Content about Independent profiles

May 26, 2013
Hardware store sets stage for instruction

Island Park, N.Y.-based Costello’s Ace Hardware in Island Park is joining forces with TV personality, carpenter and DIY expert Carmen De La Paz to offer hands-on instruction to local residents undertaking home restoration projects as a result of Hurricane Sandy’s destruction. 

Dubbed “Project Community,” the event aims to empower local residents with the know-how and confidence to tackle basic water damage restoration projects.

May 13, 2013
Store owner considers restaurant play

Fuller's Home & Hardware, an Ace dealer in Hinsdale, Ill., is not your typical hardware store. Located in an historic corner building on a picturesque main street downtown, most of the ground floor is a classic neighborhood hardware store.  

The second floor -- known as "The Second Floor" -- is an upscale home decor and kitchen products specialty store. 

April 15, 2012
Aubuchon Hardware opens in Lake Placid

Westminster, Mass.-based Aubuchon Hardware, a 121-store independent chain operating in the Northeastern United States, celebrated a grand opening of its Lake Placid, N.Y., location April 7.

The new store, a replacement of the previous Lake Placid location down the street, was built to reflect the style of an Adirondack mountain lodge, according to Bernard Aubuchon, Jr. “It’s really a good looking store,” he told Home Channel News. “It’s an Adirondack-style building with wooden beams and stone foundation work along the outside.”

March 26, 2012
Mass. retailer plans to open new store

According to an article in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, the owner of Westboro (Mass.) Paint & Decorating is preparing to launch a harder side.

The owner of the paint store, Doug Curving, is renovating the site of the former Village Lumber, also in Westboro, which will eventually become Village Hardware & Supply. The new store will sell hardware, fasteners, keys, plumbing and electrical supplies, among other hardline home improvement merchandise, the article said.

February 1, 2012
Do it Best member keeps up with the times in Iowa

An article in the Waukee Patch tells the secret of Waukee Hardware Store, still competing favorably with all comers after 122 years.

Owner Geoff Warmouth describes his brand of retail as "convenience hardware," and finds that the bigger competitors attract a different type of customer. 

 

January 12, 2012
In Oregon town, hardware store replaces drug store

A building in Seaside, Ore. is shifting from health care to hammers and nails.

According to an article in the Seaside Signal, the building that once was the Holladay Drug Store will soon be an Ace Hardware location. The owner Winfeld Muffett, told the newspaper that the community needs a local hardware store.

August 7, 2011
HBT hardware expands in Albany, Ga.

According to an article in the Albanyherald.com, Hardware, Bolts, Tools and Tillage celebrated the grand opening of a new store in Albany, Ga., Friday.

Known as HBT, the company was founded in Tifton, Ga., in 1981. Its motto is, "We doze, but we never close," the article reported.

June 22, 2011
Zinger Hardware moving to former bookstore

Zinger Hardware of Austin, Texas, will be relocating to a vacant bookstore with an outdoor center where it can build a children’s playground and a butterfly garden, according to an article in the Austin American Statesman. 

May 14, 2011
Hardware store all-stars: Florida, Georgia and Hawaii

There are great hardware stores in every corner of this country. Home Channel News has identified 50 -- one for each state -- in its May issue. 

Continuing the report of all-star hardware stores in order alphabetical, here are Florida, Georgia and Hawaii:

May 1, 2011
State by state: Hardware store all stars

From New York's Island to the Redwood Forests, the great American hardware store maintains a revered place in commercial history of these United States. 

The May issue of Home Channel News compiled the first-ever Hardware Store All Star list. Here are three of the 50: standout stores from Alabama, Alaska and Arizona. 

• Alabama

April 29, 2011
Mahurin’s next stop: Orchard Supply Hardware

Steve Mahurin, the former Home Depot and True Value Co. merchandising executive, will take over as the senior merchant at San Jose, Calif.-based Orchard Supply Hardware.

Mahurin's appointment as executive VP and chief merchandising officer takes effect May 2. He will replace Steve Olsen, who has been named senior VP and chief strategy officer for the California hardware chain. Both men will report to Mark Baker, who was named CEO earlier this year. 

April 27, 2011
Ace Hardware opens in Ardmore, N.C.

According to an article in the Winston-Salem Journal, an Ace Hardware store opened last week in Ardmore, N.C., just outside of Winston-Salem. 

The 6,000 sq.-ft. store replaces a Sportsman's Supply Co., which was closed since 2008, and could reflect a positive sign for the area's retail market, according to the newspaper. 

April 25, 2011
In Purcellville, Va., a store struggles through tragedy

In September of 2010, Nichols Hardware owners Ted and Karen Nichols died in a car accident, leaving the future of their classic Purcellville, Va., hardware store in doubt. 

April 21, 2011
Price Hardware True Value earns Golden Hammer

Atlanta, Texas-based Price Hardware True Value has been named the 2011 "Tools of the Trade Award" winner by Home Channel News.

The company will accept the award May 11 at the Golden Hammer Awards breakfast event in Las Vegas, held in conjunction with the National Hardware Show.

March 23, 2011
McDaniel's Do-it Center honored in Washington

McDaniel's Do-it Center of Snohomish, Wash. received and Excellence in Business Award from the Snohomish Chamber of Commerce.

The award was presented at a March 15 board meeting, during which the hardware store was cited for its quality products, its customer loyalty and its ability to weather the storm of a recession.

March 7, 2011
Ace incites optimism

Whether it’s their geographic market, operating strategy or support from lenders and co-ops, there are plenty of variables that distinguish between a retail company that thrives and a retail company that merely survives.


Meet Costello’s Ace Hardware, where a thriving mind-set and aggressive growth are a function of all three variables, and even a few more. 


March 7, 2011
Ace’s “Crown of the Sea”

Jeff Schulein of Crown Ace Hardware has accomplished what few dealers can lay claim to: 17 stores, a solid succession plan and, since the economic downturn, no store closures or major employee layoffs. In fact, Schulein and his son, Mark, are in negotiations to open an 18th store, this one in San Diego. 


“I’m an entrepreneur who does things by the seat of his pants,” Jeff said. “Mark is a good manager. He’s highly organized. So together we make a good team.” 


January 10, 2011
Store owner will be honored at MLK Jr. Day event

Sally Kagerer, owner of Beauchamp's Ace Hardware on the north side of Flint, Mich., will deliver the keynote speech at the 32nd annual Martin Luther King Jr. tribute Dinner in Flint on Jan. 13, according to an article in the Flint Journal.

December 5, 2010
Mayor asks: “How can we help you?”

Bill Dieruf, owner of Dieruf Hardware in Jeffersontown, Ky., is not the first businessman-turned-elected-official. But...

Bill Dieruf, owner of Dieruf Hardware in Jeffersontown, Ky., is not the first businessman-turned-elected-official. But he’s one of the few to bring customer service lessons from the hardware store into city hall.

The 55-year-old Do it Best member decided to run for mayor of Jeffersontown on a platform of customer service, with a goal of bringing pride back to his local community.