Kearney residents support hardware store after fire

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By The Associated Press

KEARNEY — Four days after a fire destroyed Kearney’s True Value hardware store, the store reopened in a temporary location Friday.

Store manager Andy Donovan and owner Lloyd Wilke said the support they’ve received since the fire from family, friends, customers and strangers has been overwhelming. The fire damaged roughly $1 million in property and inventory at the store.

“It’s unbelievable how much support we’ve had. I’m taking so many calls that my cell phone battery goes dead before lunch,’’ Donovan said.

As Donovan described the chaos the fire caused, a man driving by honked his horn repeatedly.

“Good luck, boys,’’ the motorist hollered out his window.

The car faded into the distance. The driver kept honking his horn. Donovan just shook his head and smiled at the act of encouragement.

Wilke and his wife plan to rebuild the store at its original location. Until that can be completed, the True Value store will operate out of its temporary location in a former tire store.

The fire came at the worst possible time for the hardware store, Donovan said, because spring and early summer are the biggest sales months for the store.

“That’s why it is so important for us to move fast and reopen the store. It’s important for us and our customers.’’

City officials have worked with store officials to help them reopen in a temporary location.

“The city is working with us and letting us do business despite some code issues with items such as parking availability,’’ Donovan said. “The city has been helpful and real understanding.’’