SLO County hardware store’s first employee retires after 66 years: ‘He’s a true inspiration’

A Grover Beach hardware store lost its first employee last month, when he stepped down after more than six decades on the job.

Miner’s Ace Hardware hosted a retirement party for Wally Lewis on July 15.

Lewis was hired at the Grover Beach store in 1956, and had worked alongside Miner’s owners Lee and Glen Miner since 1958.

Before moving to the Central Coast, Lewis worked for Abe and Bee Miner — Lee and Glen’s parents — at the first Miner’s Ace Hardware location in southern California.

The Miner’s Ace Hardware chain has since grown to nine locations, seven of which are located in San Luis Obispo County.

Lewis, who recently celebrated his 95th birthday, was a familiar sight at the Grover Beach Miner’s location.

“The staff who were lucky enough to have worked with him will tell you, you couldn’t find a more knowledgeable hardware person anywhere,” Miner’s Ace Hardware company President Paul Filice told The Tribune via text.

“He’s a true inspiration for many generations here at Miner’s,” Filice wrote.

Lewis was immortalized in stuffed toy form in 2019. Now kids can play a game of Where’s Wally? while their parents shop, in exchange for a “wally pop” — as the store calls lollipops — at the check-out register.

Looking back at his 66-year career, Lewis said he will miss the relationships he made with his coworkers and regular patrons of Miner’s.

“It was a long time in one spot, that’s for sure,” Lewis said. “I kind of hated to retire because I got to talk to people and enjoy them all.”

Lewis said he now wants to spend his time working on his stamp collection and visiting friends at the Elks Club.