Busy Beaver strikes again
Pittsburgh-based Busy Beaver Building Centers acquired Latrobe True Value Hardware of Latrobe, Pa.
This location, which will now be referred to as “True Value of Latrobe,” has been a part of the community since 1983 and at its current location since 1997. Original owners Francis and Gertrude Freedman are “happily retiring,” according to the announcement, while a majority of the staff will remain with the store including general manager Al Egner, a 33-year store veteran.
“We will honor the hometown legacy that Fran and Gertrude have established by serving the Latrobe community with a relentless focus on customer service,” said Joseph Kallen, CEO of Busy Beaver. “Our goal is to exceed all expectations of what a hometown hardware store can be.”
The acquisition of True Value of Latrobe marks the second True Value location for Busy Beaver. Earlier this year, Busy Beaver successfully developed and opened True Value of Moon Township on Beaver Grade Road. Currently, Busy Beaver operates 16 full-line Busy Beaver home improvement centers and two True Value hardware stores.
The last time Busy Beaver operated 18 stores was more than 10 years ago.
With a goal of Spring 2017, True Value of Latrobe will be remodeled and expanded to a 9,300 sq. ft. space at the same location. The site is also home to a former beer distributor, which is no longer in business. True Value of Latrobe will expand to occupy the entire building and feature paint, lawn and garden/seasonal, hardware, tools, electrical, plumbing, pet supplies, cleaning supplies and homewares.
“True Value of Latrobe will feature our company’s W.E.C.A.R.E. Customer Service Pledge,” Kallen said. “Our pledge promises legendary service from the time you are greeted through the time you leave. We load your vehicle and thank you for your purchase.”
The Customer Service Pledge was developed to enhance the customer experience by creating a more helpful, friendly shopping environment with the goal of completing the entire project in one trip, the company said.
Busy Beaver, which joined the True Value co-op about a year ago, continues to expand into new locations and formats and, at the same time, reinvigorate its existing locations.
Since 2014, Busy Beaver has opened three new stores, acquired True Value of Latrobe and remodeled and/or moved five existing stores. In the coming year, Busy Beaver plans to remodel four stores in 2017 and another four in 2018, as well as open a new Busy Beaver home improvement center in Elkins, W.Va. Continued expansion is planned with both formats through ground up stores and existing store acquisitions.
Busy Beaver was founded in 1962 with three lumber yards located in the Pennsylvania towns of Clairton, Verona and Carnegie. The company expanded into full-line home improvement centers and currently operates 16 stores in three states: Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia.