The doors opened on June 22, 1979. The shelves were stocked with 25,000 different products, from lumber to light fixtures. But the real secret weapon wasn't the inventory—it was the orange apron. They hired passionate plumbers, electricians, and carpenters to walk customers through DIY projects, not just sell them tools. Opening day was… quiet.
They changed tactics. They turned the front of the store into a classroom. They started hosting workshops, showing customers how to fix a leaking toilet or lay tile themselves. The message was simple: You can do it, and we can help .
Bernie felt the heat of the Georgia summer, but it was nothing compared to the fire in his gut. Just over a year ago, he and Artie had been unceremoniously fired from their jobs, told they were finished in the hardware business. The doors opened on June 22, 1979
They wanted to build a "depot"—a cavernous, warehouse-style, 60,000-square-foot behemoth that made other hardware stores look like toy shops. They wanted sawdust on the floor, skid marks, and prices so low they’d turn the industry upside down.
The Orange Revolution Setting: Atlanta, Georgia — June 1979 They turned the front of the store into a classroom
Tell the story of , who went from refugee to Regional Delivery Manager. Focus on the early financial struggles with Ken Langone. Which angle interests you most? Behind the Apron – Kevin's Story | The Home Depot
Slowly, the skeptical DIYers returned. Then came the contractors. Then, the lines started forming. The depot wasn’t just selling hardware; it was selling the empowerment to build one’s own dream, revolutionizing the home improvement world forever. If you liked this, I can: They were used to small
The first few days, customers walked in, looked at the massive, warehouse-style space, and walked right out, confused. They were used to small, dusty hardware corners. "We have to teach them, Artie," Bernie said.