[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 120 (Thursday, September 22, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1931]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     IN CELEBRATION OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF McGUCKIN'S HARDWARE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 22, 2005

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the 
50th Anniversary of McGuckin's Hardware Store in Boulder, Colorado. 
McGuckin's is a landmark in Boulder and has long had a very special 
reputation for stocking hard-to-find items.
  McGuckin's was opened in 1955 by Bill McGuckin, a rugged outdoorsman 
and avid fisherman. The store originally consisted of only four 
employees and four departments with a business ethic based on Bill 
McGuckin's belief in personalized service, selection, and first-hand 
experience. In 1960, Dave Hight joined his father-in-law, Bill, as a 
partner, and together they committed themselves to fostering McGuckin's 
well-deserved reputation as ``the Greatest Hardware Store in the 
World.''
  After Mr. McGuckin's passing in 1966, Mr. Hight continued the 
excellent service and selection offered to customers. His company 
continued to grow over the next 50 years, and today, this 
independently-owned business has prospered to employ 315 individuals in 
all its operations. In addition to its 60,000+ square foot sales floor 
with over 200,000 items for sale, there is a Design Center and a 
Distribution Center nearby to meet every customer's need. You name it, 
they have it. When there's a problem with something they sell, they fix 
it. In the unlikely event they don't have that particular something for 
which you were looking, their knowledgeable, experienced staff knows 
where to order it and does so with a friendly manner and without a 
fuss.
  Not surprisingly, McGuckin's has developed a loyal and devoted 
clientele. Boulder's Daily Camera readers have voted it ``Best Hardware 
Store,'' ``Best Locally-Owned Store'' and ``Best Customer Service.'' 
``Best Customer Service'' is an understatement; McGuckin's employees 
are beyond comparison. They wear green and are found in almost every 
aisle. You can still find Dave Hight in the middle aisle. They give 
plain, old-fashioned, perfect service with no hovering or hard-sell. No 
matter which department they work in, they all know where everything in 
the store is located.
  McGuckin's quality service doesn't stop with humans either; this 
store welcomes pets on-leash too. As dog-lovers on my staff will tell 
you, most of Boulder's best-behaved dogs and puppies began refining 
their social skills by shopping in McGuckin's pet supply department. 
Employees dressed in green will greet customers and their pets and will 
often ask permission to give the dog a treat. While I have never tried 
one, I am reliably informed by pet owners that if you give permission, 
the most ``delectable tidbits'' come out of those green smock pockets. 
McGuckin's is, therefore, not only a big hit with people working on 
their week-end home improvement projects, it is also popular with 
Boulder's canine population.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in acknowledging David 
Hight and his employees for their commitment to uniquely serving their 
customers. If you're ever visiting Boulder, I hope you'll have the 
chance to go to McGuckin's. You won't be sorry and you won't find any 
store like it in this day and age. I congratulate David Hight and all 
the employees and their families on this 50th Anniversary and wish them 
good health and happiness in McGuckin's future.

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