The Staples Coast True Value hardware store is re-opening Friday, July 2.

Dave and Carolyn Lester, previous owners of the store, this past week purchased the assets of the B & A Holdings from Mid-Minnesota Federal Credit Union. Their purchase transaction was concluded Monday, June 28.

Also coming back as store manager is Todd Larson, who was briefly manager for the former owner.

“We are getting the computers re-hooked up and getting in touch with major suppliers and vendors,” Dave Lester said on Tuesday. He stressed that they have purchased the assets of the former owner.

Dave and Carolyn had run the store for years prior to selling the inventory to B & A Holdings. They have been out of the store for two years.

“I found that I needed the mental activity. I have plenty of physical activity, but I needed the mental part,” Dave said

“Now we are hoping that we can be what people want us to be,” he said. Over the past three months, since the credit union closed the store March 30, the Lesters have been besieged with questions from people asking if they can reopen the store.”

He said their first goal will be regain the reputation the store once had for customer service. They will offer True Value and Hardware Hank items, Dave said. Former employees coming back, in addition to Larson, will include small engine mechanic Gene, along with Lisa, Sarah, Kris, Jason and others who probably haven’t been contacted yet.

“We will be offering the same mix of merchandise, including guns, as we had before,” Larson added. That will include Stihl chain saws and trimmers, plus Poulan and Husqvarna products.

Larson grew up in the hardware business in Monticello. He has over 25 years in hardware sales and management and had served as the store manager for about eight months.