In 1958, Art II bought Max Press’s land and tore down their store to build the new location for Smith and Bishel. During the build, the Bishel’s inherited thousands of buttons from what was the Press’s tailor shop. Wooden nickels, stamped with the business’s name, were made to help promote the new location that was designed by Art II and his brother, Robert. The nickels could be used to buy items in the store.
While owning the store, Art II, his brother, and their father, Sherman, pioneered new ways of building stores. They added a wedge shape to allow for more storefront. To ease the hassle of inspections that came with an elevator, they installed an I-Beam to lift items to the second floor. They also designed the office up four steps upwards to allow owners to see their entire store. This tactic was copied by many other businesses.
As Art I grew older, his son and grandsons took over more of the business. Sherman, Robert, and Art II called themselves the FBI, standing for (My) Father, Brother, and I (being Art II). Eventually it would be only the three of them when Art’s grandfather passed away in 1947. Three years later, Art II would officially start working in the store as a seller.
Art II had nine stoic years running the business until the redevelopment plans in Middletown began in 1959. In short, the town’s plans would have jeopardized the standings and physical location of Smith and Bishel Hardware. Art II and the other Bishel’s were heavily against it and followed it closely until its final and third vote which spared their business. Art II states that his father kept every article written about the matter and saved it in a scrapbook.
Despite adversity, the Bishels have held their own. In 1991, Scott Bishel, Art II’s son, took over management of the store from his dad. When times were slow, they thought on their feet. Art II suggested that they start cutting keys to expand the lock and key aspect of the business. Soon they were cutting over 200 keys a day, all of them etched with the renowned Smith and Bishel name.
Art II stayed in the business until 2000 when he retired and moved to Florida with his wife. In 2021, Art and Pat moved back up north into Heritage Commons.
The name Bishel and further, Smith and Bishel, defines a humble legacy. Art II, like his father and grandfather before him, have all been family men. They liked mundane things, and for Art II in particular, it was editorials such as the Podcasts of Yesterday. They taught their sons the trade and together, learned how to overcome any obstacle. They lived and are living full lives in the comfort of friends and places such as Heritage Commons.
