After three generations of Mankes serving the Moorcroft area at Quality Hardware, the big quonset building on the west end of town, Ted and Rhonda Manke have sold the property and plan to retire within the next couple of months.
The business is not traveling into hands unfamiliar to residents, though; CJ Sandquist, Danya Schutt and Shannon Sandquist of CDS Supplies Inc have been supplying components for the local oil field industry since 2013 and were seeking an opportunity to expand their business.
Customers need not worry that the business will change the services and supplies offered. CJ assures those concerned, "Everything's going to stay the same."
However, there will be necessary additions for the expanding business CDS is bringing to the enterprise,
"We also have oil field supplies that we're bringing into it," CJ says.
Vern Hooser is now working in the garage for tire and oil changes on both personal vehicles and semi tractors.
A new benefit CDS offers that is of particular note is 24/7 road side tire and fuel services; drivers may call 307-680-9276 for help.
The women began working in the oil field business under the auspices of their father, Ron Sandquist of Firesteel Well Services, another local business that began in 2013.
"My dad was selling oil field supplies and he finally told us kids to take over and see what we could do," CJ explained. "When it started, we would go refurbish stuff and it just keeps getting bigger."
Ted will be training the CDS owners how the business has run for decades until the end of March, according to Schutt, making the transition easier for the Sandquists, Schutt and customers.
"We want to run it like they ran it," says CJ, "And that's what the locals want, also."