Four generations of Crocketts serve communities' needs

For four generations, the Crocketts have been in the hardware and lumber business. In 90 years, the family has evolved from a small neighborhood hardware store to running three Do-It-Best Hardware Store/Lumber Yards and two Design Centers in the Clearwater Valley and Camas Prairie, with each generation bringing something new to the table.

In 1928, Oren Crockett bought an interest in the J M Bryant store with John Bryant. John Bryant was father to the late Vera Werner and Maxine Musiel of Orofino. After the death of their son William of typhoid fever, Oren and his wife, Nell, moved to Riverside, CA. In 1930 they returned to Orofino, bought out the interest of John Bryant and started Crockett Hardware.

Three years later, at the height of the Depression, Oren added furniture to the variety of products he already carried to further meet the needs of his customers. He ran the business as Crockett's Hardware and Furniture by himself until his son, John, became partner in 1945 after returning from the service.

In 1947, Oren retired and John became owner and manager. John continued running Crockett's Hardware and added a lumberyard when he bought Orofino Builders Supply in 1958. He ran both stores until 1965 when he consolidated everything into the current store on Riverside Ave. He incorporated the business in the early 1960's and took on Frank Schoeffler as a partner until his retirement in the early 1970's.

Orofino Builders Supply burned to the ground at the present location on April 14, 1970. John, Frank and crew rebuilt the entire store themselves. Those in the crew besides John and Frank were Lowell (Dick) Bashaw, Sonny Mitchell, Irv Foster and Homer Noah.

Steve Crockett, John's second oldest son, joined the business upon the re-opening in September of 1970. Leila came on board in September of 1973. Shortly thereafter Steve's brother, Doug Crockett came home and he became a partner with Steve. In 1990, they added a second location to the family business with the purchase of Grangeville Builders Supply. Steve and Leila became sole owners in 2005.

Steve and Leila's youngest son, Will, moved back to Orofino in 2005 and worked as operations Manager for all their stores.

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