From hand tools to homemade fudge

If the walls could talk at 250 East Second Street in Orchard, Nebraska, they'd have more than 100 years worth of stories to share.

Built in 1910, the building has housed a cafe, a liquor store, a Gambles retail store, and many things in between. Most of its life, it's been a general/hardware store of some kind.

With some help from friends, the previous owners, and the Center for Rural Affairs, Heather Blackmore opened Corner Hardware and More Orchard Fudge & Candy Shop in October 2022. Getting to that point was an interesting journey for the first-time business owner.

Paying homage while pavin...