Baker’s Hardware

Article from Andover Sesquicentennial Book

Submitted by William A. Greene

 

          Baker’s Hardware was founded January 15, 1907 by Erwin D. and Arling R. Baker under the name of “Baker Brothers.   The original retail firm was located on Main Street where the “Blarney Stone” now is located.  It was actually a country store for it handled a wide variety of merchandise: hardware, buggies, wagons, paints, harness and harness supplies, farm machinery and plumbing supplies. 

          As business and conditions changed, the firm dropped such items as the wagons and farm machinery and added house wares, toys, floor covering, farm and garden seeds, wallpaper and small electrical appliances.

          In the summer of 1925 the business moved from Main Street to East Greenwood Street to the spot where the A & R Hardware now stands. In 1933, upon the retirement of Erwin D. Baker, the name was changed and ownership and operations went to Arling R. Baker.

          During the 54 years of continuous business, several men were associated with the firm: John Christian, Fay Boyd, who owned an interest in the business from 1920 – 1925; Earl Rowland, Bert Sharp, Archie Youmans, William Enos, Claude Eldridge, John Wahl, Thomas Bassett and Almon Wood, who owned an interest from 1939 – 1951.

          Upon the death of Arling Baker in 1950, the business continued under the ownership of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Harder and Mr. and Mrs. Almon Wood.  In 1951 the Woods sold their interest to the Harders who continued until 1964 when they sold to Mr. and Mrs. John Richardson.   In 1969 the Richardsons sold the business back to Richard Harder.

          In 1971 Mr. Harder sold to Donald Thorp, Sr. who sold to Angelo D’ariano and named the business A & R General Hardware and in the late 1990’s the store closed it’s doors.