All Star Review: Ga., Hawaii, Idaho
It takes a little more to be an All Star.
To provide the best customer service; fit perfectly with your community; find the niche categories for your locals; and have the people and personalities to create that certain something extra.
This year’s class of STIHL Hardware All Stars marks the 14th year of the program, in which editors recognize one business from each of the 50 states.
GEORGIA
• Midway Ace
After he lost his son Jeffrey to a rare illness, Alpharetta-based Midway Ace longtime employee Bob Evans and his family set up the Jeffrey Campbell Evans Foundation to provide apartments to help patients and their caregivers in the Atlanta area, who are on the transplant list. The memorable story is told here. Their future goal is to secure an entire condominium complex.
The Ace store specializes in paint, power tools, lawn and garden, grilling, and STIHL. A customer left this comment: “The owner actually called me and took care of me. It’s good to see a business care about their customers.”
HAWAII
• City Mill in Honolulu
A retailer that’s proud to say: Hawaii’s Kama’aina, or “Hawaiian residents,” shop here. Third-generation Steven C. Ai and his sister Carol Ai May continue the hardware tradition established by their grandfather back in 1899. Across eight locations on the island, This Do it Best dealer is synonymous with home improvement projects. A Facebook page promotes Aloha Friday sales. Their annual Lunar New Year celebrations draw shoppers and spectators to see the Lion Dance performers.
IDAHO
• C & M Lumber
At the heart of the town of New Meadows for 60 years, their reach goes far beyond the roughly 500 people who live there. Nestled in a mountain valley, they extend their reach 75 miles in every direction, providing hardware, farm and ranch, and building materials to central Idaho. Third-generation owners Chris and Mark Peterson are deeply connected to their community – they are volunteer firemen and are involved in the planning of their town’s growth. Their Yule Tool sale is a holiday tradition, meaning kids of all ages fill wish lists.
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