Bob Scheidt, Roger McCreight and the Easter Bunny (Shannon Hill) in the year 2000. Roger retires on this day from his long time association with Scheidt Hardware. Best of luck, Roger.
The forty year tenure at Scheidt Hardware of Roger McCreight is over after today and he is out on his own to fill his time however he chooses. Roger has long been recognized as one of the area’s preeminent hardwarians. I and many, many others have been the beneficiary of his extensive knowledge of his trade too many times to count. His advice on future projects will definitely be missed.
If the golf clubs he’s often seen carrying are any indication of his chosen path in retirement, it’s doubtful he’ll be clamoring to return anytime soon. We all wish you a long and happy retirement, Roger.
In this post let’s take a look at the Maplewood institution, Scheidt Hardware, that Roger has been an integral part of for so long.
This photo from 1907 shows Emil and Rosa Scheidt standing in front of their first store at 7277 Manchester (now demolished). The name was after Rosa’s father who provided the funds for the venture which they began in 1905.Photographs courtesy of Jessica Ernst.Business was undoubtedly good when Emil L. and Rosa posed for this photo in their (I’m assuming it’s theirs) fancy rig with baby, Emil C. Son Emil C., born upstairs at this store, would go on to run the family business for many decades. Courtesy of Jessica Ernst.In 1916, Emil and Rosa bought this building which had been built in 1910 to house the Maplewood Theater. Seen here in a photograph from the 1970’s, it’s much prettier now. Courtesy of Bob Scheidt.Here Rosa and Emil pose with their impressive inventory at their new location at 7320 Manchester. The first large task they faced was the conversion of the building from theater to hardware store. This involved cutting all of the floor joists where they entered the walls in order to jack the sloping floor into a horizontal position. The screw holes from the rows of theater seats are still visible today. Courtesy of Bob Scheidt.Maplewood Theater ad from 1915 News Champion.Photo by Doug HouserBob Scheidt, Roger McCreight and the Easter Bunny (Shannon Hill) in the year 2000. Roger retires on this day from his long time association with Scheidt Hardware. Best of luck, Roger. Photo courtesy of the Maplewood Public Library.
8 COMMENTS
I will miss my Roger! When my husband was out of town on business (very often) , I relied on Roger for advice,wisdom on repair matters and grumpiness.
Now who is going to warn other customers to stay away from me because I’m bad news? Who is going to figure out how to attach my bike rack or advise me
that if I was better to my husband, he wouldn’t travel so much? Have a great retirement, Roger. We love you!
Scheidt Hardware and its ensemble of hardwarians with Roger at the fore is a rare (and becoming rarer) group and place, a throwback in time where the atmosphere of the old time hardware store reigns, coupled with personalized service by well known friends running the operation, so different from the big box stores. Who ever says of the big boxes, “This is my hardware store.” with the warmth and pride I have of Scheidt? Well the very best to Roger and a long, good life in the A.S. (after Scheidt) years to come, and to the rest of the great Scheidt gang. Gary and Sharon Tash
Thanks to you Doug for your research. I wish the very best to Roger McCreight who is a pillar in the community whether he knows it or not.
All the luck to Roger on his retirement. I will truly miss the guiding wisdom of his home and garden knowledge. He was my go to source when I needed help with tools and home repair stuff.
It would fun to see the history of the building across from Scheidt, the current Home restaurant. How many eateries have been located there? In just the last 6 or 7 years, it has been Home, the catering place, and the cafe before that (what was the name, I liked that one!). Then we see that in the 70’s it was an Indian place. How many came in between?
Ian: I believe 7322 Manchester ceased to be a restaurant for more than 20 years after India Shalamar closed. Then, it was offices for a while until Red Lead art supplies occupied it from 1997-2000. The building was converted to restaurant use when my ex-partner and I purchased it in 2001. Here’s a list of the places that have occupied the space in the 13 years I’ve owned the property:
– Cafe Solas
– Salina’s Mexican (signed a lease, but never opened)
– Minions Cafe
– Bravo To Go (changed name to Maravelle)
– Home Wine Kitchen
I’m confident (and I think it’s been proven) that Home is there for the long haul!
Thanks, Doug! My cousin, Chuck Kennedy, mentioned he attended school with one of the Scheidt family. I’ll let Chuck expound upon that with his own reply.
Love these pictures. Can’t help but notice there seems to be an Indian restaurant here in 1916? Wish there was still one now!
I will miss my Roger! When my husband was out of town on business (very often) , I relied on Roger for advice,wisdom on repair matters and grumpiness.
Now who is going to warn other customers to stay away from me because I’m bad news? Who is going to figure out how to attach my bike rack or advise me
that if I was better to my husband, he wouldn’t travel so much? Have a great retirement, Roger. We love you!
Scheidt Hardware and its ensemble of hardwarians with Roger at the fore is a rare (and becoming rarer) group and place, a throwback in time where the atmosphere of the old time hardware store reigns, coupled with personalized service by well known friends running the operation, so different from the big box stores. Who ever says of the big boxes, “This is my hardware store.” with the warmth and pride I have of Scheidt? Well the very best to Roger and a long, good life in the A.S. (after Scheidt) years to come, and to the rest of the great Scheidt gang. Gary and Sharon Tash
Thanks to you Doug for your research. I wish the very best to Roger McCreight who is a pillar in the community whether he knows it or not.
All the luck to Roger on his retirement. I will truly miss the guiding wisdom of his home and garden knowledge. He was my go to source when I needed help with tools and home repair stuff.
It would fun to see the history of the building across from Scheidt, the current Home restaurant. How many eateries have been located there? In just the last 6 or 7 years, it has been Home, the catering place, and the cafe before that (what was the name, I liked that one!). Then we see that in the 70’s it was an Indian place. How many came in between?
Ian: I believe 7322 Manchester ceased to be a restaurant for more than 20 years after India Shalamar closed. Then, it was offices for a while until Red Lead art supplies occupied it from 1997-2000. The building was converted to restaurant use when my ex-partner and I purchased it in 2001. Here’s a list of the places that have occupied the space in the 13 years I’ve owned the property:
– Cafe Solas
– Salina’s Mexican (signed a lease, but never opened)
– Minions Cafe
– Bravo To Go (changed name to Maravelle)
– Home Wine Kitchen
I’m confident (and I think it’s been proven) that Home is there for the long haul!
Thanks, Doug! My cousin, Chuck Kennedy, mentioned he attended school with one of the Scheidt family. I’ll let Chuck expound upon that with his own reply.
Love these pictures. Can’t help but notice there seems to be an Indian restaurant here in 1916? Wish there was still one now!
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