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Cook Iron Stores history began in 1907 at Daniel L. Cooks blacksmith shop. Here Mr. Cook shoed horses, replaced wagon wheel rims and repaired buggies on Andrews Street in downtown Rochester. As the business grew Mr. Cook expanded his offering to include iron, steel, heavy hardware, paint, oil, welding equipment and a tire store. In 1935, Daniel Cook passed away and was survived by his wife Mary and son, Spencer. Along with his cousin Frederick Cook, Spencer took over the Cook Iron Store operations. In 1936, the Cooks purchased the Journal American Building at 128 St. Paul Street. With 70,000 sq. feet of office and warehouse space, Spencer had unknowingly made provision for an expansion that would take Cook Iron into the next millennium. In July of 1958, Frederick passed away and Spencer became sole owner. In 1962 Mr. Richard Alheim purchased Cook Iron Store and expanded into several different markets including, bottled gas, builders hardware and fireplace accessories. In 1964 the business grew to $300,000 in sales and Mr. Ahlheim, realizing the need for a General Manager, hired Mr. Ed Page away from Builtrite (Chase Pitkin). At the time Ed was the key figure responsible for bringing the Home Center concept to the Rochester area. In 1979, Richard Ahlheim passed away unexpectedly and Ed Page purchased the business to become its President and CEO. During his time with Mr. Ahlheim, Ed built the business substantially, and in the early 1980s made his two key managers (Ray Riley and Ed Staub) partners in the business. The three began selling off areas not consistent with Eds objective of becoming the largest Construction and Industrial Supplier in Rochester. Consequently, they sold the bottled gas business to Suburban Propane, the paint business to R.C. Shaheen and the fireplace business to Ted Collins (Cricket on the Hearth). Over time the iron and steel business was phased out as well, but the company retained the name and added the acronym CISCO to its logo.

 

Telephone: 1-888-77-43289
Website: http://www.heavydutystore.com/