The True Values Behind the New Village Country Hardware Store

Sarah Young has lived everywhere, from New Jersey to Connecticut to the Deep South to Colorado. But as for our little country town, she says there’s no place like home, and there's no home like Ramona. She loves our community as much as she loves everything gardening. She also believes in the new True Value Village Country Hardware store in San Diego Country Estates and its new owner, Frank Hines, so much so that she came out of retirement to work there alongside her husband, Gary. And this is exactly the kind of dedication and outlook that make a local business thrive.

With Spring in full swing, everyone is eager to get outside and get to planting. Should anyone have any gardening needs, Sarah is your go-to girl. Working in the Gardening Center at Village Country Hardware, she is no stranger to florae. Her grandparents had farms, so knowledge and care of plants has been a lifelong interest for her. “I’ve been involved with plants my whole life, even when I was in corporate America. So this is like a dream for me.” She is passionate about sharing her enthusiasm with customers, to the point where she will visit their homes to get an idea of what their visions for their gardens and yards are. “We’ll sit and talk about what they’re looking for, and I’ll help them design different areas. I’m also currently writing up workshops and classes for different things. And I’m always asking customers what they want to know more of or are interested in learning about.”

Sarah says Frank works harder than anyone she’s ever seen, and she is impressed with his determination and vision. “Frank has been phenomenal in supporting any ideas we have.” Plans include a retail section of the store for gift items such as windchimes, candles and birdfeeders, and utilizing the surrounding land to put in a nursery, which would save residents from having to go down the hill. “As far as the Garden Center, it’s going to be as full service as we can possibly make it as fast as we can possibly make it. Frank is very serious about this being a community service and tremendously open to ideas.”

One of the many tips Sarah has for gardeners is about soil fertilization. “After the rain we’ve had, especially for any container plants, you’ve got to fertilize. Because every time it rains, it’s washing out the nutrients from your soil.” She also says the right fertilizer is essential. “Don’t go putting Miracle-Gro on your tomatoes.” Of course, if you have any questions or even tips, everyone is welcome to come in and chat. “We have a community board with tips and photos of what people did with the plants they bought.”

The store’s team is also reaching out to local schools to help them with their gardening projects. “We’re trying to get involved with helping beautify the community in whatever way we can.” Sarah says it’s understandable that the public may be skittish after several closures. “But we’re committed to being here. We’re going to listen to your ideas. And we’re going to grow together.”

For all your hardware and gardening needs, questions, ideas and suggestions, be sure to stop by SDCE’s Village Country Hardware store. All people and pups are welcome.