Andy and Alicia Bockhop, shown with mini golden doodle Apollo, recently opened A.B. Hardware in Mineral Point.
New hardware store opens in Mineral Point Community response to A.B. Hardware’s opening has been strong and supportive, its owner said. “Ninety percent of the people say thanks, now I don’t have to run” out of town, said Alicia Bockhop, who founded the store with her husband Andy. “They want to support a local small business.” A soft opening through June will help determine what people would like at the hardware store and tailor inventory to the community. On the shelves are basic hardware store items, including nuts, bolts, screws, automotive and paint supplies, natural cleaning products, basic plumbing and electrical needs. At a Business Task Force meeting, Bockhop heard that a hardware store was one of the city’s needs. “I thought I have some space. I think I could start a small hardware store,” said Bockhop. They moved their existing business, A.B. Electric, which they started in 2016, to the location last year. “This is all brand new to me,” said Bockhop of the hardware store business. A community survey showed strong support. Conversations with the task force and Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Cory Graber-Bennett encouraged her. “It was very beneficial to me,”Bockhop said. “It gave me confidence to believe I can do this. I think this is going to work.” They chose Missouri-based independent hardware distributor Orgill, which allows her to “pick and choose what I want, and how much of it.” A Highland native, Bockhop fell in love with the city while working for15 years at the Mineral Point Medical Center. During the soft opening through June, hours will vary and will be posted weekly on Facebook. The building at 851 Dodge St. formerly housed the Dairy Queen and most recently Innovation Kitchen. Renovation included new flooring, offices and conference room, with space for the hardware store to expand.