Kroner's Hardware

Kroner's Hardware has overcome economic hardship more than once.

It does business its own way.

We've told you before about an iconic la crosse business with more than 150 years downtown.

Kroner's hardware has overcome economic hardship more than once.

Tonight only on news 8 now...reporter jordan fremstad....tells us how their way of business is keeping their doors open once again.

Their sign is part of pearl street's character.

"nearly 150 years.

It was started by my great grandfather way back in about 1868."

Bill kroner is fourth generation of a business that has aged well.

"it's always kind of felt like home."

Today times are tough...but his father...grandfather...and great grandfather could say the same.

"this is definitely a hurdle, but nothing that other people haven't gone through too."

Bill has some experience too.

"i've run through the mass exodus in downtown back in the '70s when the mall came up.

That hurt obviously when businesses were leaving."

You can find just about anything in this store except a bad attitude.

"bill's dad edgar said when the 2008 downturn happened, 'well we made it through the depression we'll probably be alright."

Mark and bill are just happy to go to work.

More than 385,000 wisconsinites can't say the same.

"i feel kind of guilty getting to work through the entire shut down."

"i really feel for the other businesses downtown."

When parking isn't a problem "every spot was taken."

It's a sign of a different problem.

"traffic of course has been less because of the other businesses not being open and people not venturing out like they normally would."

Other business models try to survive on algorithms and technology.

One thing hasn't changed much at kroners since we met bill and mark two years ago..or the past century for that matter.

"you gotta do some technology of course, but the basic inventory...if you're there everyday you know what's selling."

Every item in their store is stored on paper.

"computers break down but the people, well they can, but they usually show up every day and know what's going on."

Standup - sometimes the status quo overcomes the test of time and the test of covid-19.

They are not afraid of change, "we do a lot more cleaning.

We wipe surfaces down at least once a day if not twice."

But their logic relies on the old clicé, "why fix what isn't broke?

"we're not out to be on the stock market index or anything, but we're just here to be solid and reliable."

A trip to the store was a petty routine errand.

Now it's a trip we crave.

"they would come in and they said, 'it's been two months since i've been in a store."

The internet can provide convenience, but it can't offer a smile or friendly conversation.

"being able to talk to someone besides the people that confined with them back at home."

It's these moments where a business owner's resolve is measured.

"we take it day by day."

This is a family of economic fighters controlling only what they can control.

"if we all kinda stick together and look out for each other, just kind of realize there's gonna be an end point.

We're gonna get there as best we can and it may take time."

Kroner says the pandemic has kroner says the pandemic has taught him that the cleaning practices we have now are something we should have always done.

And we'll be back right after