The Company was founded in 1890 by Jacob and Julia Swartz, European immigrant grandparents of Michael Swartz who is President of the Company today. In those early days, the business was like a general store that stocked seed, fertilizer, toys, sleds, and all manner of hardware and fasteners, plumbing supplies, and industrial tools and parts for local mills and manufacturers. Nails were purchased by the 100 lb. wooden keg, and there were fireworks on sale for the Fourth of July.

Over the years, the business stayed in the family. Michael’s father Gerald and his Uncle Eli joined the Company. Julia outlived Jacob and continued to work at the Store. Stories of that time describe her sitting on a nail keg outside on the front stoop in the summer, holding court with her customers, helping with their personal as well as their hardware problems. In the winter, the pot bellied wood stove in the middle of the Store served as a gathering place in the community.

Michael joined the business in 1970, became partners with his father in 1985, and became sole owner in 1992. In 1993, the business became a member of True Value Company, operating as Swartz True Value. The increased buying power afforded by joining this cooperative buying group made the Store more competitive in both product offering and pricing.

Over the years the layout of the Store changed many times. The most dramatic change was as a result of a devastating fire that occurred on New Year’s Day, 1970, which left the main selling area totally destroyed. Michael had just joined the Company, and one of his first major assignments was as general contractor in charge of the rebuilding. The project would see the Store sales floor double in size and allowed for modernization for the first time in 30 years. Improvements continued into the 1980s when the Store was totally re-fixtured with a new design and layout. In the mid 1990s, the old warehouse was converted to the current hardware room and receiving and bulk sales area. In 1998, pallet racks, semi-live skids and a new receiving door were added to the warehouse. The conveyor belt to the new basement storage area was installed in 1999.

In 1999, Swartz True Value again completed a major expansion when the retail space formerly occupied by Middlesex Office Supply and later, by a bookstore became available. The paint department was relocated into this newly acquired space. While the new space was under construction, Store staffing was realigned and operational and financial systems were assessed, updated and upgraded. The result inside the Store was a new look, including a new, active California paint department, and an updated, professional outlook.

In 2005 the Benjamin Moore Paint line was added. This required a huge increase in floor space for the new paint department. The hardware department was moved to its current location and the receiving area and new space were completely remodeled to accommodate the addition of Benjamin Moore to the California Paint line. The investment has proven to be a very good move for the Company.

In the summer of 2007 the Swartz True Value website was extensively modernized. The whole format was reinvigorated and included the addition of an eCatalog. Customers are now able to shop the store 24/7 and place orders online for delivery or pickup.