Now, 50 years later, the business will be celebrating a half-century serving Tonganoxie with Friday’s Lumber Games.

Brooke Park, who currently owns and operates Himpel Hardware with husband, Joe, said Monday that reaching 50 years collectively as a business seemed to be the perfect time to invite the community to help commemorate the half-century mark.

“It felt like a milestone that needed to be celebrated with the community,” Brooke Park explained. “That’s the only reason we’re here.”

The couple took over the business Jan. 1, 2023, after Charlie and Sheri Ussery owned and operated the business for 40 years (Jan. 1, 1983).

Bo and Ona Himpel were the original owners when the business got its start in April 1974.

The storefront and warehouse spanned roughly 5,000 square feet near Fourth and Pleasant streets in 1974. Since then, it has grown to cover more than 17,000 square feet.

On Friday, the space will be the epicenter of activity for the Lumber Games celebration.

In honor of a half-century in business, Himpel Hardware will sponsor its Lumber Games from 5-8 p.m. Oct. 18 near the business at Fifth and Pleasant streets.

An inflatable featuring “axe throwing” will be on the grounds alongside other yard games.

There also will be food and drink options, including beverages from Outfield Brewery in Bonner Springs.

Local band Blast Monkeys will perform and there will be 70s music featured during the event as a nod to the business’ beginnings in the mid-1970s.

Tonganoxie Community Historical Society volunteers will offer a cake walk for 30 minutes during the event, Juniper Farms will be selling pumpkins and Dennis Bixby will be showcasing his woodworking. The family friendly event will also offer facepainting.

Joe Park, who graduated from Tonganoxie High School in 2008, originally started working at the store some 20 years ago when he was studying at THS.

Brooke Park graduated the same year from Basehor-Linwood, but the two didn’t meet until both were at Kansas State University.

While Joe had many years with the store, Brooke settled into what has become the family business after graduating from K-State with a journalism degree.

She worked for a media organization as a digital strategist before joining the Himpel Hardware team.

“A lot of skills I learned carried over,” Brooke explained.