Cole's Hardware

      Come on home to Cole's, Cole's Hardware. Come on home to Cole's This very jingle has been around for some time, but the stores that made it famous have existed even longer. Since the 19th century Cole's (see figure one) stores have served central Pennsylvania and its sounding areas with all the hardware nicknack, and hard-to-find essentials right around the corner. In 1883, J.H. Cole established the first Cole's in Danville. Later, during the Depression era, J.H. Cole would convert the business into a produce shop to keep the Cole's name going. In 1962 Cole's would associate itself with a national buying group, and from there on the company would blossom to feature over 15,000 different products and excellent customer service.

Figure one

      Painting can be difficult, there are just to many factors that can effect a jobs outcome. Well to Robyn Frankford, this is a challenge that she accepts every day. Robyn is a highly trained assistant paint specialist. She has been trained by Benjamin Moore, and Cole's hardware. She has long brown hair, with charming blue eyes and a laugh that could make anyone cheer up. Robyn takes pride in her job; she's been employed by Cole's Hardware for five years. She began as a part time employee, but now works full-time as an assistant paint specialist. Robyn leaves every customer with a satisfied feeling that the paint they chose is the right paint for them.
    
    Being a paint specialist Robyn has a peculiar job. She must balance her time correctly. Time is money in a retail business and with that Robyn takes her job extremely seriously. She finds time throughout the day to do walk-throughs, fronting, cleaning, organizing paint fan decks, And most of all helping customers. Robyn explains, "Our busiest time is during the summer, when it's so busy back here it looks like we're giving paint away for free." Just in time two customers arrive with a paint request. 

   
     "Hi, how may help you?" Robyn promptly greets an older gentleman wearing a green shirt and khaki cargo shorts, his wife in tow. She's wearing a yellow shirt with a gold necklace around her neck, she has blond hair and a fiery attitude. "Hi" the couple responds almost simultaneously. "We need good paint for cheap", they tell Robyn. "Well... where is the paint going, inside or outside?" "Inside," responds the lady. "OK,"  Robyn, says and picks up a green labeled Benjamin Moore paint can, to hand to the woman. "This will work just fine," Robyn reassures the customer. The customer nods in approval. "What color do you need, hon?" Robyn asks promptly as she walks back the paint aisle. "Just white." 

Figure two

    The most important part of an assistant paint manager's job is to properly mix the paint. This may sound redundant, but is a crucial part in the job of paint manager. Robyn now takes the newly selected paint can and places it under the Genn "X" machine (see figure two). The couple waits outside the threshold of the paint mixing area. Robyn as she's probably done this 1 million times, pops open a fresh can of Benjamin Moore paint. The lid comes off with a satisfying pop. 
She types on the keys and watches the Dell monitor receive her information. The label machine then willingly spits out a custom paint mixture ready for dispensing. Robyn firmly grasps the barcode scanner, and she presses the trigger three times over the barcode of the can. After each time a beep follows. "Dispensing...please wait" reads the Genn"X" machine display. Robyn then takes the can off the stainless steel adjustable stand and closes the lid. She walks three feet to the left. One large Red Devil paint mixer awaits her and her freshly dispensed paint. The mixer begins its job, the flat tire sounds indicate the mixup has commenced. "Do you need a stir sick and a can opener ?" Robyn asks the older couple. "Sure, if they're free". "They are!" Robyn chuckles.

Figure three

    After four minutes on the shaker, the paint is ready for the customer. "Here's your paint." Robyn hands the Cole's branded pine stir stick over to the couple. The husband takes the paint and the wife collects the stirrer stick with the opener taped to the top. They head down the aisle  behind them. The sale ends with, "Have a nice day." "Will do!" reply the customers. Robyn takes a brown clip board off the shelf in front of her and with yellow paper attached to it, she heads down the first aisle of paint (see figure three) and records empty shelves for ordering later. 



    With 132 years of service, the Cole's Hardware name has become a namesake in family households. With 11 conveniently placed stores there's bound to be a Cole's Hardware near you. Let the helpful, and highly trained staff find the right product for the job. Come on home to Cole's.