At the time, Myerstown’s West Side of Railroad Street bustled with activity thanks to Behney’s Horse Auction, a well‑known business that drew people from miles around. Wilhelm understood his audience. Specializing in carriages and harnesses, he stocked the saddles, wagons, and equipment that auction visitors needed. It was smart merchandising rooted in local knowledge, and it paid off. The business prospered. 

     As transportation and technology evolved, Wilhelm’s evolved with it. In 1918, the store began selling cars, a bold move that reflected the changing times. The business continued to expand, offering the household goods and supplies families depended on in the early 20th century. 

     During the 1920s, ownership passed to Wilhelm’s son, Earl Wilhelm, who broadened the store’s offerings even further, adding radios and other modern conveniences. Earl eventually sold the car dealerships to Lee Webber, but the hardware business remained a cornerstone of the community. In 1953, Arthur DeLong and his partner George Brandt purchased Wilhelm’s Hardware from Catherine Wilhelm. DeLong gave his word to keep the Wilhelm name—a promise that honored the store’s roots and legacy.

     For Art DeLong, hardware wasn’t just a business—it was a lifelong calling. He grew up in the trade, starting as a child in his grandfather’s store in Manheim, Pennsylvania, where his first job was cleaning spittoons. At Wilhelm’s, DeLong worked 12‑hour days, six days a week, and loved every minute of it.

Growth followed. In the 1960s and 1970s, DeLong added stores in Reading and Pennbrook. In 1971, Wilhelm’s expanded again with a new location at 1805 East Chocolate Avenue in Hershey, Pennsylvania, extending the brand’s reach while maintaining its hometown feel. 

     In 1985, Art sold the business to his son, Dan DeLong Sr., continuing the family tradition. Dan had started in the Myerstown store and, in 1971, became manager of the Hershey location. As owner, he faced—and overcame—numerous challenges along the way. Through vision, perseverance, and steady leadership, Wilhelm’s continued to grow into one of the region’s leading businesses of its kind. 

     Dan Sr. remains very much a part of daily life at the Hershey store, often stopping in to lend a hand. But as he steps back from the day‑to‑day operations, the next generation has taken the reins. His son, Dan DeLong Jr., now leads the business, committed to maintaining the legacy and small‑town charm Wilhelm’s has long brought to Hershey. Built on the dedication of Dan’s loyal staff, Wilhelm’s endures as far more than a store, offering generations of customers the reassurance of expert advice and the kind of “fix‑it” know‑how that only time and tradition can create.

     At the same time, Dan looks ahead—continuing to expand services, products, and sales channels to better serve customers both near and far, while staying true to the values that have defined the store for decades.

     More than a business, Wilhelm’s stands as a testament to adaptability, hard work, and the enduring value of keeping one’s word—qualities that have defined its success for nearly a century and a half.