Hardware stores play a vital community role in small towns. Sarah Coltrain, owner of Coltrain Hardware in Ayden, N.C., understands that. She says her store’s new “produce picking” stand is all about helping townsfolk in difficult times.
“People need each other, and we’re missing that,” Coltrain told local WNCT News about her free vegetable stand. “During the pandemic, we saw just a separation of relationships. Food is the number one way to bring people together, so what a way to say, hey, you’re my neighbour, I love you, here’s some vegetables.” The stand is run by volunteers and is part of a partnership with a new community garden in the town.
