Hardware store has new owners

By Vinde Wells

vwells@oglecounty

news.com

The right opportunity prompted a downtown Forreston store owner to sell his business last week.

Forreston Hardware officially became Koeller Forreston Hardware on Aug. 21 when owner Monty Cotter sold the store on the corner of Ill. 72 and 26 to Gary and Jane Koeller.

Cotter, 61, said he was planning to retire and sell the business in about three years but that all changed when the Koellers expressed interest in buying it a few months ago.

“The opportunity arose to sell,” Cotter said. “I thought about it and decided now is the time. The opportunity might not be here in three years.”

The new owners live in Forreston and have roots there, and that was important, he said.

“It’s a good thing for the community to keep the store locally owned and in town,” Cotter said.

Gary, 54, agreed. “I didn’t want to see it leaving Forreston,” he said. “Jane and I are very excited to be doing this and to continue it. It will be a family-run business.”

Jane is a lifelong Forreston resident, and Gary moved to town with his family in 1967. He grew up here and left for several years but moved back five years ago.

The hardware store is a natural fit for Gary, who is a licensed plumber and has always done his own handyman projects.

“I’m familiar with the tools and what’s needed for projects,” he said.

Cotter and Gary were busy Monday morning taking care of customers and conferring on everything from inventory to computer programs.

Cotter said he has no firm plans for the future, but for the time being will work for the Koellers at the store to make the transition as smooth as possible.

Gary said he no plans to make changes in the business at first.

“In time we may want to increase inventory and add new products,” he said. “I do plan to do outreach to potential customers in communities without hardware stores.”

Cotter bought the store almost 16 years ago from Dennis and Nancy Simler.

“I came to work for Dennis, thinking I would buy the store from him and Nancy,” Cotter said. “That went through in 2000.”

He said he will miss seeing all the friends he’s made on a nearly daily basis.

“I’ve enjoyed the relationships I’ve made with businesses and the people coming in every day,” he said. “I’ve come to know a lot of people fairly well. I’ll miss kidding with them.”

Cotter said he appreciates the employees who worked for him and the support of the community over the years.

“I’ve had good help all these years,” he said. “I thank the community for supporting my business.”

As always the store’s hours will be 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.