Nuts and Bolts True Value Hardware has moved into a larger building, but still is located at 39^th and Noland Road.  If you know anything about the building; it's huge, approximately 46,500 square feet. In the past, part of the building was home to Price Chopper, CVS Pharmacy, Office Max and recently it was where the Dallas Night Club was located. Nuts and Bolts opened in October of 2008 and in October, 2010, moved from the south side of the building to the north side.

The store expanded from 19,000 square feet to 27,500.  This allows us to have a  wider selection of products and offer more services for our customers.  With the expansion the aisles are wider and the lighting much brighter for a better shopping experience.  We have been able to to expand the lawn and garden department to offer a greater and more varied selection of products.  The paint department has been expanded adding more color selections, the ability to match any color that a customer may want.  Power tool accessories have been increased to give a wider choice of quality products for the homeowner or the professional.  We will also begin to carry appliances such as refrigerators, stoves, washer and dryers and dishwashers.

There has been a remarkable increase in our business since we have moved. People can now see that we not only have nuts and bolts, but are a full service True Value Hardware Store with over 40,000 items.  Some of the many services that we offer are screen/window repair, we cut glass, keys, thread and cut pipe, lamp repair, small engine repair,  locks re-keyed, knife, scissor and saw blade sharpening and much more.

The moving of the store from one side to the other was a monumental task. We cut a hole in the wall and moved most of the counters with the stock remaining on the shelves, with the help of a gondola train that moves up to 40 feet of counters at one time. It was all moved within 24 hours and we didn't even have to close the store.

 Nuts and Bolts, employs 18 associates at its Independence location. The company, locally owned, was formed in August 2008 and opened its flagship store in Overland Park. There are presently four locations, the Independence location, two in Overland Park and one in Arlington, Texas, with more locations coming soon.

 The store is mostly promoted on the "Toby Tobin Radio Program," a Kansas City icon airing on Saturday mornings from 6 to 10 a.m. on 980 KMBC who offers advice and tips on lawn and garden, and house repair problems.  They also advertise with the Examiner and the Kansas City Star and their website, www.shopnutsandboltshardware.com.

 

Growing up next door to my grandparents brought the benefit of Grandma's home cooking.  Every day after school Grandma would lay a virtual feast out on a TV tray accompanied by cartoons on the television.  There's something about classic comfort food that makes you feel good.

That is the feeling I get when I eat at JoJo's Café & Catering.  JoJo's, located in the Gaslight Shopping Center, offers a variety of classic comfort foods.  Looking over the menu I have a tough decision regarding which entrée to select.  You can create your own gourmet sandwiches or choose one of their specialty sandwiches.  They have a traditional salad selection and diverse soup selection that includes JoJo's homemade chili, chicken noodle and ham and beans.  The  menu items that interested me most consisted of the luncheon plates.  This list was the most difficult to choose from because everything sounded so good.  From the Italian Tenderloin to Mom's Meatloaf, I stumbled upon the comfort food Mecca.  One item jumped out to me instantly, JoJo's Famous Fried Chicken.  

Fried chicken was my grandmothers' signature dish, so I had to test JoJo's.  The meal includes two sides and a dinner roll, biscuit or cornbread.  I decided to go with the macaroni and cheese and French fries as my two sides.  As the dish was set on the table I was in awe.  Both chicken breast were golden brown and fried to perfection.  What impressed me about the chicken was the subtle taste.  The chicken was lightly seasoned so that the main ingredient prevailed, the chicken.  The fresh cut french fries were a great combo with the chicken.  I've always been a macaroni and cheese fan and JoJo's did not disappoint. I grew up with thick creamy mac and cheese blends but JoJo's is the opposite.  Their mac and cheese accentuate the spices and the pasta giving the dish a distinctive texture and flavor.  Overall the dish is great for a comforting lunch.  The prices are very reasonable, my dish only cost $6.49.  The service at JoJo's is warm and inviting, almost like your home.

Besides serving breakfast and lunch, JoJo's offers catering.  Some of their catering services are:

Box Lunches and Office Catering

Wedding Receptions and Rehearsal Dinners

Celebrations and Parties

Club Meetings

Bereavement Meals

Holiday Entertaining

In Home Catering

Picnics and Bar-B-Ques

Next time you're in the mood for some great comfort food and a warm atmosphere, head to JoJo's Café and Catering.   JoJo's Café and Catering is located at 3419 S Noland Rd.  For more information on catering call (816) 836-7339.  JoJo's is offering a 10% catering discount for all Independence Chamber members!