Big John readies for return to hardware market

GLENWOOD SPRINGS Big John Lindsey tried his hand at being a computer consultant and considered a few other second career options after he had to shut down his longtime lumber and hardware business on Devereux Road nearly three years ago.

That was one of the most difficult things Ive ever had to do, said Lindsey, who had owned and operated Big Johns Building and Home Center, including the local Ace Hardware affiliate, in the former 84 Lumber space, since 1988.

When he got word that his lease was ending and the building owner wanted to sell, he tried to buy the property.

The economy just wouldnt support it, Lindsey said.

He also looked at relocating the business, including taking a hard look at the vacant car dealership space on South Glen Avenue where, just a few short years later, he is about to re-enter the local retail market with his new Big Johns Ace Hardware store.

At that time, though, with my financial situation and the economy what it was, it just wasnt possible, he said from his new office in the 12,000-square-foot steel-frame metal building that is being converted into Glenwood Springs new hometown hardware store, in the words of the 6-foot-7 Lindsey.

It took a year living in Arizona with his wife, Meg, and their daughter, McKenna, to get the plan together. He even considered changing his focus to sporting goods rather than hardware, and talked to some local investors about that prospect.

But John, the son of hardware man and retired longtime Cedaredge Lumber owner Art Lindsey, said he ultimately decided that hardware was in his blood.

The other thing he knew for sure, especially after that short stint in the computer biz, was that hes meant to be a merchant.

A Colorado native, Lindsey managed his fathers store in the mountain town of Cedaredge for four years before opening his own store in Glenwood Springs at age 30.

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Big John readies for return to hardware market