True Value Co. names 'best in town' list

From coast-to-coast to yet another coast, Chicago-based True Value Company recognized 14 True Value hardware stores as winners of its annual "Best Hardware Store in Town" award.

This year's list included a Bermuda retailer, marking the first time a member outside of the United States was honored by the award.

“Our vision is to help every True Value be the ‘best hardware store in town,’ and these 14 stores represent what it takes to exceed customer expectations,” said Lyle Heidemann, president and chief executive officer of True Value Co.

This year's list is as follows:

B&C True Value Home Center, Grass Valley, Calif.;

Berger True Value Hardware, Hawthorne, N.Y.;

Brinkmann Hardware, Blue Point, N.Y.;

Central True Value, Moncks Corner, S.C.;

Geiger True Value, Chillicothe, Ill.;

Gorham’s True Value, Hamilton, Bermuda;

Horton’s True Value, Chetek, Wis.;

Hoy’s True Value, Sweet home, Ore.;

Lake Isabella True Value, Lake Isabella, Calif.;

Lott True Value, Childress, Texas;

Red Lodge True Value, Red Lodge, Mont.;

Shore True Value, Somers Point, N.J.;

Strasser True Value, Kansas City, Kan.; and

Titusville True Value, Titusville, Pa.

According to the co-op, the stores went through a nomination and selection process, which included mystery shoppers visiting each selected store to gain a customer’s perspective. Store evaluation criteria included physical appearance, product selection, competitive pricing, promotional sales and customer assistance.