Dads 4 By Tool & Supply, has created a store to showcase an impressive inventory of sheds and machines

Dads 4 By Tool & Supply, has created a store to showcase an impressive inventory of sheds and machines. The owner, Ben Gates, bought the property next to his business last year. He bought the property, dug it out, cleaned it up and put stone down. “I don’t have room for everything yet,” Gates said. “But we’re gaining on it.” The St. Johnsbury location was built in 2003.  Gates purchased the company in 2007. At that time, Dads 4 By had two employees, plus Gates and his wife, Kristen. Around 2009, they added a location at 10 Railroad St. in Wells River. Gates’ brother Watson runs that store. Now, the business employs over 15 people between the two stores. Gates says Dads 4 By’s independence makes them unique from other area hardware stores. “We’re locally owned and family-owned,” he said. “We buy all the stuff directly from the manufacturers which gives us a little bit of a price advantage. We’re not part of a franchise or big buying group and that gives us a lot of flexibility.” Gates says they’ve increased and expanded what they sell a lot over the years.