Salt Shaker Press

Marlinton Store Defies Time: A Century of "Fair Dealing" at C.J. Richardson's

MARLINTON, W.Va. — In an age of digital retail and big-box efficiency, C.J. Richardson Hardware and Furniture stands as a defiant monument to doing business "the old way." For 84-year-old owner Charles McElwee "Googie" Richardson III, there is simply no point in changing a formula that has survived for over a century.

“It was built to do business 100 years ago,” Googie says of the three-story landmark on Eighth Street. “We’ve been advised not to modernize it; it might do more harm than good.” ¹

This philosophy permeates every inch of the 12,000-square-foot building, which has remained largely unchanged since Googie’s grandfather, C.J. Richardson, moved the business there in 1905 to be near the C&O Railroad depot. ² To this day, the store operates without a computerized inventory system. A half-dozen clerks hustle across the pine floors, using pens, paper, and landline telephones to manage orders, while a hardbound journal at the counter tracks special requests—a system unbroken for 104 years. ³³³³³³³³³

A Legacy Built on Rail and Timber

The story of Richardson’s began in 1901, when C.J. Richardson, an Alabama-born mining engineer seeking a healthier climate after contracting malaria, established a hardware business in Marlinton. ⁴⁴⁴⁴An avid outdoorsman, C.J. was drawn to the region's fishing and hunting as much as its business potential. ⁵⁵⁵⁵

The store’s golden era ran from 1910 to the mid-1930s, fueled by the region's logging boom. ⁶ Googie recalls stories of a time when the ceiling hung heavy with harnesses and horse collars for draft horses. “They sold a set of harnesses every day,” he says. “Now we never get a call for them.” ⁷

Freight trains once arrived four times a week, unloading boxcars directly into the store. ⁸ Today, the tracks are gone, but the store remains a community hub. It has weathered economic shifts, the arrival of radio and television, and devastating floods in 1985 and 1996 that submerged the first floor and destroyed merchandise. ⁹⁹⁹⁹⁹⁹⁹⁹⁹⁹⁹⁹⁹⁹⁹⁹

Family and "Fair Dealing"

The business has passed through four generations of Richardsons. Googie, who took over in 1975 after his father fell ill, serves as the "CEO," handling paperwork in a cramped office under the stairs. ¹⁰¹⁰¹⁰¹⁰¹⁰¹⁰¹⁰¹⁰His son, Terry, represents the fourth generation, working the floor and continuing the family tradition. ¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹

“We’ve always been honest, fair-minded, and fair dealing,” Googie says. “I think honesty has been one of the biggest factors [in the store’s longevity].” ¹²

The store is also known for its loyal staff, many of whom have served for decades. Ira “Buck” Turner, a clerk for over 30 years, is described as a "local legend" for his encyclopedic knowledge of hardware. ¹³¹³¹³¹³

Traditions That Endure

Walking into C.J. Richardson’s is like stepping back in time. Rolling wooden ladders—one original to the building—allow staff to reach stock on 12-foot-high shelves. ¹⁴Nails are still sold by the pound, weighed on old-fashioned scales. ¹⁵

Some traditions are more personal. Every morning, an employee sweeps the sidewalk before opening, a ritual of civic pride. ¹⁶And then there is Bill, Terry’s cocker spaniel and the store’s mascot, who wanders the aisles and even receives his own mail at the shop. ¹⁷¹⁷¹⁷¹⁷

Despite a broken neck from a fall in the store years ago, Googie Richardson has no plans to retire. ¹⁸¹⁸¹⁸¹⁸ For him, the store is more than a business; it is a life.

“When the bell rings, that’s when I’ll go,” he says. “I’m able to keep going until then.” ¹⁹

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Here is both a timeline of the store's history and a detailed summary of the flooding events described in the text.

Timeline of C.J. Richardson Hardware

1901: C.J. Richardson establishes his hardware business in Marlinton on the west side of the Greenbrier River¹.
1905: The business relocates to a new 12,000-square-foot building on Eighth Street to be near the new C&O Railroad depot².
1910–Mid-1930s: The store’s "heyday," during which it heavily supplies regional logging camp operations³.
1930s: The store becomes a community gathering spot for listening to the radio, which was new entertainment at the time⁴⁴⁴⁴.
Mid-1950s: The tradition of Saturday evening jam sessions in the store comes to an end⁵.
1975: Googie Richardson takes over the business after his father becomes ill⁶.
1983: Terry Richardson, the fourth generation, begins working full-time at the store⁷.
1985: A major flood devastates the store, destroying nearly all merchandise on the first floor⁸.
1996: The store endures two floods (Winter and Spring); during the winter flood, employees are trapped on the second floor⁹⁹.
2002: Cheryl "Cookie" Richardson joins the staff¹⁰.
2012: As of the article's publication, the store remains the oldest family-owned business in Pocahontas County¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹.

