The call came in
at five o’ clock …
NOT FOUND: fire_in_nh.jpg.jpgA steady black stream of smoke appeared on nightly newscasts.
The Supply Hardware building was on fire with flames leaping from the roof. 40 or more fire fighters responded and according to those on scene – it was far too dangerous to enter into the building.
For years faithful neighbors and customers came to the Supply store for their hardware needs. Long vacated, 3525 Elkhorn Blvd is now a charred shell of the former business housed there. In recent memory, before the company moved to the newer Ace location just three blocks away, the business was owned by Dale and Patsey Ahlers. “Highlands Sales” was the only hardware store in the area for decades. Those who recall days gone by know the Ahler’s history.
Dale Ahlers was in the United States Air Force and moved from his childhood home of Yuba City to McClellan in the 1950’s. While working as a civilian employee then for Aerojet, he spearheaded a family business, Highland Salvage.
NOT FOUND: fire_in_nh2.jpg.jpg“My father and brother and I built the building (at 3525 Elkhorn) when I was about 14 years old,” says Gary Ahlers, son to Dale and Patsey. Construction was completed in the late 1960’s.
The store was leased out to a number of different businesses: a boat shop, then the Tire Barn. Eventually “Highlands Salvage” moved in with eventual offerings of building material and new items in plumbing, electrical and hardware. Over the course of several years the company went from a small time to an over 1 million a year gross profit.
“He built it up, the family built it up. We did a lot for the community – my dad was very personable.”
Dad Dale made donations to local schools and fire departments. He would help businessmen and those who couldn’t always make good on accounts for supplies. The older Ahlers would work out payment plans and offer whatever advice he could to help.
Mom Patsey, an amateur artist, was the book keeper at Highlands Sales and handled customer relations. She could match people’s paint colors by eye – long before computerized color matching.
It was during treatment for prostate cancer that Dale sold the business to Ace. He passed away about 15 years ago, wife Patsey within the past 6 years.
Gary keeps his dad’s entrepreneurial spirit alive. He now manages commercial property along with his wife and 3 kids with offices in Rio Linda. His wife currently runs Baze Storage which stores RV’s, travel trailers and boats located in North Highlands.
Hard work, dedication and the belief that there are good people in every city; it’s a legacy that is true to the Ahlers and to North Highlands. Along with a history that withstands the damage done by the devastating fire in May. Gary says it was relationship that makes the landmark building a story in itself.
“We had a big family. The whole community was our family.”