Indianapolis -- Speaking to the collected body of Do it Best Dealers during the co-op's Merchandising Market Preview here, Steve Markley described light bulbs as a high-interest, high-reward category. 

Sullivan Hardware & Garden of Indianapolis is no stranger to recognition in the local media. But its latest “best of” Indianapolis title marks what might be considered a strange departure.

The store won the Indianapolis Monthly’s “Best Retro Soda Pop” award.

Indianapolis -- Do it Best Corp. reported sales growth of 11.2% for fiscal year 2012, and celebrated its ninth consecutive year of $100 million-plus in member rebates.

The Fort Wayne, Ind.-based co-op reported sales of $2.68 billion for its fiscal year ending June 30. Even more interesting to members was the size of the member rebate, which exceeded $100 million for the ninth year in a row. The $115.7 million rebate marks an increase of 9.4% over last year’s end-of-year rebate, and stands as the fourth highest ever. 

Attendance numbers are expected to increase at the Do it Best Fall Market in Indianapolis, which officially kicks off Oct. 13.

An early reading about five weeks ahead of the upcoming October market showed double-digit percentage increases in store attendance, and increases in total badges even higher.

“It’s a dramatic difference,” said CEO Bob Taylor. “We’ll have to see, but it’s a great early sign that maybe [the industry] turned a corner.”

When the Do it Best Corp. Fall Market kicks off in Indianapolis Oct. 13, the art of the deal will be on full display. Artist Erik Wahl will lead the show’s Kickoff Breakfast with a lesson on the link between vision and success. The rest of the weekend is expected to see a boost in deal-making.

Indianapolis-based Eco-Roofs, a producer of environmentally friendly roof systems, has completed a 1,300-sq.-ft. green roof installation atop the four-story, 67-year-old College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Building on the campus of Butler University in Indianapolis.

This is the first green roof undertaking for the University and was installed entirely by an all-volunteer crew of students, faculty and university staff, led by Eco-Roofs' accredited Green Roof Professional and project coordinator Pat Maloney.

North Meridian Hardware opened in Indianapolis last month, catering to an influx of condominium and apartment dwellers downtown.

According to an article in the Indianapolis Business Journal, North Meridian Hardware opened last month at 1433 N. Meridian St.

The list of improving U.S. housing markets tracked by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) almost doubled in January 2012 with the addition of 40 new metro areas. The NAHB’s First American Improving Markets Index (IMI) now counts 76 improving markets, up from 41 in December, with 31 states and the District of Columbia represented by at least one entry.

Indianapolis-based Delta Faucet Co., a division of Masco Corp., promoted VP sales Richard O'Reagan to the post of company president.

He replaces Keith Allman, who was promoted to group president for Masco.

O'Reagan will be responsible for leading the development of new products and overseeing manufacturing and marketing for the Delta, Brizo and Peerless brands. In a press release, he said he intended to build on the company's strong brands, innovations and service, while also promoting advances in water efficiency.

At the 2011 Do it Best Fall Market in Indianapolis, the co-op distributed $105.8 million in combined rebates to member dealers. It was the eighth straight year that the distribution exceeded $100 million. 

The Do it Best October Market will return to Indianapolis Oct. 8 to 10, with some things remaining the same, and some things changing. 

“We really believe this market will be like no other that our members have seen or experienced,” said Do it Best CEO Bob Taylor. “With the continued momentum of our Extreme Growth initiatives, along with outstanding purchasing opportunities in an expanded convention center and top-notch slate of events and speakers, we’ve got a lot of very exciting things in store for our members."