Summary of Major Flooding Events

The text highlights three specific flood events that threatened the business, noting that these challenges "temper the hard work" of running the store¹².

The 1985 Flood

Devastation: This event caught the owners unprepared¹³. The water rose to six feet on the first floor, destroying virtually all merchandise, which was valued at over $100,000¹⁴¹⁴¹⁴.
Impact: The force of the water was so strong that a refrigerator floated up and rested on top of a wire rack near the ceiling¹⁵.
Survival: The store survived financially because the community was in the same situation; customers needed to replace their own destroyed appliances and furniture immediately after the waters receded¹⁶.
Insurance: The store had no flood insurance at the time¹⁷.

The Winter Flood of 1996

A "Harrowing" Experience: This flood struck suddenly, leaving no time for evacuation¹⁸.
Entrapment: Merchants and employees, including those from a neighboring pharmacy, were trapped on the second floor for 14 hours¹⁹.
Danger: The water on the first floor was over their heads²⁰²⁰. The situation was critical because loose propane tanks were washing around in the water, gushing gas²¹²¹²¹²¹. Googie noted that a single spark could have forced them to choose between drowning or burning²².

The Spring Flood of 1996

Nuisance: Unlike the previous two disasters, this flood was described as "more of a nuisance than anything else"²³.
Recovery: The store was able to return to serving customers quickly once the waters receded²⁴.

Next Step: Would you like to know more about the specific employees mentioned in the text, or perhaps the "old-fashioned" business practices they still use today?

Here are the details regarding the specific employees and the traditional business practices mentioned in the text.

Specific Employees Mentioned

The text highlights several key figures, both past and present, who have contributed to the store's legacy:

C.J. Richardson: The founder and mining engineer who established the business in 1901 . He was known as a Christian man who wore a white shirt and tie to work, took afternoon naps, and spent much of his time hunting and fishing .
Charles McElwee "Googie" Richardson III: The current 84-year-old owner (third generation) . He handles purchasing and paperwork from the office . He is known as a "Pocahontas County treasure" who enjoys playing practical jokes on customers and staff .
Terry Richardson: Googie’s son and the fourth-generation co-owner . He works primarily on the sales floor and holds a biology degree .
Andy Thomas: C.J.'s brother-in-law, who opened the store every morning for 50 years without ever taking a sick day or vacation .
Ed Richardson: C.J.'s brother and a fiddler who participated in the Saturday night jam sessions .
Ira "Buck" Turner: A veteran clerk of over 30 years described as a "local legend" . He handles everything from ordering metal roofs to testing water . He was hired on the spot after helping unload a truck while unemployed .
Lana Clark: The bookkeeper who has been with the store for more than 30 years . Googie relies on her for the financial numbers .
Cheryl "Cookie" Richardson: Terry’s wife, who joined the staff in 2002 after years of helping with inventory .
Jerry Davis: A clerk known for repairing glass and screens for customers who aren't handy .
Steven "Figaro" Sharp: An employee nicknamed "Figaro" by Googie because he looked like a "Steven" . He even signs his name as Figaro .
Ralph Dilley: A past employee from the radio era whose sole job was selling and servicing radios and their large batteries .

"Old-Fashioned" Business Practices

The store prides itself on maintaining systems established over a century ago:

No Computers for Sales: The store does not use computers for sales or inventory . The only computer is used for bookkeeping .
Manual Transaction Tools: Transactions are handled using pens, paper, calculators, and receipt books . Want lists are maintained on paper .
The "Journal": A hardbound journal is kept at the counter to track special orders, deliveries, and service calls . This system has been in use for over 104 years .
Antique Fixtures:
- Ladders: Three rolling wooden ladders are used to access high shelves; one is original to the 1905 building .
- Bins and Drawers: Bulk hardware is stored in triangle-shaped wooden drawers within rotating hexagonal units painted black . Nails are sold by the pound using an old-fashioned scale .
Customer Service Philosophy:
- Sidewalk Sweeping: Every morning, 15 minutes before opening, an employee sweeps the sidewalk in front of the store . In winter, they salt and clear the path for the entire block .
- In-House Repair: The store offers in-house service for almost everything they sell, including appliances (except complex electronics) .
- Sunday Closure: The store has always been closed on Sundays, a tradition dating back to the founder .

