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MYRON & JASON -
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For over one hundred years Midwest Supply has been a family-owned hardware business serving the needs of agricultural families and businesses in Slayton. Affiliated with Hardware Hank, the location has changed and grown but the common denominator has been ownership by partners who were friends with a spirit of entrepreneurship and service. The tradition continues as ownership has changed from Myron Trulock and Ken Schiller to Jason Wynia and Mike Kossack.
Myron and Ken purchased the Slayton and Tracy stores in 1959 from Earl DeVine and Milt Schroeder. Brothers-in-law through marriage, Earl and Milt purchased the store from Earls brother-in-law Alvin Ball. Mr. Ball had owned the store for twenty-four years before he retired and sold the business. One of the newest owners, Jason Wynia said, I worked at the store for a couple of years after high school but Ive been here as a manager for about the past six years. Jason is pleased to have the opportunity for ownership and is looking forward to working with Mr. Kossack. Mikes a good guy and this is a good arrangement for us. Mike remarked, Jason is perfect for this job! Everyone knows him and he has the patience and time to help people.
Mike currently lives in Bondurant, Iowa, where he owns a drilling company. He became a customer at Midwest Supply when he and his wife purchased a home on Lake Shetek from her grandpa Earls brother, Ed Devine. With three years of remodeling I was at Midwest Supply a lot. One day I made a comment to Jason that when Myron and Ken want to sell the store, you and I should buy it. About two weeks later Jason called! Mike is really excited for this opportunity to invest in this business to fill his retirement years. It feels like the perfect thing to bring (Midwest) back to the DeVine family and I couldnt imagine a better partner than Jason. I come up some Saturdays to get familiar with the store and well move up here after retirement. Jason and I dont plan to reinvent the wheel, but we will have a new perspective and try to slowly make the necessary changes.
The ownership officially changed nearly one year ago, on May 1, 2021. Myron remained to help through the transition but now has plans to move out of state and Ken doesnt work very often either. Customers can expect to see a few cosmetic changes, updates and perhaps a different type of inventory, but these will be deliberate and slow. The building is old but it has good bones, said Mike. Inventory is more important to us. Recently they have had to triple the number of suppliers they use just to find all the products they want to provide. Jason is getting creative finding products, even if we have to take a loss to satisfy a customer.
The stability of a long-time business is built on the relationships between owners and customers. Mike commented, “The employees have not changed and we are still going to provide friendly, small-town service. The store can get busy, but it’s unique because it’s still relevant. We have no fear of a chain store pushing us out.” Everyone thanks Myron and Ken for the many years they have invested in this community and we look forward to many more years of quality service from Jason and Mike.
