By Chaney FergusonThe Times of SWLA
Trahan’s Hardware has been a family owned business since Carolyn Trahan’s parents opened it in 1966. Since then the whole family has been involved. In 1994 Mr. Trahan passed away leaving his wife, Ethel to operate the store. It was at that time the family stepped in and played a more active role.
“It was just me and him until 1994, and when he passed away I couldn’t do it by myself.” said Ethel Arabie, Carolyn Trahan’s mother. “Right now all the employees are family.”
Hammers and Other History
Trahan’s has had a history of friends and family members working together to maintain the business. Carolyn Trahan worked in the store when she was growing up.
“We were raised in this store,” said Trahan, speaking of herself and her siblings. “We worked here summers and after school, but I didn’t enjoy it because I was a kid.”
Trahan’s father had a love for hardware. He grew up going to his uncle’s hardware store and fell in love with the business. He even took his future wife there when she came in for a visit.
“Every time I came to town with my boyfriend we had to go to the hardware store and I remember thinking why can’t we just go to Sears,” said Arabie, laughing at the memory.
Arabie went on to explain how her future husband looked at all the hammers in the hardware store. She wanted to shop at Sears so he could look at the hardware and she could spend her time looking at something else.
“I thought a hammer is a hammer and he would say a hammer is not a hammer,” said Arabie. “So years later I’m in the hardware business and I’m selling those hammers and not every hammer is alike. This has been a learning experience for me.”
The Trahan’s have had many experiences, including a fire in 1977 that destroyed the original building leaving nothing for them to save.
“Customers came and helped after the fire,” said Trahan. “A couple of days later, once my dad got his bearings back customers came out and helped and within days we had a temporary building built.”
“When you lose everything you have to start all over again,” said Arabie. “We had established credit with some of these wholesalers, and they extended us the courtesy to charge. We went to one company and they said take whatever you want. You have one year to pay us.”
Within a month the family was able to begin selling again, and they remained in the temporary building for over a year before finishing their current building.
Hurricane Experiences
Hurricane season is approaching and Trahan’s Hardware is already stocking extra candles, lanterns, batteries, tarps, and other essential hurricane items. Hurricanes Rita and Ike have provided Trahan’s with a lot of experience to know exactly what their customers need after disaster strikes.
“Rita was unbelievable,” said Trahan. “I snuck back into town the morning after to make sure we still had houses and a building. While we were here someone spotted our vehicle.”
According to Trahan, once someone noticed her vehicle she was back in business. Everyone was looking for supplies to begin clean-up.
“She had to have the children man the door,” said Arabie.
All the electricity was out. Trahan had to personally walk each customer around the store while they gathered what they needed.
“With a flashlight I can take you anywhere in the store and get you whatever you need,” said Trahan. “Anybody that works here can, but we couldn’t allow customers to come in here without lights. We had kids at the door and if we had five people in here working, there could only be five people in the store.”
Trahan and other workers operated the store for two weeks with no electricity. Each customer was guided around the store with a flashlight until they had all they needed to begin their repairs.
Competition
Trahan’s Hardware has been around for a number of years, and despite the competition from larger chain stores they haven’t suffered thanks to their personal customer service.
“When you go to the big stores you have to find someone to help you,” said Trahan. “If you walk in the door here everyone speaks to you, and asks if you need help.”
According to Arabie the larger stores will sometimes send customers to Trahan’s or call and see if they have something a particular customer needs.
“We sell the parts to all the stuff they sell,” said Cary Thomas, one of the workers at Trahan’s.
Trahan adds that they also do special orders for customers who need a specific part. Trahan’s offers many services besides special orders.
“We will try to fix whatever you bring in,” said Trahan.
Trahan’s Hardware is full of supplies with plans of adding additional merchandise.
“We have people come in here saying, you’re my last hope because I’ve looked everywhere else,” said Thomas. “I always tell people, instead of going everywhere start here.”
Before driving all over town check out Trahan’s Hardware for all of your hurricane supplies and hardware needs.
For additional information call Trahan’s Hardware at (337) 477-5627, or stop by 5507 Common Street. Store hours are Monday-Friday 7:30-5:30, and Saturday 8:00-2:00.
CUTLINE: From L to R are Carolyn Trahan, Cary Thomas, Patsy Nelson.
