This year, Trader Horn the "Original Idea Discount Store" will celebrate its 50th anniversary.

The corporate name, Harry Products, is named for Harry Greenberger, the father of owner Bob Greenberger. Harry and his brother, Eddie Greenberger, opened hardware stores in 1958 in Butler and Sharon.

The original Butler store, which was formerly Warehouse Sales, is on Route 422, west of Butler. After three or four additions to a building that started out as a feed store, that store is still operating and is relied upon by customers in the Prospect area.

After the death of his father, Bob took control of the business in 1968. In 1973, he decided to open a second store and call it Trader Horn.

That name was based on a book written in the 1920s and was suggested by the manager at the Route 422 store. The new store was across the street from the current location in the Greater Butler Mart.

The company moved into the former Gaylord's building in 1984. A third store, another Warehouse Sales, opened five years later on Route 8 in Penn Township and included company offices and a warehouse.

From there it expanded to the North Hills of Pittsburgh, New Castle, Eau Claire, Grove City, Ellwood City, Indiana, Kittanning and finally Clarion.

Several years ago it was decided to simplify the marketing of the company and run the stores under one name, Trader Horn.

Trader Horn is a unique discount department store for hardline merchandise and employs close to 400 people year-round with more part-time workers in the summer.

The chain features a low overhead, no frills approach to selling a large inventory of plumbing, hardware, electrical, automotive supplies, paint, sporting goods, lawn and garden equipment and supplies, small appliances, pet and cleaning supplies, housewares, snacks, specialty foods and pop.

The larger Trader Horns have departments featuring craft supplies, home improvement, flooring, unfinished and prefinished furniture and more.

One advantage the Trader Horn stores have is that they can adjust the mix of products to suit the customer needs in a particular area. This is something that big national chains have trouble doing.

The more rural stores in Butler and Eau Claire have more of a general store flavor and carry expanded lines of products that serve the needs of the local customer.

The chain is also community minded. Over the years, it has supported various area charities. Currently the stores have focused much of their efforts toward shelters for abused women and children.

In addition to the company support, the employees have taken on special projects. On their own, employees started fundraising projects and even collected everyday necessities to donate to the shelters.

Hopefully the next 50 years will afford an opportunity for continued growth into other small towns in Pennsylvania and find more customers like the ones who refer to Trader Horn as "My Favorite Store."