Euston family celebrating 40 years in the hardware business

Euston Hardware expanded to the Village Shops in 1979, eight years after opening its first store.

Kevin Euston can still remember the 14 hour days stocking shelves in preparation for the opening of his family’s hardware store at the Village Shops.

His brother Tom had a 1-month-old to take care of — but the schedule required to get the store ready for its grand opening didn’t allow the family to spend much time at home.

“We had the baby in a bassinet, and kept it on a shelf while we were working,” Euston said. “A low shelf.”

That was in 1979, eight years after Kevin’s father Ken opened the family’s first store at 103rd and State Line, in the location presently occupied by Jasper’s Restaurant. Forty years after opening their first store, the family is still in the business, with four locations throughout the Kansas City metro area.

The Village Shops store was the family’s second, and Kevin says the decision to make the expansion here was an easy one.

“We didn’t do any research or anything,” he said. “We didn’t feel like we needed to. It’s a great area with deep roots, and we just knew a store here would take off.”

Euston is holding a two-day sale Saturday and Sunday commemorate the 40th Anniversary.

“We’re trying to have 1971 prices on things,” Kevin said. “But some stuff — like lightbulbs — costs about as much today as it did back then.”