The Hardware Building was constructed originally in the late 1800s and early 1900s by the George A Lowe hardware company.

An early fire destroyed the building and many surrounding businesses.  With insurance it was rebuilt and a state of the art fire sprinkler system was installed along with a 60,000 gallon supply tank.  The large rock posts foundation of that tank still exist on the East side.

The George A Lowe Hardware Company was a dealer in heavy hardware (boilers, wagons, engines, agricultural equipment) and used the main two floors for inventory.  As far as we can tell the upper floors were storage and until today have not been used for an active business.  During the peak economic times for Ogden it was a resource for businesses and families to use technology to improve their lives and operations.  

A few furniture stores moved into the space during the 1940s and 1950s from what we understand.  Until about 2010 it was vacant at which time and in conjunction with an overall downtown Ogden redevelopment plan, the Thomas family purchased and remodeled the building sufficient for occupancy again.  With retail on the main level and offices on the upper three it is again a vibrant and significant part of the fabric of downtown Ogden.  With the help of Vaughn Jacobsen and Miller Jacobsen Construction, Mountainwest Architects, and many other incredibly talented and dedicated construction companies the upper floor was transformed and preserved into incredible office space that offers all the modern amenities without losing the history and character this building has gained over the many years.

Stop by and see it and some of the pictures and historical items we have assembled, as well as original beams, hardware, and tar-finger notes made by the original contractors from the early 1900s.  It has become an outstanding part of our downtown again and is ready to serve families and small businesses for many years to come.

As a CPA, John Peterson has served families and small businesses in the Ogden area and beyond for about 20 years.

His father, Arthur Dan Peterson, started the family CPA practice in the late 1940s.  During Dan’s career he always maintained his CPA practice, but was entrepreneurial in many other ventures.  He owned a Studebaker dealership, built homes, did roofing, carpet, did land development, and other investments in and around Ogden.  His favorite of these businesses was Dan’s Homaterials located at 28th and Grant.  Prior to the big box home improvements stores, this venture allowed average families to acquire the materials, tools and knowledge to build their own homes.  He would extend credit at very favorable terms to help the families build sweat equity in their first home until they could qualify with that equity for a mortgage.  Families were always his priority in the various talents he could serve them with, including of course his own.  

The entrepreneurial spirit did not end with Dan and continues with John’s dedication to serve the families and small businesses they own through his practice.  The Family Business Center is the expansion of that service.  Seeing firsthand the needs of small businesses in the community, the Family Business Center puts together ideas and infrastructure to meet those needs.  The two biggest hurdles for most family businesses to grow beyond a small operation are getting out of their homes and hiring employees, and the risks and investment inherent in both.  When the opportunity arose with a move of the CPA practice to downtown Ogden additional space was acquired to create the first Family Business Center in Ogden!  This venture provides an opportunity to greater serve the families of Ogden through education, support and resources this center provides.  We envision a regular presence of professionals that serve that specific market combined with various stages of young companies that can benefit from the interaction and synergy such a combination creates.

As a CPA and seeing into the finances and situations of many clients over the years in various ages and stages of life, family is the only goal that really leads to happiness.  The Family Business Center helps members improve upon their talents and skills to better attain their family goals.  Self-reliance, real education and resourcefulness are among the many attributes gained through entrepreneurial ventures.  The greatest venture of all though is family.  We try to be sure that can always come first and that the other activities always stay focused on the improvement and strengthening of the family unit.

John & Melinda Peterson have always called Ogden home.

Melinda’s parents were both highly involved and employed with Weber State University.  Both John and Melinda attended Grandview, Mt Ogden, Ogden High and Weber State University.  After marriage they invested in Melinda’s flower shop and helped to grow that business until family came along.  Melinda is a full-time mother of four children and continues to flourish in seeing the development of each of her children.  

The family loves the outdoors, tennis, and Ogden.  They have been involved with many non-profit organizations in the community including founding members of GOAL, the Ogden Dinosaur Park Foundation, the Rotary Club, and organizing efforts to bring the RAMP tax benefits to so many other local organizations and our community.  They have remodeled and lived in two homes on Marilyn Drive on the East bench of Ogden, and love that community there and the unique homes and craftsmanship of each one.

They are excited about the opportunities the Family Business Center has already provided for friends and family to enjoy the benefits it offers.  Family comes first for them, and they actively encourage and support others in that goal.  Ultimately the greatest joys in life come through family relationships.  The family is the central unit of our culture and community.  All that we do in business, service, and our community should support the family, all families, and that should be the guiding principle on which all decisions are made.  

The entrepreneurial spirit did not end with Dan and continues with John’s dedication to serve the families and small businesses they own through his practice.  The Family Business Center is the expansion of that service.  Seeing firsthand the needs of small businesses in the community and what they need, the Family Business Center puts together ideas and infrastructure to meet those needs.  The two biggest hurdles for most family businesses to grow beyond a small operation are getting out of their homes and hiring employees, and the risks and investment inherent in both.  When the opportunity arose with a move of the CPA practice to downtown Ogden additional space was acquired to create the first Family Business Center in Ogden!  This venture provides an opportunity to greater serve the families of Ogden through education, support and resources this center provides.  We envision a regular presence of professionals that serve that specific market combined with various stages of young companies that can benefit from the interaction and synergy such a combination creates.

As a CPA and seeing into the finances and situations of many clients over the years in various ages and stages of life, family is the only goal that really leads to happiness.  The Family Business Center helps members improve upon their talents and skills to better attain their family goals.  Self-reliance, real education and resourcefulness are among the many attributes gained through entrepreneurial ventures.  The greatest venture of all though is family.  We try to be sure that can always come first and that the other activities always stay focused on the improvement and strengthening of the family unit.