Business In Focus: Family-Owned Mainstay Fort Lee Hardware

One of the oldest remaining family-owned businesses in Fort Lee and s staple in the borough since 1947, and Supply Co., Inc. is convenient, reliable and dependable and much more than simply a hardware store.

Store owners and brothers Terry and Bruce Holtje have whatever you may need at any given moment, and if they don’t, they will get it for you.

This home and garden, home repair and improvement, hardware and tools, manufacturing and industrial store supplies customers with quality paints, yard accessories, lighting and electrical gadgets, kitchen supplies/accessories, aluminum and solid oak floor moldings, door locks, nuts and bolts, light bulbs and more. They even refill fire extinguishers and duplicate keys.

The business started with Harry Holtje, Sr. (1905-2003), who after working in Palisades Park for 25 years, opened the original Fort Lee Hardware in 1947 where the restaurant Mo Pho is now located. The store was approximately 300 square feet, affording him little room for his merchandise--the overstocked merchandise was sold from the sidewalk.

His sons took over the store in 1972.

“Bruce and I are ex-chiefs of the Fort Lee Volunteer Fire Department, taking up much of our time in the past years," Terry said. "During that time we have made numerous life-long friends and have made many connections that have made it all worthwhile. Many of our employees have gone on to be borough police officers. Our store has become a go-to place, an in-house meeting place, it’s like family.”

Terry has made personal sacrifices throughout the years. He expressed how “working through the ups and downs of business, including the good times and bad times, always come down to keeping our customers’ inquiries, requests and friendships first."

"Sometimes putting my own life on hold, our focus has always been on helping the people in the community," Bruce said. "Keeping people happy and satisfied is always our main concern."

Asked if communication is ever an issue given Fort Lee's diversity and changing demographics over the years, Terry said, “People from all nationalities come into the store. When there is a barrier, I find hand motions and body language work.”

The advice from the Holtje brothers for other business owners: “Whether selling somebody a screw for 15 cents or a lock for $100, people get the same service from us. If we don’t have it, we tell them where the nearest place is to get it. No matter how much time it takes, we treat everybody equally."

"I would rather not sell somebody something if it's the wrong thing," Bruce said.

Terry said that the current economy, including high gas prices, fuel surcharge, stop charges added on to deliveries and the arrival of the big box stores have affected their business. But still catering to the borough and  surrounding towns, they have persevered in spite of the emergence of places like Home Depot, Lowe's and other home improvement stores.

There are three full-time and two part-time employees at Fort Lee Hardware, located at 214 Main St. They can be reached at 201-944-3006.

Harry Holtje, Sr. (1905-2003)

Holtje, Sr. was present at the groundbreaking of the George Washington Bridge in 1931 as well as the opening of the lower deck of the GWB in 1962. Mr. Holtje Sr.’s older son, Harry, now 81 years-old, was the first baby to be ‘strolled’ across the GWB in a baby carriage.

Holtje, Sr. was a former president of the Fort Lee Chamber of Commerce (1968-1969), receiving a chamber award in 1994 for outstanding service and dedication to the community of Fort Lee. He also served as president of the Fort Lee Athletic Club, the Fort Lee Housing Authority aned the Fort Lee Rotary Club, where he was recognized with the Paul Harris award the highest honor a Rotarian can get. Holtje Sr. is recognized for outstanding achievement, participation and support from the Fort Lee Fire Department and was recognized as Honorary Chief in 1982. Tur-Serve Corp., a hardware association, honored his service with a Man of the Year award in 1997.