Lee Helmkay worked at Argyle Hardware in London, Ont., for 40 years, from the day it first opened in 1947 when he was 17, until it closed in 1986.

But the 92-year-old hasn’t given those days much thought in recent years — until his daughter posted an old photograph of Helmkay in the strip mall hardware store on social media, and longtime Londoners began sharing their memories of Helmkay and his store. 

Now, Helmkay wants to go back.

Helmkay, pictured when he was 21, started working at his father’s hardware store when he was just 17. (Submitted by Paddi Sprecher)

“I appreciate