One of the oldest businesses in Felton celebrated its 37th anniversary on Oct. 1.
Felton Paint and Hardware’s history stretches back to the early ’60s, when Eldred Bows and his wife opened a small paint and hardware store across from what is now Rite Aid. Then in 1977, Don Walker of Ben Lomond purchased the store with his brother Leroy.
“I worked for the San Jose Unified School District on the operations crew and commuted over Highway 17 for 11 years,” said Walker. “I was ready for a change and always wanted to have my own business. Since I knew something about painting, I thought owning a paint store would be a good fit.”
The old-fashioned facility was a paint store that carried pet supplies. It had dusty homemade shelving stacked with everything you needed for painting.
When Montezuma’s Restaurant went out of business in 1983, Walker purchased the building and moved his store to its current location. He also bought his brother’s hardware store next door. They combined the merchandise and eliminated pet supplies.
That same year, Walker married a local girl named Linda Mitchell, who also works in the store.
“The kids all helped out as they were growing up,” said Walker. “Now they’ve got their own lives.”
In the successive years, Felton Paint and Hardware has enlarged its inventory. They’ve added two more rooms to house work clothes and paint supplies.
As I entered the store, I noticed everything from ladders and shovels to pickax handles and Websters hanging from the rafters. A wide assortment of miscellaneous hardware hung from pegboard which lined with the walls. There were also dustpans, barbeque grates, hammers, saws and many unfamiliar items.
I commented that this looked like a man’s store, with dusty old bins filled with nuts, bolts, washers and, of course, nails. Walker explained that not only have expansions in inventory led to an increase in female shoppers, but the hardware and paint business itself has become more accessible to women.
“When I bought the store, most of my customers were men,” he said. “Now we probably have as many women as we do men. Women usually look for paint and materials for home repairs and projects.”
Felton Paint and Hardware also participates in outreach to various community causes. Walker was president of the local Lions Club until it disbanded several years ago.
Now, the store lends its support to San Lorenzo Valley High School’s Grad Night by donating materials such as mismatched paint. Another event that they help sponsor is Race Thru the Redwoods — the annual 10K trail run in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.
“I’m a big advocate of diet and exercise,” said Walker. “I used to play football and baseball, but now I spend more time watching sports on television,” he added.
One of Walker’s greatest achievements has been his participation in The Healthy Way, a local weight loss company.
“Today I’m a new man.” Walker said. “I went to The Healthy Way in 1997 and lost 154 pounds in 10 months! I’ve been able to maintain and am now more energetic and physically fit than I was at 45. I haven’t slowed down and am working harder than ever.”
As for the future, Walker said, “I enjoy helping people improve their homes and just want to do as much as I can for as long as I can.”
Felton Paint and Hardware is located at the corner of Highway 9 and Graham Hill Road in Felton. Store hours are 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. They are also open on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
