One of the most vivid memories I have from my very first visit to Tryon, was meeting Mr. Cowan of Cowan’s Hardware Store. Specifically, I remember him asking me if I wanted to hear him do his, “train whistle.” He had a little smirk on his face like he knew he was about to blow my mind. As I watched him struggle to get that sound out, I got the sense he was still holding on to a time that has long since passed.

When I brought my family to visit Tryon to try and convince them that this was the place for us, I dropped by Cowan’s again hoping that Mr. Cowan would do his thing for my son who was two years old at the time and just loved trains. As Mr. Cowan opened up his mouth and that sound starting coming out, my son covered his ears, started crying and we had to dash out of the store, unfortunately cutting the train whistle short – so much for nostalgia.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago, when I first heard the news that Cowan’s Hardware Store was closing it’s doors. I was sad, as I knew we’d be losing another piece of the fabric of old Tryon.

Sure, the local, independent hardware store business is becoming harder and harder with all the big box stores and the internet but, Cowan’s represents so much more than just an old hardware store. It represents a connection to times gone by when Tryon was a hustling and bustling place. Trade Street was a destination, not somewhere you just passed through on your way to somewhere else. Cowan’s Hardware may be the last remaining survivor of the old Tryon.

The Cowan family has been here for generations and they have always been an integral part of our community. The Cowans took risks when no one else would. They have kept that hardware store going for years even though it may have been easier and less expensive to just shut it down.

I never really got to experience Cowan’s Hardware during its heyday, but I can imagine it was a pretty special place. A place where Mr. (or Mrs.) Cowan would help you find whatever it was you were looking for. And, if they didn’t have it, they would order it for you or help you figure out a way to do the job anyway.

Here are a few things I’ve learned from the Cowans:

• Relationships matter
• Greet people with kindness
• Thank your customers for doing business with you
• Honor and remember the past
• Work hard to bring a smile to a child’s face. Bonus points if it’s not your child.
• Take risks
• Do your part to improve your community
• Be a good neighbor
• Be yourself
• If Mr. Cowan offers to do the train whistle for you, let him.