When people like what you’re doing, they’ll generally tell you. In the business world, customers tell you with their wallets.
A good indicator that a business not only takes care of its customers, but also its community, is the particular business’ longevity in that community.
Mike Miklas has owned Ferry Hardware, located at 6 South Zane Highway in Martins Ferry, for 21 years. Two decades is quite a run. But consider that the previous owner ran Ferry Hardware in the Purple City for 50 years.
That’s quite a bit of longevity.
“We’re a full-service hardware store,” Miklas said. “If you come in and need to know where something is, we can help you out. Everyone here knows everything about the store from heating, to plumbing, to electrical.”
Think Mom and Pop store feel, but with a much bigger selection.
From tools and accessories to getting the job done, you’ll find everything you need inside Ferry Hardware, a Do-It-Best affiliated hardware store.
Need house or car keys cut? No problem. Need a screen or window repaired? No problem. Need softener or salt? No problem, and it’s delivered free of charge.
Ferry Hardware runs different sales specials each month, and twice a year, the store runs a paint sale. They also mix paint in-house, utilizing a full line of Sherwin Williams paint.
And while Ferry Hardware doesn’t have the floor space or inventory to compete with the likes of Lowes or Home Depot in terms of overall inventory, there are features that keep customers coming back again and again. Knowledge is one. Experience is the other.
“When you go to a big box hardware store, you have a hard time finding anyone who knows what they are talking about,” Miklas said. “They kind of guess. So, I 100 percent think that’s what keeps people coming back.”
It’s not just the individual customers that benefit from Ferry Hardware’s hands-on approach and years of experience.
A number of businesses have house accounts and routinely frequent the large orange building on S. Zane Highway when the need arises.
“Nickels can shoot in and pick up whatever they need,” Miklas said. “The dairy, the hospital, there are a lot of individual businesses and contractors that have house accounts.”
Ferry Hardware boasts a large assortment of tools and accessories. 
A full line of Sherwin Williams is sold and able to be mixed in-house.
The Knowhow
As Miklas noted, 21 years is a long time to work in retail. But he and his wife run the store and not just from afar. They are behind the counter, ringing up orders and answering any questions customers may have.
It’s that kind of attention to detail that keeps customers coming back through the door. The appreciation is returned.
Find a service organization in town needing a hand or an event needing to be sponsored, and Ferry Hardware is quick to step up to lend its support in any way possible. The community takes care of the Miklases and their employees and they, in turn, do what they can to help out the community.
It’s a win-win relationship and a big reason why the facility is approaching 75 years in business.
For more information, stop by or visit Ferry Hardware on Facebook.
