Sophia Hertz
For more than four decades, Hertz Bros. Hardware has been a familiar fixture on Main Street in Carson, serving area farmers, ranchers and residents looking for everything from parts and equipment to tools and everyday necessities.
When longtime owners Keith, Nettie, Darcy and Jack Hertz decided in 2025 that it was time to retire and sell the family business after 44 years, the future of the Main Street store was uncertain.
That’s when Ted Schaff came into the picture.
Schaff, who has roots in Grant County, purchased the longtime hardware business and has since reopened its doors while also bringing his gunsmithing business to Carson.
Born in Bismarck, Schaff grew up in Otter Creek Township in Grant County until the drought of the late 1980s forced his family to relocate. The family settled in Ree Heights, S.D., and Schaff later attended Miller High School, graduating in 2003.
Before graduating, Schaff enlisted in the Army National Guard in 2002. He went on to serve for 20 years, including two deployments to Iraq.
An interest in hunting, shooting and firearms eventually led Schaff toward gunsmithing. After his second deployment, he began considering how he could turn that interest into a career.
“I kind of floated around for a while, worked in satellite communication for a little bit,” Schaff said. “But I had always had a passion for shooting, hunting and other weapons. So, I figured, why don’t I turn my hobby into a business?”
Schaff pursued additional education at Mitchell Technical College and Penn Foster before opening Northern Rebel Gunsmithing & Sales in Ree Heights in September 2014.
After more than ten years of owning and operating the South Dakota business, Schaff and his family decided to return to North Dakota, where they had familiar surroundings and family ties.
Initially, Schaff was simply looking for a building where he could reopen his gunsmithing business. After encountering difficulties finding a suitable location, however, the Hertz Bros. property caught his attention. In November 2025, the process of purchasing the property began.
The sale closed in June, allowing Schaff to reopen the hardware store and begin putting his own stamp on the longtime Carson business.
“Initially, all I wanted to do was my gunsmithing business,” Schaff said. “But I am very glad the hardware store is still open for the community. No one likes driving to Bismarck for simple needs.”
While maintaining many of the products customers have long relied on, Schaff is working to update and reorganize the store. Plans include improvements to the paint section, removing obsolete inventory and reorganizing merchandise to make the store easier for customers to navigate.
He is also looking for local contractors as he plans to reroof the hardware store and gunsmithing building, along with their awnings.
The hardware business remains in its familiar longtime location, while Schaff’s gunsmithing operation is housed in the former Maytag building next door.
Schaff said customers shouldn’t assume an item is unavailable simply because they don’t see it on the shelves. He encourages customers to ask about products they need, and he will try to order them when possible.
While the hardware store has already been operating for some time, Schaff opened the gunsmithing portion of the business on Sept. 21.
His gunsmithing services include firearm cleaning, modifications and repairs, along with sales, trades and sighting services. He also offers laser engraving on firearms and other items.
“Anything you can think of, I try to dabble in,” Schaff said. “And I can laser engrave just about anything that somebody would like.”
Schaff said keeping prices competitive is also important to him.
“I can also beat anyone’s prices; I’m not looking to hike them up. It’s apples to apples for me,” he said. “I can get anything people want within reason. I also have images and logos we can use.”
As he settles into both businesses, Schaff credits his fiancée, Lori Steiner, for supporting him throughout the process. He also thanked his uncle, Ben Schaff, former owner of The County Seat Lounge, for helping make the venture possible and getting it off the ground.
With the hardware store continuing a 44-year tradition on Main Street and Schaff adding his gunsmithing operation next door, a longtime Carson business has entered a new chapter under new ownership.
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