While many businesses have come and gone in Gorham throughout the years, one has remained constant… Cook’s Hardware. First opening in Gorham in 1967, the 4,000 square foot store was originally called Casco Country Store and was owned by Phil Cook, Sr. and his business partner, Stan Sampson, Sr. They already had two other locations in Gray and North Windham.
The store was located where Burger King is currently housed and was managed by Cook’s son, Phil Cook, Jr. That same year, the company started a profit sharing plan. Speaking about the plan and the fact that many employees went on to stay with the company for years, Phil Cook, Sr. said, “…for a small company, it is one of the things that I am most proud of.”
Cook’s Hardware was recently sold to the Chandler family and now goes by Gorham Ace Hardware, but the Main Street building remains nearly unchanged after 40 years. Pictured above is the original owner, Phillip Cook, Sr. (left) and his son, Phillip Cook, Jr. (right).In 1977, after lease renewal discussions failed, the store moved to its current location at 57 Main St, the old Sampson Super Market Store. The 8,000 sq. ft. building was leased from Hannaford, and sold general merchandise such as Lee jeans, Arrow shirts, Jantzen bathing suits, and its own brand of ladies sweaters and flannel shirts.
During the 70’s, Cook, Sr. and Sampson, Sr. went on a local TV station using one-minute spots called the “Stan and Phil Show” to advertise their specials. At the time, Red Heart Yarn was $.88 per skein and flannel shirts were $2.99 each.
When Stan Sampson, Sr. retired in 1981, the families split the stores. The Cooks maintained ownership of the Gorham and Gray locations and renamed them Cook’s Country Stores. Phil Cook Sr., Jr. and Robert Cook continued to run the business and were joined by their daughter/ sister, Cynthia Cook Hawkes. Judith Cook joined Rob and Ron Crosby in the Gray store.
In 1987, Cook’s joined Ace Hardware and a year later, Phil Sr. decided to retire. Phil Jr. and Rob assumed ownership. (They later split ownership in 2002.) Hardware products became the best sellers at the store, and eventually, the decision was made to sell hardware exclusively. Profit sharing continued and more employees joined the successful business.
Cynthia Hawkes began managing the store in 1992 with Thad Moody. When interviewed by the Gorham Times in 1996, she reflected on the effect of mega-hardware stores like HQ to a small-town business, saying customer service was the key to their success. “Doing what the big places either can’t or won’t do is our specialty,” she said. “We gladly cut plastic and copper pipe to our customer’s needs. We’ll also put it in the car for them. Special orders are also our strong suit. We just ordered maple sap container lids for a local man who is preparing to tap his trees,” she added.
Cook’s Hardware has also provided a home to many young kids looking for a part-time job. The store has employed numerous high school and college-aged kids throughout the years. For one Gorham family, all three sons have grown up working at the store.
Speaking on his December 2016 retirement after 50 years in the hardware business, Cook Jr. said, “One of my proudest times is watching a young sixteen-year-old, nervous, and unsure of himself, grow into a self- assured young man,” says Cook Jr. “I will miss my fellow employees and our wonderful customers.” Philip Cook Sr, age 98, lives in a condominium in Portland and still loves hearing about the store on a daily basis.
Back in 1996, Cynthia Hawkes said, “There’ll always be a need for a business that takes good care of its customers.” Twenty-one years later and the same rings true. Hawkes continues to manage the store along with Ron LeBlond. Cook’s Hardware is now Gorham Ace Hardware but the tradition is sure to continue. (see previous article here)