Medina business celebrates 5 years, plans to expand into historic mill

Photos by Tom Rivers – Tom Snyder (pictured) and his father Warren five years ago opened Medina Lumber and Hardware at 305 East Center St. They have gradually grown the business and have plans to expand their home and garden to a neighboring Medina sandstone mill that was built in the 1840s.

The former mill has either been vacant or used for storage the past century. Tom Snyder will use the first floor for home and garden supplies, and may sell sporting equipment in the second floor.

MEDINA – When Somerset Lumber shut down in Medina in February 2009, Tom Snyder and his father Warren feared there would be a void in the community, especially for contractors and do-it-yourselfers.

The Snyders opened Medina Lumber and Hardware on June 5, 2009. They initially focused on lumber but have gradually expanded their selection of hardware items since then, with renovations and added inventory to the hardware store about a year ago.

“We have what I call the ‘Cheers Effect,’” the younder Snyder said. “When you walk in here everybody’s knows your name. We have a positive attitude and we offer great service.”

Snyder works as a contractor in the community. He has learned what customers want from bigger projects to smaller ones. He shares what he has learned with customers from his experiences working with older buildings and more modern ones.

“We enjoy helping people solve their problems,” he said.

The father and son team with four employees in the business. The Snyders seem more potential at the site. They are working on renovating a former mill behind the hardware and lumber store at 305 East Center St. That former mill was built in the 1840s. It has been either vacant or used for storage the past century.

Ken Nice, a mason from Knowlesville, works on a window sill in the former mill from the 1840s. Nice is removing the old wood and will replace it with a sandstone sill.

The Snyders are putting in windows made from repurposed wooden barn beams from the late 1800s. They claimed the wood from a barn that fell down.

They are making other upgrades to the building and expect to start selling home and garden supplies from there later this month.

Tom Snyder is working to upgrade the former mill along the canal. He is standing on the second floor, which he said may be used to selling sporting equipment in the future.

The hardware and lumber store will have an anniversary celebration today from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be free hot dogs and hamburgers from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and other prizes. Several experts in shingles, decks and other supplies will also be at the store to take questions from the public.