Serving Denton, NC & Surrounding Communities


April 23rd, 2025


                                                 

Kountry Korner Hardware is closing its doors
 
By Kelly Bledsoe
Kellybledsoe1986@gmail.com
 
Kountry Korner Hardware is closing its doors, but as owner Ken Norris notes, when one door closes another opens up. What began in 1948 by Commadore and Glen Johnson has evolved into a thriving local hardware store with a great history. For over seventy years Kountry Korner has served the residents in the Denton community under various owners including Leroy Hinesly and Bobby Talbert, and most recently Ken Norris.
Sadly the established hardware store will be closing for good on April 27, and residents and workers in the area will sorely miss this iconic store.
Mr. Norris is sad to be closing the store, but his greatest takeaway from this endeavor is the extraordinary people he has met. Ken notes, “Having moved into this area basically blind I have been blown away by the support of my customers who have become my friends.”
There are so many fond memories of this establishment and it is with a bittersweet heart that this segment of Ken’s life is coming to an end. However, the end of this era is just the beginning of another. Ken plans to take a brief sabbatical with the Lord to reestablish his faith and then is optimistic for future adventures. Having been a hardware salesman for 33 years before becoming the latest owner of Kountry Korner, Mr. Norris loves people and is confident that he will find his next in life which includes exploring new interests and skills, identifying market opportunities, and testing his ideas.
Ken also acknowledges that he could never have been successful without the support of his employees that have become family. These employees include Rick Spoon, Ed Parnell, Steve Smith, R.P., Rita Steed, Nancy Skeen, Leighann Fox, Ronnie Covington and Craig Covington (deceased). Ken adds, “This family has been so good in so many ways and I will miss our daily interactions but keep fond memories in my heart.”
In a Facebook post written by his son in law Tim Crane, Ken expresses his gratitude for every aspect of this journey and so appreciates his “Customers for Life.”

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Community
To our loyal customers, friends, and neighbors,
After decades of serving the Denton community, it is with heavy hearts that we announce Kountry Korner Hardware will be closing its doors on April 27, 2025. This was not an easy decision, but one that had to be made.
For generations, this store has been more than just a business—it has been a part of your family and a gathering place for the community. We have been incredibly fortunate to serve the hardworking residents and local businesses of Denton, and we cannot begin to express our gratitude for your unwavering support, loyalty, and friendships throughout the years.
Whether you’ve stopped in for a simple fix, a big project, or just to chat, you have been the heart of Kountry Korner Hardware. We will cherish the memories, the stories, and the many relationships built within these walls.
While we are closing on April 27th, we still have a lot of merchandise available that needs to go before then. If you need supplies for your home, farm, or business, we encourage you to stop by while inventory lasts. We will open our doors one more time in May for a final markdown sale. Any reasonable offers will be considered. 
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for allowing us to be a part of your lives. We hope to see you in the coming weeks as we wind down operations, and we look forward to sharing these final moments with you.
With deepest appreciation,
The Kountry Korner Hardware Family


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