Welcome to our small corner of "Almost Heaven" West Virginia. Berdine's Five and Dime has been in continuous operation in Harrisville, West Virginia since 1908. Today we continue our celebration of simpler times gone by where shopping was fun and like a visit with good friends.
Our family, the Six family, has been the owners of Berdine's since purchasing it from Fred W. Berdine in 1983. When we acquired it efforts to modernize and “compete” with newer and chain stores had lead to decline. We removed much of the modernization: out went fluorescent lights, flower power bright plastic contact paper hiding older, darker solid oak counters came off, the classic bins and price labels on the bins were dug out an put back in use. The electric cash register went as did many other “improvements.” Time rolled backward.
Originally it was brothers Dean and “Bub” Six who purchased the store but in the years since, their mother, Eleanor, has become active in operations and, at various times, so has everyone in the family including the now grown grandchildren, Samantha and Rob.
Our family, the Six family, has been the owners of Berdine's since purchasing it from Fred W. Berdine in 1983. When we acquired it efforts to modernize and “compete” with newer and chain stores had lead to decline. We removed much of the modernization: out went fluorescent lights, flower power bright plastic contact paper hiding older, darker solid oak counters came off, the classic bins and price labels on the bins were dug out an put back in use. The electric cash register went as did many other “improvements.” Time rolled backward.
Originally it was brothers Dean and “Bub” Six who purchased the store but in the years since, their mother, Eleanor, has become active in operations and, at various times, so has everyone in the family including the now grown grandchildren, Samantha and Rob.
Store Manager Karen Harper
Store Manager Karen Harper began working for Fred Berdine upon
completing high school. When the Six’s acquired the store a few short
years later Karen remained. Thank goodness. Karen has often been the
person most customers and visitors associate with the face of the store.
Her easy people skills, light hearted chatter and real ability to connect
with folks have made many visitors feel like they are family. Indeed she
exchanges Christmas cards and notes with several families and
sometimes their now grown children.
Also on the Berdine's help staff is Janet Bogen, Mary Margarette Smith and at times friends and family of us all! Come see us and learn for
yourself!
completing high school. When the Six’s acquired the store a few short
years later Karen remained. Thank goodness. Karen has often been the
person most customers and visitors associate with the face of the store.
Her easy people skills, light hearted chatter and real ability to connect
with folks have made many visitors feel like they are family. Indeed she
exchanges Christmas cards and notes with several families and
sometimes their now grown children.
Also on the Berdine's help staff is Janet Bogen, Mary Margarette Smith and at times friends and family of us all! Come see us and learn for
yourself!