Spirit Hound announces pending purchase of Clark’s Hardware, keeping it local
June 20, 2023 – Lyons’ local businesses Clark’s Hardware and Spirit Hound Distillers announce the pending purchase of Clark’s property at 4100 Ute Highway by Spirit Hound Distillers. For Spirit Hound, the chance to gain space to grow in their beloved town is a giant blessing.
We started our craft distillery in Lyons because all the founders lived here, and we realized the huge potential of operating from one of Colorado’s coolest small towns,” says Neil Sullivan.
Clark’s Hardware has been a mainstay in Lyons for more than four decades, providing much needed pieces and parts for many projects. Lon Clark has been working at the store since opening in 1978, first as an employee, and then as an owner with his wife Trudi and brother Joe, when they purchased the store from Ted and David Gullikson in 2000.
When they listed the business for sale, they “wished someone would continue their legacy, but it just hasn’t happened. I am pleased that it is staying local and in good hands. It is hard to operate a small-town business in the modern world of box stores and on-line delivery,” says Lon Clark.
“No one is going to lament the loss of our local hardware store more than me,” says Craig Engelhorn, co-founder of Spirit Hound. “I visit that store multiple days a week, and the availability of local hardware is incredibly convenient. I consider Lon to be a good friend; someone I’ve come to know from frequenting his store for 26 years. We see this purchase as mutually beneficial: Spirit Hound gets some much-needed space for our growth, and Lon gets to retire after serving his community diligently for so many years.”
“We would like to take this time to thank our customers who have supported us over the years and the community of Lyons. It has been an emotional decision, but one we knew we had to make. We will miss our customers and the town we grew up in, but it is time to retire and spend time with family. We wish Spirit Hound the Best of Luck!” The Clarks… Lon, Trudi, and Joe.
Good luck down the road to you Clark Boys, yes I say boys, simply because it was, your Dad who helped me so much when he was involved with his, AI Service!
Next, came Lonny at Ted’s, and then as the owner, manager of Clark’s Hardware for many years, when I
lived in the Lyons area.
Your store will be missed greatly by all of us in the community. Thank you for your many hours of service to us all, especially the Austins. How many times have you saved a project with just the right
part to finish! Then in the flood you stayed “open” to help…Thank you!! Best to you…many happy hours ahead…enjoy Sally Austin, The Felts, and Burtons and Sam