All American Store Owner plans to rebuild America one purchase at a time
By Mike Woody For the Courier
For too long Mike Petro dismally watched the downfall of the U.S. economy and work force, so he decided to do something about it. He and business partner Dennis Cunningham opened the All American Store with the plan to rebuild America one purchase at a time.
Every purchase made at the All American Store not only benefits the consumer but positively impacts the United States of America by providing work for domestic manufacturers. Success of a franchise of stores can change the whole U.S. landscape by creating jobs rather than eliminating them.
"When you buy a product here, you're not just saving a dollar or two but supporting your country and not a foreign worker. When you buy foreign-made products you support foreign countries, foreign workers and foreign economies. They grow and you don't," said Petro.
Celebrating its grand opening on Memorial Day, All American Store, located at 6140 Chambersburg Road, offers Huber shoppers the chance to actively participate in rebuilding America.
"If we get 10 percent of the Huber Heights population to think about supporting the workers of their country, before going to another store to give money to a foreign land, then great things can be done," said Petro.
Nowhere in Ohio does such a wide inventory of American-made products exist, ranging from hand tools to blue jeans. Every item is tagged, verifying it was made or assembled in the United States. If an exception is found anywhere on the shelves, Petro promises the item will be free.
The All American Store carries the largest selection of domestic nuts and bolts and is the only area hardware store where they all originate within the U.S. Plumbing materials can also be found, including Delta faucets.
"Go anywhere else and they will have the faucets from China. We are very unique in having only U.S. made products," said Petro.
Petro spent 18 months collecting the inventory and adds to it everyday. Many manufacturing companies have been thrilled to contribute to the effort; Rayovac creates batteries especially made for the All American Store, and Wilson Bohannon, of Marion, Ohio, has a display of padlocks that aren't available anywhere else in the country.
Also on hand are Hinkle rocking chairs, gliders and porch swings, made in Tennessee. Petro says the exact same Hinkle merchandise is sold in neighboring stores but made in China.
"We support the workers in Tennessee. Money from the other places goes to foreign lands," he said.
Another popular brand is Prison Blues, whose durable double-knee style jeans are actually made by inmates in the Oregon state prison.
Any painting needs can also be met at the All American Store, which offers color matching and a range of paints from $10 to $34, including Pratt and Lambert brands.
Though the All American Store has a wide variety of items, one constant is their 'Made in the USA' label, which supports Petro's goal of building-up the country's work force.
"We are here for the American workers, for the families they have to support, and for the communities in which they live, in the greatest country in the world."
Huber is the second All American Store locale, with the first opening in Brookville in April. Plans are currently being made for a third location, and Petro hopes to eventually have stores all across the country.
"It all depends on if the shoppers want to support an American-based store or not. They have a choice now and can think about where they want their money to go," said Petro.
As Abraham Lincoln said, "I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him." And so, there is the hope that consumers will choose to rebuild America, one purchase at a time.
