On Friday, May 26, 2023, Edelmans Home Center celebrated their 50th anniversary with a customer appreciation cookout in the store’s parking lot, located at 512 S. Old U.S. Highway 75.

During the event, members of the local community enjoyed classic barbecued foods and good conversation, and several barbecue-related items were showcased, including K4L Drum Cookers, Weber Grills and Smokers, and Kelly’s BBQ Seasonings. Community members could also register to win a K4L Drum Cooker and sign up for door prizes.

Edelmans Home Center appreciates all who could attend.

About Edelmans

Edelmans Home Center is currently owned by Loren and Jeanne Edelman, and Barry and Amber Metzger.

Edelmans is a full-service home center that stocks everything from lumber supplies to interior hardware, and offers equipment and supplies for all your home improvement needs, as well as a wide variety of service work to the community. The business has construction, HVAC and plumbing crews, and offers a wide variety of service work and building knowledge, according to Jeanne.

According to Jeanne, Edelmans Home Center has a history that goes back before it was known as “Edelmans Home Center.” Below is her recount of the store’s history:

“Clemens Edelman began a carpentry partnership operation with Art Hartter in 1953. Together, they built homes in the area until the early 1960s, when Clem became an independent contractor. After Clemens married Marjorie in 1961, he continued with carpentry work.

“In the early 1970s, they purchased Roberts Construction in Sabetha, which was the building at the [Edelmans] current location. Shortly thereafter, they also bought the inventory of the closing-out Kurz-Franklin Hardware Store. A building supply center was established in 1973, and the business [Edelmans] became incorporated seven years later.

“Clemens and Marjorie operated Edelmans, Inc. with the help of their children until Clem’s passing in 1992. Loren and Jeanne [Edelman] purchased the business in 1998, and Barry Metzger was added to the team in 2001. Needing more room for the expanding business, they broke ground for the new store remodel in 2008.”

Expansions

The store has gone through multiple changes since the Edelmans bought the building, including a warehouse that had its framework built twice after the first framework was destroyed by a violent windstorm on Dec. 15, 2021.

“In the last 15 years, a complete HVAC department has been added,” Jeanne said. “Last year, Edelmans expanded by adding another building [warehouse] for HVAC equipment and vehicle repair. Changes continue inside the store as well. Just recently, the grilling section has been expanded, and a new display of bathroom vanities has been added.”

Jeanne commented that Edelmans is not currently planning new projects or renovations at this time.

Challenges and Success

It’s an amazing feat for a store to be successful continuously for half a century. As a local establishment, Edelmans Home Center faces many challenges, though it has been able to surpass every one for 50 years.

“Some of the biggest challenges Edelmans faces are finding and keeping key employees, government regulations, and unstable pricing. Years ago, most everyone was willing to work, and lumber prices remained stable for long periods of time,” Jeanne said.

Jeanne attributes the store’s success to a few factors, including hard-working, knowledgeable employees.

“Several things are core to the success of a business,” Jeanne said. “Obviously, dedication is key. But we strive for complete honesty and focus on a service-oriented atmosphere as well. Without hard-working employees, we couldn’t survive, either.

“We have some extremely knowledgeable and talented employees. Experience is invaluable and the combined years of just a few of the long-time employees would be over 125 years.”

Also keys to Edelmans’ success are God’s blessings and the store’s customers and clients, especially those who frequently work with and support the store. The owners and employees at Edelmans Home Center appreciate their supporters.

“We thank our customers, and in particular, our contracting ones, who continually support us. We couldn’t operate without people coming in our doors!” Jeanne said. “Finally, but above all, we attribute every success to God and His continued blessings, and we hope to grow through each challenge. We rely on God for all decisions!”

Edelmans Home Center is open Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday 7:30 a.m. to noon. Customers can call the store at 785-284-2115. For more information, visit the Edelmans website at http://edelmanslumber.com.