Depot -

Bernie felt the heat of the Georgia summer, but it was nothing compared to the fire in his gut. Just over a year ago, he and Artie had been unceremoniously fired from their jobs, told they were finished in the hardware business.

They changed tactics. They turned the front of the store into a classroom. They started hosting workshops, showing customers how to fix a leaking toilet or lay tile themselves. The message was simple: You can do it, and we can help . Bernie felt the heat of the Georgia summer,

The doors opened on June 22, 1979. The shelves were stocked with 25,000 different products, from lumber to light fixtures. But the real secret weapon wasn't the inventory—it was the orange apron. They hired passionate plumbers, electricians, and carpenters to walk customers through DIY projects, not just sell them tools. Opening day was… quiet. They turned the front of the store into a classroom