Kids help paint an Autism Speaks mural with fine artist Georgeta Fondos during Hand’s
80th Anniversary Art Open House at Hand’s Office & Art Supply in downtown Delray Beach.
Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star
Lonnie Cook Jr., who died in 2012, paused to look at a photo of the store’s founders.
2008 archival photo provided
By Christine Davis
People often remark that “Hand’s has it,” said owner David Cook. “Or they’ll say, ‘You are the only one who has it,’ so I answer, ‘Come here first!’ ”
Hand’s Office and Art Supply, at 325 E. Atlantic Ave., has been a fixture in Delray Beach since 1934. While Hand’s marks its anniversary each year with a big sale in January, this year Hand’s made it extra special, celebrating its 80th with a poster-painting event, “Artists for Autism,” which benefited Autism Speaks.
You see, Jimmy, the 7-year-old son of Hand’s longtime employee Maureen Wacha, is autistic and needed a new banner for the March 2 “Walk Now for Autism Speaks” event and Hand’s stepped in to help.
“Hand’s is always active in the community. Besides its involvement in the town’s changes and politics, we like to have some fun, too,” said the store’s manager, Liz Hughes. “Our business theory is as old as we are, (providing) what a town’s citizens and visitors need or want. Even at 80 years old, we will still do our best to get it for you.”
To give a little of Hand’s history in a nutshell: The company was started as a bookstore by Lauren Hand, who also served as the city clerk and treasurer and was a managing editor of the Delray Beach News. Lonnie Cook Jr., whose grandfather came to Delray Beach in 1911, bought Hand’s in 1964, and passed it on to his son, David Cook.
By the time David was in 10th grade, he was helping deliver office furniture and unloading boxes of office supplies. After studying business at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, and working a few years out there, he returned to Hand’s.
“I came back in 1987, April 1; that’s why I remember it,” he said, adding that he feels like he’s been at Hand’s his whole life.
His first projects included implementing an in-house computer system, doubling the store’s Hallmark area, and expanding the furniture line.
Since then, many other changes have come about.
“We were always known for our unique gifts and fun stuff, and we’ve expanded that in recent years to include more touristy items. Of course, we try to find the unusual,” he said. “Retro would be a good word. We have pink Steno pads and No. 1 pencils are big — they are hard to find. The biggest thing we’ve done is in our art department. We’ve always sold art supplies. But now, we are a full-line art store, since the town has more art classes and art students.
“The office furniture department has dwindled away. Since everyone doesn’t need a desk at home, we put less emphasis on them and we’ve added things like drafting tables.” (Some advice from Cook on buying a comfortable desk chair: “You have to test-drive chairs. Don’t buy a chair without sitting in it.”)
Other notes about what you’ll find at Hand’s: Filofax, a day planner system, continues to be popular. Inventory in the Hallmark gift shop has been upgraded, and customers will be seeing even more really nice gift items. Fun Florida-themed Christmas cards have continued to be very popular (“We go to great lengths to make sure they don’t have snow on them,” Cook said). Hand’s also has added a bedroom furniture line.
Coming up on March 8 is Hand’s “Paint Delray Day,” when people can join Palm Beach Plein Air Artists as they paint the town red and other colors. Mark your calendars for this event, and if you don’t have a 2014 calendar yet, Hand’s is sure to have one you’ll like.
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