Saturday Business Spotlight: Saturday Business Spotlight: Johnson's True
Value
[July 05, 2025] Just
off Route 121 in Mount Pulaski is a locally owned hardware store called
Johnson’s True Value that offers personalized services and a
knowledgeable staff.
Doug Johnson is both owner and manager
of Johnson’s True Value. Besides Johnson, there are
seven other employees.
Johnson has been in business since 1996, when he bought
the store from Farmer’s Grain. At that time, Johnson was
looking to start a business. In a local paper he read
that Farmer’s Grain was for sale. Johnson said he was in
the right place at the right time.
For many years, the store was on
Washington Street near downtown Mt. Pulaski. In 2021,
the store moved to its current location at 501 East
Chestnut Street in Mt. Pulaski.
When asked why he chose the current
location, Johnson said the building had sat empty and
unutilized for a few years. It became economically
feasible for him to purchase the building and Johnson’s
True Value was able to double its space.
Being close to Route 121 also brings the store more
awareness and visibility. On one side of True Value is a
Dollar General store. Just across the parking lot is
Davis Dairy Bar.
Johnson’s True Value has several sections with a variety
of products including automotive, boating and marine
supplies.
For people with pets, there is a section with pet
supplies, pet food, bird feed and supplies. People who
have larger animals like cows and horses may find what
they are looking for in the farm and ranch supplies
section.
Those who enjoy cooking and baking can
find cookware, bakeware and canning supplies. If cooking
out is more your style they also have grills and
accessories
In the Garden Center, gardeners can
find fertilizer, grass seed and many other supplies for
gardening needs. Outdoor Power Equipment can help you
keep the outside of your house nice.
People who enjoy being outdoors can also find camping
gear and lawn chairs.
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If you are working on your house, Johnson’s True
value has plumbing and electrical supplies, faucets and repair,
concrete and cement and windows.
In another section, there is a variety of hardware and tools
including hand tools and power tools that will be useful when you
are doing projects.
If you are just trying to organize your house, look in the section
that has what you need for storage and organization. The many
cleaning supplies in the store will help you keep your house clean.
These are just a few of the many items that you can
find at Johnson’s True Value.
Services offered at the store are listed on the store’s website.
These services include window repair, glass cutting and repair,
screen cutting and repair, plexiglass cutting, pipe cutting, key
cutting, lamp repair, paint color matching and paint mixing.
Specialty services include faxing and dropping off items for UPS
pickup,
fishing, hunting and trapping Licenses, pipe threading, gift
certificates
pipe threading and special orders.
Renting equipment is practical when you are doing a special project,
moving large items or getting ready to plant. Equipment you can rent
at Johnson’s True Value include a refrigerator dolly, lawn roller
and fertilizer spreader.
As their website says, “we're proud to be a member of the True Value
family, and we're here to serve our community. Whether you're a pro
or taking on a DIY home improvement project for the first time,
we're right here in your neighborhood with the expert advice, tools,
equipment and the products you need to get the job done.”
When it comes to the most popular goods and services at the store,
Johnson said lawn and garden would be the top one. Next would be the
plumbing and electrical sections since many people renovate their
houses.
Johnson’s favorite part of owning a business is independence. True
Value gives him guidance but does not have stringent requirements
for how he runs the store. True Value also supplies many of their
products.
For Johnson, the most rewarding part of owning a business is having
a store in a small town where he knows most customers by name. He
builds relationships with these customers and often knows their
need.
The advice Johnson would give to someone looking to
open a business in Logan County is that a business owner needs to be
very hands on. He said businesses with absentee owners will likely
not survive. Business owners need to see what is going on and adjust
when needed.
Johnson suggests getting to know customers and build trust and
rapport with them. Be patient as you start the business even when
you see small results.
Stop in at Johnson’s True Value in Mt. Pulaski and see what they
have. The store is open Mondays through Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to
6:00 p.m. and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
[Angela Reiners]
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