Cape True Value Celebrates 10 Years

When their video store tenants left in 2001, Lee and Melissa Wade who owned several storefronts in the Cape St. Claire shopping center knew exactly what the Cape needed - a hardware store. 

It was Melissa's job to find tenants for the commercial properties they owned.  Her initial plan was not to run a hardware store, but to interview and find someone who would.

Melissa and Lee met with several people who were interested in renting that spot and making a go of a hardware store, but none of them seemed to have a proven track record or the wherewithal to pull it off. 

After several months, she thought, "Why don't we just do it ourselves?" She told Lee, who was supportive, and that's how first became a part of our community.

Melissa, together with Wade's daughter, Liz Lewandowski in a joint ladies venture, went to the bank and borrowed funds to get Cape True Value started, and the business and community connection have been growing ever since.

Sadly, five years after Cape True Value opened its doors, Lee Wade became sick and passed away. But with Lee's business spirit, and the determination of two entrepreneurial souls, Melissa and Liz continued to forge on into the hardware business and grow Cape True Value to the more expansive and customer friendly store that it is today. 

"I have always wanted to own my own business and Cape True Value is, by far, my favorite thing I've done," says Melissa. "I love retail in Cape St. Claire. We know our customers by name and they know us." 

Melissa wakes up each morning looking forward to going to the store, and asks herself on her commute, "What can I do to make it better?"

One of the business values Lee impressed upon Melissa was the importance of giving back to the community. Cape True Value has always been a generous supporter of community events such as the Strawberry Festival, Breakfast with Santa, the shopping center trick-or-treating event, and many others.

Melissa says, "it is important to us to give back locally," and that Cape community events are "opportunities to see our customers and our staff bond together in a different element."

Melissa is so proud of the quality of her staff and hopes they know how much she appreciates everything they do. She says their demonstrated high quality customer service is a key to the success of their business. 

Some things to look for at Cape True Value include a tenth anniversary special and their "Ladies Night" in the fall with 20% off specials. 

By the way, Cape True Value is dog friendly! Customers are welcome to come visit with the furry members of your family.   

Now in their tenth year, Melissa says, "We've seen our share of ups and downs, have learned every lesson possible, including some very hard ones. But I wouldn't change a thing. All of the challenges have made us better and stronger."