Welcome To The Official Website Of
Jack Preston
Off The Streets & Out of Trouble! invites you behind the Red Vest and into the “adult toy store” called Lowes, where retired Army officer Jack Preston trades battlefields for concrete floors, unpredictable customers, heroic coworkers, and laugh-out-loud, true-to-life stories about work, family, leadership, and staying just mischievous enough to keep life interesting while never losing sight of the dignity, humor, and quiet heroism hidden in everyday retail life there.
- 4.8/5 Rating
- 10K+ Readers
About The Author
Jack Preston
Jack Preston spent twenty-four years as a career officer in the United States Army before trading camouflaged uniforms for a bright red vest at his local Lowes in Wapakoneta, Ohio. A veteran of NATO working groups and international assignments, he also holds a BS in Biology/Chemistry and an MBA in Management, Innovation and Change, and has written military doctrine for two countries. After retiring from active duty, Jack sampled civilian careers – from sales manager to warehouse work and professional student – but discovered his favorite “post” was standing on concrete floors, serving customers, and swapping stories with fellow Red Vests. Off The Streets & Out of Trouble! grew out of the notes he jotted after long shifts, capturing the humor, heart, and human drama of retail life. Away from the store, he is a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who still believes in old-fashioned honesty, good coffee, and the healing power of laughter shared between strangers. He continues to work part-time, mentor younger associates, dream about opening new stores in far-flung places, and collect new tales that just might become the next book for readers who enjoy real people.
About The Book
Off The Streets &
Out of Trouble!
Off The Streets & Out of Trouble! is a collection of sharply observed, tongue-in-cheek stories from the front lines of a Midwestern Lowes. Drawing on years behind the Red Vest, Jack Preston turns everyday encounters with customers, coworkers, thieves, contractors, and “angels” who smell like fresh bread into short, unforgettable slices of life. One page you are laughing at a grumpy shopper or a kid in a blue racing kart; the next, you are quietly moved by veterans, hardworking families, and the small acts of courage that keep a store – and a community – going. Along the way, you will meet leaders who grow under pressure, “evil twins” who show up on rough days, surprise heroes in the garden center, and characters who teach what integrity and service look like. Written with the easy rhythm of a front-counter conversation, these stories celebrate character, honesty, teamwork, and the surprising heroism hidden in ordinary people just trying to get through the day with their dignity, humor, and sense of mischief intact.
Video Trailer
Off The Streets & Out of Trouble!
Watch the trailer for Off The Streets & Out of Trouble! and step behind the Red Vest for a whirlwind tour of life inside a very human hardware store.
Testimonials
What Readers Say
Readers from every walk of life – veterans, retail workers, contractors, and everyday shoppers are recognizing themselves in these stories and discovering just how much heart can live behind a simple red vest.
“Jack Preston turns a home-improvement store into a stage where everyday people become unforgettable characters. I laughed out loud and wiped away tears, sometimes on the very same page.”
“As a former cashier, I felt seen, respected, and understood. These stories capture the pressure, the absurdity, and the small wins that keep you coming back for your next shift.”
“This book honors front-line workers without sugarcoating anything. Jack’s honesty about thieves, bullies, and tough days makes the moments of kindness and courage shine even brighter.”
“Off The Streets & Out of Trouble! should be required reading for anyone who shops anywhere. You will never look at a name tag or a vest the same way again.”