Small-Town Store, Big-Time Revitalization at Howard Walker’s True Value Hardware

Cory Martin and Julie Walker-Martin share lessons they learned from transforming the historic Olsen-Stelzer Boot & Saddlery building into Howard Walker’s True Value Hardware, which helped revitalize downtown Henrietta, Texas. 

In downtown Henrietta, Texas, the past has found new life inside a building that once echoed with the rhythmic thump of mallets, the rasp of files on boot soles and the clatter of tools and murmur of craftsmen shaping hides into saddles. The former Olsen-Stelzer Boot and Saddlery, a landmark from the early 1900s, now hums with the steady rhythm of a modern, well-stocked hardware store. Reimagined as Howard Walker’s True Value Hardware, the 12,000-square-foot space stands as a thriving retail operation—and a living memorial. 

Owners Cory Martin and Julie Walker-Martin spent nearly two years refitting and restoring the historic building, transforming it into a cornerstone of Henrietta’s rebounding downtown. More than a new store, Howard Walker’s True Value is the Martins’ way of honoring Julie’s late father, Howard Walker—a beloved math teacher and pastor who devoted more than six decades to serving the Henrietta community. 

“Dad was just a beloved man in this county—everybody knew him,” Julie says. “He was a lifelong citizen, and not a day goes by that I don’t try to make him proud. I want people to look at our store and remember him.” 

A Downtown Revival 

When the couple began planning the store, they considered other locations, but the pull of Henrietta’s historic downtown proved too strong. “At one point we thought the cost to remodel the Olsen-Stelzer building would be too high,” Cory says. “But we realized coming back downtown would help revitalize the area. It was where we wanted to be in the first place.” 

The renovation, which began in 2023, was anything but simple. The building, pieced together in stages since the 1950s, needed everything from its ceiling to foundation replaced. The project kicked off at a time when it was difficult to find contractors, and the building had historic architectural elements whose restoration required special skills. 

“We had to find specialists just to rebuild some of the arches,” Cory says. “It took almost two years to clean up the building and bring it up to code.” 

Inside, many echoes of the past remain. The couple preserved the original fire door and uncovered murals that had been hidden beneath layers of plaster. On the exterior, Cory researched the building’s original paint and lettering to restore the Olsen-Stelzer name to its historic look. 

“Everyone in Henrietta has a story about this building,” Julie says. “People come in and tell us about the boots or saddles they bought here, or the family member who worked in one of the departments. It means a lot to keep that history alive.” 

The couple has even discussed creating a small in-store museum with photos and artifacts from the old saddlery. “It was something important for the town,” Cory says. 

A Labor of Love—and Memory 

Howard Walker had planned to help with the store after retiring. 

“He wasn’t going to run the store but be more like a greeter,” Cory says with a smile. “He loved people. As a pastor, he liked meeting everyone in town, and that’s what he would have done here.” 

When Howard passed away in 2022, the couple decided to continue the project in his honor. 

“We could have started a scholarship in his name,” Cory says, “but this way, people will never forget him or his legacy. His name will go on forever.” 

Julie took over management of the store in October. “I absolutely love it—it’s a lot of work, but I love it,” she says. Like her father, she’s known for her warmth and connection to customers. “Old farmers come in and tell me what they’re working on, and I really want to know. That’s what small-town hardware is about.” 

The store’s customer service philosophy was deeply influenced by Howard’s example. “Dad was always kind to everybody,” Julie says. “We’re not going to lose a customer because of our service. Carrying things out to someone’s car or taking the time to listen—those are small things that matter.” 

True Value’s Guidance 

From planning to grand opening, True Value played a critical role in the project’s success. “We had some hurdles to jump, and the True Value team helped out tremendously,” Julie says. She credits Territory Sales Manager Kellye Waller and her team for “everything from project management to merchandising, paint and training.” 

“They really do honor their members,” Julie says. “They were willing to listen to our ideas. We couldn’t have done it without them.” 

Cory echoes that sentiment, noting the ways True Value’s support team made the overwhelming process more manageable. 

Rooted in the Community 

Since its grand opening on April 12, 2025, Howard Walker’s True Value has become part of downtown Henrietta’s revival. Once dotted with empty storefronts, downtown is now more than half full again—and the hardware store has been a major catalyst. 

“People tell us all the time how happy they are that the store is here,” Cory says—and its community involvement extends far beyond retail. “We’re involved in everything: barbecue teams, the baseball parade, the [Future Farmers of America] and Turkey Fest. Keeping Howard’s memory alive means being part of the town, not just doing business here.” 

Julie agrees. “I wanted shopping local to happen again. When I was a kid, downtown was always active—you could walk to stores, see people you knew. Now we’re seeing that come back. There’s a big pull from younger generations, too. They’re supportive of local businesses and want Henrietta to thrive again.” 

The 12,000-square-foot store carries everything from plumbing and electrical supplies to farm and ranch goods, with plans to expand its equine offerings. “We’re developing strong niches and a great contractor base,” Julie says. “Every week we grow stronger.” 

As they manage the business, they find ways to serve their community and improve operations. “I was really surprised by how well wildlife licenses and sporting goods have sold,” she says. “We didn’t expect that to be such a steady category.” 

Through it all, the store’s purpose remains clear: to serve the town Howard Walker loved. “Not a day goes by that his name doesn’t come up,” Julie says. “I continue to feel his presence here. He would have been thrilled to see what we’ve built.”

5 Remodeling Lessons from Howard Walker’s True Value 

Bringing a historic building back to life takes patience, planning and a willingness to adapt on the fly. Based on their experience renovating the 120-year-old Olsen-Stelzer Boot & Saddlery building, Cory Martin and Julie Walker-Martin share five takeaways for other independent retailers. 

Have patience—and a budget buffer. “When you open one thing up, something else pops out,” Cory says. “You have to have money set aside for the unexpected.” 

Preserve what makes the building special. Julie advises keeping original features whenever possible. “We kept the mural, the arches and even the old fire door,” she says. “Those details connect the store to the town’s history and give it character that people recognize.” 

Lean on your co-op team. Julie credits True Value’s guidance as essential. “They walked us through every step—merchandising, hiring, training, everything. Their willingness to listen made all the difference.” 

Engage with the community early. For both owners, being visible and involved is essential. “You can’t just open your doors and wait for people to come,” Cory says. “Get out there—sponsor events, talk to people, make them feel part of it.” 

Find joy in the process. “Don’t lose sight of why you’re doing it,” Julie says. “For us, it was about honoring my dad and helping our town. That’s what makes all the hard work worth it.”