Stocking up on snow tools made easy at decades-old Lincoln hardware store

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The family-owned ‘Wolfe Ace Hardware’ in Havelock has helped locals with their winter needs for nearly five decades.

From shovels to salt to everything in between, they also recommend some not-so-common items that can make all the difference in the snow.

Since Bob Wolfe opened the store in 1982 and passed on his expertise to his family, today his grandson, Jason Wolfe, runs it.

He described to Channel 8 on Friday how the last 24 hours have been since Thursday’s storm.

“It was kind of slow yesterday, all afternoon until the last hour or so, then shovels started selling, and then first thing this morning, it was pretty much shovels,” said Wolfe.

He says customers were mostly stocking up on essentials.

“Some were excited, some were like, can’t believe what a day difference a day makes around here,” said Wolfe.

With a range of price points, their shovels cost $12 to $70. The difference? The pricier options have a stronger blade.

“That’s what most of my commercial guys want because they’re real heavy duty,” he said. “And then you can buy just the blade refill.”

He adds that the handles tend to be more durable as well.

The store is well stocked on shovels and ice melt, but sold out quickly of sand, which Wolfe says helps add weight to trucks and improve wheel traction when stuck in snow.

In addition, “I sold shear bolts for snowblowers too,” he said.

Wolfe says those bolts come in handy, since it’s pretty common for Nebraskans to own one.

A lesser-known item he recommends is the ‘Prestone Windshield De-icer’, which costs only $5.

Items like these are much appreciated by his customers, many of whom have been shopping there for decades, like Chad Blackstock.

“We like Wolfe Hardware because at some of the big box stores, if I need just one bolt, I have to buy a big bag of 50. Jason and the guys keep a really good selection of bolts and nuts, sorry, and girls too,” said Blackstock.

He was referring to Angie Clapper, a Wolfe family member and the granddaughter of Bob Wolfe.

She says that they try to keep his legacy alive.

“We all just kind of take care of each other, and we try to make it just a community where everybody feels safe here,” she said.

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