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Bill Tucker, former president of the Florida Building Material Association and his wife Terri, previously CFO of Ro-Mac Lumber and Supply, have formed E to the Third Power Consulting -- e3 Consulting. 

Based in Leesburg, Fla., the company will offer leadership training as well as CFO-level services to companies unable to afford a full-time CFO. “E to the third power refers to the three E’s we bring to our clients: experience, expertise and empathy," said Bill Tucker.

For the second year in a row, HCN has compiled a state-by-state list of high performers, innovative retailers and classic stores. It’s called the 2012 Home Chanel News Hardware Store All-Star list. Strong customer service is the common thread for all 50 retailers. From there, community involvement, company history, great products and interesting niches set these businesses apart from the competition. 

New Jersey pro dealer Madison Township Lumber & Supply Co. passed the half-century mark this year. 

Serving the entire Garen State, the single-unit location in Matawan, N.J., was founded in 1962 by Anthony J. Martorana Sr., who remains as CEO of the family business. His wife, Louise Ann, is CFO and son Anthony Jr. serves as VP sales and operations.

The dealer distributes BlueLinx I Joist and Billet Beams, hardware, lumber, millwork, Silver Line Windows and Benjamin Moore Paint. 

Jim Guest, 58, passed away on Sept. 5 of cancer. Guest was a 35-year employee of 84 Lumber and lived in Washington, Pa. He joined the company in 1976 and worked a number of jobs, eventually becoming director of associate development. 

He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Linda Lee Guest, and two adult daughters, Anna Guest-Jelley and Julia Guest. For more information or to add or view tributes, visit beinhauer.com.

Ace Hardware in Largo, Fla., a 36-year-old business, closed on June 29, according to an article in the St. Petersburg Times. 

Owner Bob Hoag, a former hospital administrator from Michigan, and his wife, Mary Jane Hoag, purchased the store from the original owners four years ago.

Las Vegas — The retail panel discussion started with customer service and advanced to strategic planning. From there, it detoured at automatic doors — apparently still a novelty in rural Texas — and finished with a somewhat optimistic economic forecast. 


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


On the following pages, Home Channel News editors travel state-by-state to find examples of leading hardware store retailers. To those deserving candidates not on the list — and there are many — we offer this advice as consolation: “Keep up the good work. We’ll get to you eventually.”