Established in 1822, the Spalding Hardware Company is one of the oldest businesses in Lockport, NY. Founded by Lyman A. Spalding, the store’s first location was a rough log building just south of the Erie Canal. In 1829 the business was sold to Lyman’s brother, Holmes Spalding. William Spalding then inherited the company in 1870, and ran it for the remainder of the nineteenth century with the help of his business partner, Louis Lureman. At the turn of the century, William Spalding passed away, but the company remained in the family, operated by John W. Spalding. Finally, in 1956, LaVern Ulrich, William Hoffman, and Raymond Helwig bought the company from Spalding. The trio moved Spalding Hardware to its current location on Davison Road.

In 1978, Spalding Hardware partnered with Ace Hardware, becoming one of the first stores in the Northeast to carry Ace brand products. By 1983, Ulrich had become the sole proprietor. Three years later, Ulrich purchased Standish-Jones Building Supply in nearby Gasport, NY.

Located right on the railroad tracks that run parallel to the Erie Canal, the buildings that comprise Standish-Jones Building Supply were formerly a canning factory called Cramer’s Pickling Works. The west end of the lumberyard was a coal and lumber supply. The location was also home to the post office and the Red & White store, owned by G.C. Barrett. In 1921, Clarence Standish purchased the land, and continued to sell coal, lumber, and hardware. The business changed hands again to Don Jones in 1945, who named the company Standish-Jones Lumber Company. And so it remained until 1986, when Standish-Jones was acquired by the Spalding Hardware Company.

December 2005 marked the debut of Always Christmas, a novelty holiday and gift shop located on the second floor of Standish-Jones Building Supply. Open all year round, Always Christmas offers a wide selection of indoor and outdoor holiday décor, collectibles, and gifts for all seasons.

Today, Spalding Hardware and Standish Jones are increasingly successful businesses. Each location is individual, catering to the specific needs of the local demographic. At the same time, the “sister stores” are similar in that each has a full selection of high-quality, competitively-priced products, knowledgeable staff, and high marks in customer satisfaction.