In these days in which businesses come and go at the drop of a hat and have no enduring legacies, Elery Nau Hardware at 917 Broad Street, Montoursville, is the bright and shining exception to that and is celebrating its 75th anniversary in business. It has soldiered on through thick and thin, through good times and bad times, including a crippling pandemic. It has been an integral part of the Montoursville business scene for those 75 years and is a cherished part of that community.

In 1946, Elery W. Nau and his wife, Betty, started their business in a hatchery building where the Blaise Alexander Subaru dealership is currently located. The husband-and-wife team offered appliances, a small assortment of supplies, and electrical installations. Betty operated the store while Elery was still employed as an electrical supervisor Avco and Darling Valve.

In 1948, they built a new store at the present location of 917 Broad Street. They still concentrated on large and small appliances with the addition of a small line of hardware products.

Over the years, they have changed the products and services they offer. They have expanded the building three times and in 1992 performed a significant renovation to the building. All of this was to help expand the products and services they offer to the community.

The store has remained in the family for all 75 years. After Betty’s passing, the store was incorporated, and their children, Tom and Patricia, took an active role in the business’s day-to-day operations. Tom Nau oversaw the electrical contracting business. Up until her passing, Patricia oversaw the bookkeeping, and Gary Oechler, Patricia’s husband, manages the daily store operations.

While the electrical services are no longer offered, Tom and Gary spend a majority of their time ensuring that the store’s operations and product offerings are still meeting the expectations of their customers.

The store offers a variety of products, including a complete line of electrical, plumbing, hardware, housewares, lawn and garden, and paint merchandise. They are a Benjamin Moore retailer as well. They offer pipe cutting and threading, screen, window and lamp repair, paint mixing and color matching, key cutting, wire, and glass cut to order.

“I have been very fortunate to work here at Elery W. Nau for the last 12 years. Tom and Gary treat all of us like family, and we all work together to provide our customers with the experience they deserve,” Paul Early told Webb Weekly. “We are always amazed by the support from the local communities and the growing trend of supporting local businesses. The last 75 years have been wonderful, and we hope to continue serving Montoursville and the surrounding communities for years to come.”

Over the years, the folks at Elery Nau have employed store associates with extensive knowledge across multiple trades. They offer all of this with one thing in mind, the customer.

During the last 75 years, the management team has always been humbled by the support the local communities have given them. They are proud of every employee and the service and knowledge their staff has contributed to their daily business. Tom and Gary remain active in multiple community groups. They are both thankful for the community’s support over the years and hope to serve the needs of Montoursville and the surrounding communities for years to come.