Chamber spotlight: Enoch’s open for business in Rockford

 

 

By Christa Jennings

Senior Staff Writer

 

A new member of the Chamber of Commerce, Enoch’s Hardware Bait and Tackle seems like a dream come true in the heart of Coosa County for those with plumbing jobs and other household projects in the works.

The store opened on November 3, 2025, and had its grand opening on December 13. However, owner Chris Crumbley just recently joined the Coosa County Chamber of Commerce to help spread the word about his business.

Like its owner, even the name of the business has ties to the town with deep roots. The store is named after Crumbley’s great-grandfather, Enoch Sallas, who was a well-known handyman and fisherman in Rockford and the husband of Mavis Sallas, a local historian and well-known member of the county’s Historical Society.

Crumbley explained that Enoch’s is primarily a plumbing, electrical and hardware store, which can help supply several needs. However, the store goes beyond that for its customers, as well.

The store carries a selection of power tools, Rada cutlery and feed and seed for chickens and horses, as well as deer feed for hunting season.

Among the services provided, Crumbley said they can also cut or copy keys at the store. He can also cut car keys, but the customer has to buy and provide their own blanks for those.

Enoch’s also offers some items seasonally, such as plants, seeds, potting mix, and top soil in the spring, as well as deer corn during hunting season.

While those are the main items the store carries seasonally, it also carries winterization items such as faucet covers, pipe insulation and pipe-heating cables. This allows area residents to shop locally to prepare for the upcoming winter months.

The store also carries a wide selection of tackle and live bait, such as worms and crickets, for fishing enthusiasts.

In addition to the array of products available regularly, Crumbley said special orders are also available. He invites people to come see them or call about something they are in the market for, adding that they are glad to find what people need.

Crumbley said that his most requested product is simply general plumbing parts, with his top sellers also being plumbing supplies for new homes, home remodels and repairs.

He added that they carry enough supplies in the store for a plumber to plumb an entire house, offering a host of plumbing supplies.

When asked what he likes about operating a business in Rockford, Crumbley said, “It keeps me connected with the people and the location. I’m not here to become a millionaire. I’m here to become a part of a place that I was born and raised, and I want to be able to give back to Rockford and give them something they haven’t had in many years, and just bring a sense of community back through the hardware store by keeping people here and not having to travel outside of the greater Rockford area, a place I hope to call home again very soon.”

He added that he enjoys the interaction with people at the store, as well.

However, he said the most challenging thing has been foot traffic and getting people to the location, especially as it sits off of U.S. Highway 231.

“[It’s challenging] trying to get people to understand that we can take care of you here; we do have what you need, and if we don’t have it, we try our best to get it,” Crumbley added. “Give us a chance to do your major projects. But just getting people through the door has been the hardest thing for us.”

Despite the store being open nearly a year, he said that several people still come in who live in the Rockford area and say they did not know his store was there.

“My biggest challenge is getting my name out there, getting the business out there, so people will know I’m here,” he said.

When asked what the most rewarding thing about having the business is, Crumbley said, “The most rewarding thing is getting to know people. Seeing people every day, forming a relationship with the town. Growing and learning a lot of things about people and what they need.”

Crumbley is proud to be a new member of the Coosa County Chamber of Commerce and appreciates everything it does to help support local businesses and encourage citizens to shop locally.

Regarding what led him to decide to join the Chamber, he said, “An opportunity to join an organization that’s built towards helping the community in ways of business. So if someone needs something they’ll know they can find me. I know a lot of people like to go on there and look and figure out what businesses are in the area, and it’s an opportunity for people to be aware. I appreciate the Chamber’s ability to do that. They’ve been doing a good job of sharing my things on Facebook, as well.”

In reflecting on his time in business and especially operating a business in rural Coosa County, Crumbley recognizes and emphasized the need to shop locally and support local businesses in the area so that they can remain open to serve area citizens without them needing to leave the county for basic needs.

“Shop local,” Crumbley said. “I feel like every business in Rockford needs to be yelling that at the top of their lungs: shop local.”

Crumbley and his wife, Jillian, have been married 10 years and have two sons, James and Zachary. The family resides in Alexander City, where they have lived for eight years.

However, Crumbley said he was born and raised in Rockford on Liberty Hill Loop, where he lived until he was 25 years old when he got married.

In addition to running the local store, Crumbley serves as pastor of New Providence Baptist Church, where he has preached for eight years.

Enoch’s Hardware Bait and Tackle is located at 304 Jackson Street in Rockford, in the green building behind “The Coosa County News” office and near the County Courthouse. The store is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays.

The only holidays the store is closed are Thanksgiving and Christmas, with it remaining open during other holidays to help meet customers’ needs.

For more information, call Enoch’s at 256-329-4330 or email enochhardware2025@gmail.com, and for regular updates on inventory see the store’s Facebook page.