50-year legacy comes to an end as Clampitts retire from hardware store

Hannah Styles

hstyles@thesmokymountaintimes.com

Can you imagine being married for 47 years and spending upwards of 10 hours a day with your spouse… every day? Well that seems to be the formula for success for Monty and Diana Clampitt, who are a well-known staple in Bryson City.

After graduating from Western Carolina University in 1973, Monty returned home to buy the family business, Clampitt Hardware from his dad. Although he and Diana both grew up in town, they didn’t begin dating until Diana returned from college in 1974. After that history was made, as they wed in 1975 and began running Clampitt Hardware together.

Diana said although they’ve always worked together, that their jobs are on opposite sides of the business.

“We work on different sides of the business, and we just stay busy with our own job. They don’t cross over too much,” Diana said about working together all these years.

When news came that Monty and Diana would be retiring and selling Clampitt Ace Hardware, it saddened us all, although they will still be keeping N.C. Clampitt Hardware company, which they refer to as “the old store” and Charleston Station, an antique store.

Since 2013, Monty has never taken a vacation day off, and has frequently opened on holidays, snow storms, and for locals who had an emergency. Clampitt's retirement will hopefully result in some well-deserved rest after all these years of hard work and dedication to the town.

After retirement, Monty plans on working on their farm.

“I’m going to work on catching up on things I haven’t had time to do on the farm and around the house. I used to raise hay, garden, and I have some timberland that needs attention, since I haven’t had time all these years,” Monty said.

Diana will continue to work part time in “the old store” and Charleston Station, their antique store.

“He’s going to go to the farm, to have an excuse to get away from me,” Diana laughed.

Although the Clampitts are ready to retire and Monty is looking forward to not working 10+ hours a day, they are also sad to leave the business that has been their life for the past four decades.

“It’s bittersweet, we’re going to miss the people, employees, and customers. We have wonderful employees,” Diana said.

According to Monty, the new owner said that any of the current employees who want to continue their job, have a job and that the bigger company will provide benefits and retirement plans.

The Clampitts are thankful to Bryson City for allowing them to serve the community all these years.

“We want the community to know that we appreciate your support and business and hope you continue to support the new owner,” the Clampitts said.