In 1979, the Yoder family purchased the business and changed the name to Yoder’s Shipshewana Hardware. Their first employee and manager was Winford Jones. During the 1980’s, Shipshewana began to evolve into a tourist destination due to the Shipshewana Flea Market and the expanding Amish community. Mr. Jones tried to stock items necessary for his local trade but also received requests for “products Grandpa and Grandma used to have” such as Aladdin lamps, sturdy wooden clothes dryers, pickling crocks, and stovetop popcorn poppers. The inventory mix began to evolve to fit both niches.
By 2003 the Yoder’s decided to sell their interest in the hardware and devote their time to their growing meat and cheese business. Mr. Jones, who was already a part-owner at this time, purchased their remaining shares and became the sole owner of the hardware store.
In 2004, Winford’s youngest son Nathan joined the business and began his own adventure in the hardware store with his father after spending three years in public accounting. Ironically, his future wife was already working at the store as a cashier in between her semesters at college. They met, got married and continue to work together in the family business alongside their father.
