“Shuck those peanuts out on our floor,” the 1975 advertisement entreated.

Peanut days at Yotty’s Hardware have been on hiatus these last few years due to COVID, but this year they are back. On December 7,8, and 9, Yotty’s again invites their friends and customers to “eat your fill of peanuts but leave the shucks.”

This Thursday, Friday and Saturday mark the 70th occurrence of Peanut Days, an event that began in 1950 at what was then Snair Hardware. Bart Yotty was a new employee then; he became partial owner in 1963 and was joined by son Steve in 1977. Today, Steve is in the process of passing the baton to his son Jordan.

In Bart’s time, 300 pounds of peanuts were set around the store in tubs, ready for customers’ consumption.

Stories from past issues of The Kalona News recount the diminishing quantity of peanuts purchased in following years. The amount was down to 100 pounds by 1994; 75 pounds by 2014. But this does not demonstrate a fading love for peanuts; donuts, popcorn, and coffee have been added to the offerings, and will be available this year as well.

From behind the counter at Yotty’s Hardware, Jordan explains that Peanut Days are “basically a customer appreciation day,” and that “it’s important for the store.” Customers shop the aisles while enjoying treats both salty and sweet and find an opportunity to converse with staff and each other.

“It’s usually busier than normal,” Jordan says, having grown up being a part of the annual event. “It’s fun. I like it.”

The staff have a habit of leaving the peanut shells on the floor through the weekend, if not longer. It takes time for the broom to capture every stray shell.

“There’d be peanut shells till Christmas,” Jordan says.

Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this storied and treasured part of Yotty’s Hardware. Visit the store on December 7, 8, and 9 and grab your fill of peanuts.

As the 1975 advertisement says, “We’ll be lookin’ for you all.”