Harrisburg Awards began in 1962 as the Harrisburg Awards Shop. It was started by Bob Paul (a local businessman) and Jim Sunday (a local TV/Radio News Personality). They ran it out of their homes, working on weekends and evenings. In 1964, Bill Thompson, known to everyone as “Honest Bill” bought an interest in the business. Initially the entire inventory and all equipment were moved to a corner of his basement. He had bigger aspirations and planned to make it a day to day operation, not just a supplemental income.

Bill found a small showroom to rent, on the corner of 28th and Walnut Streets, where he opened for business. He shared space with a small restaurant and later a hobby store. Within a year, he bought out his partners. A couple of years later he took over the entire first floor of the building and, for a time, continued to deal in some of the hobby items. This included running a slot car racetrack.

The awards business continued to grow and eventually the hobby aspect was dropped. In 1972, a building was purchased at 2710 Walnut Street. It was actually an older home that had been used as a boarding house. A showroom was added and internal improvements were made. For several years, he continued to rent rooms. In 1981, he incorporated the business and renamed it Harrisburg Awards, Inc.

Over the years, equipment and varying products were frequently added to improve the features and appeal of our services. "Honest Bill" passed away in 1996, but his spirit remains with us. Today, we continue Bill’s standard of honest dialogue with our customers while providing efficient service and quality products.

          Bob Thompson
          President