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W.D. Bryant and Son rebranding from True Value to Ace Hardware in 2023
Big changes are on the way next year for W.D. Bryant and Son in Corbin and Williamsburg as they are rebranding from True Value to Ace Hardware.
“This has been a really hard decision for us,” said owner Lee Bryant. “My grandpa decided to go with True Value back in 1968. My dad grew up with it. They have been good partners, and they were the biggest in wholesale distribution for many years, but in the last ten years we’ve seen a steady growth with Ace in terms of their media presence and e-commerce capabilities.”
“They are the very biggest hardware co-op,” Bryant said of Ace. “They have the strength with their vendor relationships to make sure that they stay stocked with inventory, and that things will show up here on time at the right price. That was a big deciding factor.”
Bryant explained that, as the store prepares to celebrate its 95th anniversary in 2023, he is looking forward to W.D. Bryant being able to offer customers better selection and better service than ever before thanks to this new partnership with Ace.
“Our product lines will expand significantly,” Bryant explained. “It will also be much easier to shop thanks to e-commerce. People will be able to check things out from home, and either pick it up in-store, or have it shipped to where they’re at if they happen to be farther out of town.”
Bryant also mentioned search engine optimization as another area where Ace Hardware is strong, saying they have the ability to help make sure that W.D. Bryant stays in the mix when folks search online for tools, supplies, building materials, etc.
Bryant does want his customers to know, however, that while the stores may look a little different from a branding standpoint in the near future, the W.D. Bryant staff will continue to pride itself on prompt service with a personal touch.
That fact was on full display last week when W.D. Bryant hosted its latest contractor’s breakfast event, which welcomed area contractors to the Williamsburg location on Thursday the 6th, and to the Corbin location on the morning of Friday the 7th.
“We do these occasionally to feed our local contractors, and to show them some new product lines,” Bryant said. “They are providing an important service, and this just gives us a chance to say ‘thank you.’”
Contractors who attended the event in either Corbin or Williamsburg last week were treated to Bo Jangles breakfast biscuits, juice and coffee. Nail guns were also repaired for free along with the purchase of a box of nails, which Bryant said resulted in a saving of anywhere from $80-100 per gun.
Elmer Adams of Adams Roofing Company was at the Corbin event last Friday. As he waited on his nail gun to be repaired, he said, “It makes you feel good to know that they support you. I’ve been doing business here for probably the last ten years or so. They always treat me right.”
Kevin Wilson of KD Wilson Construction added, “I have been to these events before. It’s a good opportunity to meet up with people, and do some networking with other contractors. I like checking out the products, and talking to the vendors. We also have some nail guns that we are getting repaired. A service like that is important now more than ever, because every penny counts.”
For more on W.D. Bryant and Son, look them up online at www.wdbryant.com. They are also active on social media, and can be reached by phone at (606) 549-2385 in Williamsburg or (606) 528-2175 in Corbin.
