There were several lumber and hardware establishments in downtown Conway at one time but two of the most memorable were City Lumber and Massey Hardware. City Lumber closed its doors in 1989 after 62 years while Massey Hardware closed in 1998 after 56 years.
City Lumber was the smallest of about five lumber companies in Conway. Ed Halter, Sr. Felix Balmaz, and his brother, Gabe Balmaz, opened the business at 1311 North Street in 1927. In 1962, Ed Halter, Sr., the Balmazs’ brother-in-law, sold his interest to his son, Ed, Jr. who co-owned the business with his uncles until it was sold to Jim Balmaz, Gabe’s son, and Dean Guenrich in 1979.