Next Step: Would you like to know more about the store's unique traditions, such as the Saturday night jam sessions or the role of the store mascot, Bill?

Based on the document, here are the details about Bill, the store mascot:

Identity & Owner: Bill Richardson is a cocker spaniel owned by Terry Richardson and his wife, Nathalie .
Role: He acts as the store mascot and comes to work with Terry most mornings .
Daily Routine: Bill is known to make the rounds of the town. He often visits the local elementary school where Nathalie teaches before heading back to the store to collect his treats .
Local Fame: Bill is well-known in Marlinton and even receives his own mail at the store—including political advertising and credit card offers .
Historical Context: Googie Richardson notes that having Bill around reminds him of when his father ran the store, as there was "usually a basset hound" in the shop back then .

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Based on the text, here are the unique traditions that define C.J. Richardson Hardware, ranging from daily rituals to historical community events:

Daily and Seasonal Rituals

Sidewalk Sweeping: Every morning, 15 minutes before the doors open at 8:00 a.m., an employee sweeps the sidewalk in front of the store¹. In the winter, they clear snow and salt the entire length of the block to create a safe path for customers².
Christmas Drawings: Every Christmas, the store holds a drawing for prizes, usually appliances or televisions³. In the 1950s, the store even gave away a new automobile; the winner, Jewell Scott, reminded people of his win until he was nearly 100 years old⁴.
Sunday Closure: The store has always been closed on Sundays, a tradition established by the founder that remains to this day⁵⁵⁵⁵.

Workplace Culture and Humor

Employee Nicknames: Googie Richardson has a tradition of assigning nicknames to his employees, such as "Cicero," "Pluto," and "Ice Cream"⁶. One employee, Steven Sharp, was dubbed "Figaro" because he "looked like a Figaro," and he now signs his name that way⁷.
Practical Jokes: Googie is known for playing pranks on customers and business owners⁸.
- The Toilet Prank: He once bolted a damaged commode to the sidewalk in front of a local diner with a sign reading, "For diner customers only"⁹⁹⁹⁹.
- The Ham Prank: When someone stole hams from the diner, Googie conspired to make the owner believe he was the culprit; the owner "took it hook, line, and sinker" and even called the police on him¹⁰.

Historical Traditions

Saturday Night Jam Sessions: Until the mid-1950s, musicians from the region—including the founder's brother, Ed—would gather in the store on Saturday evenings to play old-time music¹¹.
Community Entertainment Center: In the 1930s, the store was a gathering place for listening to the radio, which was new entertainment at the time ¹²¹²¹²¹². later, when television arrived, they placed a set in the window; despite the snowy reception, people gathered to watch it¹³¹³¹³¹³.
Morning Prayer: The founder, C.J. Richardson, insisted that his family have a time of prayer every morning before starting their business day¹⁴¹⁴¹⁴¹⁴.

Next Step: Would you like to know more about the founder, C.J. Richardson, and his background before starting the store?

Here are the details regarding the founder, C.J. Richardson, and his background before establishing the store:

Early Life and Career

Profession and Origin: C.J. Richardson grew up in Alabama and was a trained mining engineer¹¹¹¹.
Work Abroad: Before coming to West Virginia, he worked for a gold mine operation in South America²²²².

Reason for Relocation

Health Crisis: While working in South America, C.J. contracted malaria³³³³.
Medical Advice: His brother, Dr. T.S. Richardson, advised him to move to a region with a more healthful climate to aid his recovery⁴⁴⁴⁴.
Choosing West Virginia: He ultimately selected the Virginia/West Virginia border. While health was the primary driver, he was heavily influenced by the region's abundant fish and wildlife, as he was an avid outdoorsman⁵⁵⁵⁵.

Establishing the Business

Arrival: He detected opportunity in western Virginia and established his hardware business in Marlinton in 1901⁶.
Location: The original location was on the west side of the Greenbrier River, near the intersection of modern routes 219 and 55⁷⁷⁷⁷.
Personal Character: His grandson recalls him as a Christian man who insisted on family prayer every morning before business hours⁸⁸⁸⁸. He was also known for his work attire—always wearing a white shirt and tie—and his habit of taking afternoon naps so he could spend more time hunting and fishing⁹⁹⁹⁹.

