outgrowth of the local H & L Lumber company started in 1986 by Jerry and Glenda Bryant. Today, the lumber company continues to operate, and the hardware store is owned by the second generation of Bryants, including husband-and-wife team Paul and Theresa Bryant and Paul’s brother, Alan Bryant. The third generation — including Nash, Alan’s son — are also involved in the family business.
“We all grew up here, we all went to schools up here,” explains Paul. “This is a small, close-knit community, so we support the community because the community supports us.”
In 2015, the Bryant family began sponsoring a local Big Brothers Big Sisters organization, bringing the nationwide nonprofit to the Oakhurst community. Since that time, True Value Home Center has hosted an annual free soccer clinic. The clinic brings local children together with the Fresno Fuego, a nearby professional soccer team, for free training and games.
More recently, True Value Home Center has also begun supporting Relay for Life. The hardware store earlier this year held a promotion that encouraged customers to purchase purple buckets for $5. The $5 went directly to the local Relay for Life chapter, while the customer earned 20 percent off any items that could fit in the bucket.
“We’re seeing people walk around town with Relay for Life buckets now, and it’s really something special,” Nash says.
The family business also hosts a weekly farmers market throughout the spring and summer. Each Thursday night from April through September, the True Value Home Center parking lot fills with local vendors.
“With the farmers market, local people can come out and sell whatever they grow or make,” Nash explains.
Besides the farmers market, bucket sale and soccer clinic, True Value Home Center organizes regular workshops and classes to give customers an opportunity to learn more about gardening or do-it-yourself projects. In its small town, True Value Home Center finds no shortage of ways to make a big difference. Learn more about True Value Home Center at www.truevaluehomecenter.com.
Read more about Big Brothers Big Sisters, Indie Acts of Kindness, Relay for Life, STIHL Dealer.
