Hardware Store All-Stars: New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania

HCN congratulates the 50 hardware store, home center and farm and ranch retailers who made the annual HCN Hardware Store All-Star list.

Now in its third year, HCN's annual list of high performers recognizes hardware stores -- one from each state -- that are outstanding in their field. The complete list and analysis can be found in the September issue of HCN. Meanwhile, HCN Daily will work its way across the country with mini profiles, continuing this week with New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

New York: "Age before beauty" is what they say, but Kelloggs & Lawrence Do it Best in Katonah might have both of those things working in its favor. The general store-type local has been a community fixture for a whopping 125 years -- one of the current staffmembers, Jeff, is the great grandson of founder Henry Kellogg. Owners Bart and Diana Tyler help bring tourism to the area -- as well as revenue to their store -- with high-end home goods, fireplaces, grills and camping supplies.

New Jersey: Billing itself as the discounted Benjamin Moore store, McGrath's Paint & Hardware plays neighborhood hardware joint, big brand discount location and alluring big box alternative in three locations across New Jersey. As one of the largest Benjamin Moore dealers in New Jersey, the store fills its niche well with a complete product assortment and professional Design Color Consultants to assist customers with their decor planning -- in-store or in the home.

Pennsylvania: It's fair to say that Bomberger's Store in Lititz earns the title of overall crowd-pleaser. Involvement in local parades, the Farm Show, and youth football and baseball teams throughout the community isn't the only reason, but those things certainly don't hurt. Customers who manage to make it past the full-service in-store cafe (serving gourmet coffee and pastry) will encounter a dedicated kitchen and floor covering segment with multiple displays, as well as a hearty representation of big brands like Craftsman and John Deere. Not only was it named one of Ace's "Coolest Hardware Stores" in 2012 -- the city of Lititz was named one of America's Coolest Small Towns by Budget Travel.

Next week, HCN will highlight All-Stars in Maryland, Delaware and Virginia. For the full state-by-state list of HCN Hardware Store All Stars, click here.