Next Step: Would you like a breakdown of the specific merchandise the store has sold over the decades, from horse collars to modern appliances?

Based on the text, the merchandise sold at C.J. Richardson Hardware has evolved significantly over the last century, shifting from logging camp essentials to modern home goods while retaining a core selection of traditional hardware.

The "Heyday" Era (1910s–1930s)

During the logging boom, the store was a critical supplier for regional operations.

Draft Horse Equipment: The ceiling used to be hung with harnesses, horse collars, and other items needed for logging with draft horses¹¹¹¹. They sold a set of harnesses every day during this period².
Logging Tools: The store stocked crosscut saws; employees recently found a wooden case of these saws still in their original packing from the early 1900s³³³³.

Vintage Appliances & Technology

The store adapted to new technologies as they arrived in Marlinton.

Radios: In the 1930s, the store sold radios and the large batteries required to operate them⁴. They even had an employee dedicated solely to this department⁵.
Washing Machines: Googie Richardson recalls selling Maytag washing machines powered by gasoline engines⁶.
Motorcycles: For a period ending in 1975, the store operated a Honda motorcycle dealership alongside the hardware business⁷.

Core Hardware & Building Materials

The "Hardware" side of the business continues to sell traditional items, often in traditional ways.

Bulk Fasteners: Nails are still sold by the pound⁸. Triangle-shaped drawers hold all manner of fasteners, including screws and lock washers⁹⁹⁹⁹⁹⁹⁹⁹⁹.
Plumbing & Construction: The store stocks galvanized pipe fittings in wooden bins ¹⁰¹⁰¹⁰¹⁰and maintains a separate warehouse for lumber, drywall, and metal roofing¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹.
Maintenance Supplies: Inventory includes paint, glass, and screening material¹²¹²¹²¹²¹²¹²¹²¹²¹².

Modern Home Goods

Today, the store functions as a general home outfitter.

Major Appliances: The store is a General Electric and Hotpoint dealer, selling refrigerators, stoves, and other large appliances¹³.
Water Systems: They sell air-injection water treatment systems, which they also test and service¹⁴.
Furniture & Flooring: The entire second floor is dedicated to furniture, bedding, and flooring¹⁵¹⁵¹⁵¹⁵.
Small Goods: The front of the store features small appliances and seasonal needs¹⁶¹⁶¹⁶¹⁶.

Eclectic Items

Musical Instruments: Historical photos show musical instruments hanging above the counter¹⁷.

Next Step: Would you like to know more about the specific layout of the building, such as what is found on each of the three floors?

Based on the text, the C.J. Richardson store is housed in a three-story building on Eighth Street, with each floor serving a distinct purpose in the operation.

First Floor: The Hardware & Appliance Center

The ground floor is the heart of the daily operations and retail space.

Merchandise: This floor is dedicated to selling hardware, paint, household needs, and appliances .
Front Entrance: Small appliances and seasonal needs are displayed "front and center" near the heavy wood-and-glass door .
The Counter & Wall: A wooden counter runs for most of the store's 100-foot depth . The wall behind this counter is stocked with bulk hardware on shelves and in bins .
The Office: The administrative center is a "cramped space" tucked under the stairs that lead to the second floor .
Features: Rolling wooden ladders provide access to merchandise that stretches up to the 12-foot-tall tin ceiling .

Second Floor: Home Furnishings

Merchandise: This level is dedicated to furniture, bedding, and flooring .
Access: It is accessible via stairs or the freight elevator .
Historical Note: During the winter flood of 1996, this floor served as a refuge for employees and neighbors who were trapped in the building for 14 hours .

Third Floor: Warehousing & History

Purpose: The top floor is used primarily for warehousing .
Atmosphere: Store clerks describe it as a "place of discovery and history" where long-forgotten inventory is sometimes found .
Discoveries: A clerk once stumbled across a wooden case of crosscut saws still in their original packing from the early 1900s on this floor .

Unique Storage & Annex

The Elevator Shaft: The building features a freight elevator for moving goods between floors . Unique to the layout, storage bins for pipe fittings were built directly into the elevator shaft wall and are visible when the elevator is lowered .
The Metal Building: To address functionality deficiencies in the original 1905 structure, a modern metal building stands across the parking lot . This annex provides warehousing for lumber, drywall, and other large merchandise .

Next Step: Would you like a summary of the specific roles played by the different family members (C.J., Charles II, Craig, Googie, Terry) throughout the store's history?