Call for Hardware All Stars 2024
“Calling all Hardware All Stars.”
Is there a hardware retailer you want to recommend as a STIHL Hardware All Star this year?
Now is the time to submit your favorite hardware store All-Star. (Maybe it’s your store.) Send your 2024 All Star suggestion to tburke@ensembleiq.com by March 21.
Here are a few examples of honorees from last year:
ILLINOIS
Graber Building Supply
New owner Vernon Kuhns bought the store in Tuscola – that serves the entire county’s farmers, businesses and contractors and “has a massive STIHL offering” – from Jim Higgins last fall. Higgins started the company more than 50 years ago; today he manages it with his son Brent. The home center includes a large rental department, and their appliance service center has on-staff technicians. They also deliver propane to rural farmhouses.
NORTH CAROLINA
Blackhawk Ace Hardware
In business in Charlotte since 1977, the store has a giant dinosaur named Pickles that greets all. “What’s amazing is how many kids don’t see it until they’re right under it – then they jump back,” said co-owner Andy Wilkerson, son of owners Jim and Barbara Wilkerson. “We gained our reputation by being different.” They have 25,000 square feet of non-traditional items. “Housewares are some of our best sellers,” he said.
PENNSYLVANIA
GR Mitchell True Value
GR Mitchell “has more lumber and building materials than the big box stores in Lancaster County,” the firm said. And the hardware side has name brand home and professional grade tools, plumbing, electric, paint and outdoor living products. This is a hardware store with friendly, knowledgeable people – all in Willow Street, Pennsylvania.
What makes an All Star hardware store? Here are some guidelines:
• Innovation in operations, marketing, merchandising;
• High performance, expansion, success, or sales growth;
• Customer focus; community centricity and a commitment to the traditions of the hardware and building supply industry.
Single-store retailers are as welcome as multi-state regional players. (Note, honorees need not be STIHL dealers to be recognized for the award.)
Want to see all the All Stars from last year? Check out the HBSDealer May 2023 issue HERE.
