Stihl Hardware All Stars: Fla., Hawaii, La.

HBSDealer has been recognizing All Stars — formally, at least — since 2011.

In that time, we've surveyed suppliers, distributors, manufacturers, vendors, retailers and homeowners in search of high-performing, service-oriented, community-minded hardware store, lumberyard or farm and ranch dealers worthy of All-Star status.

There are always more nominations than we know what to do with. But select we must, and as a result, we present an excellent few retailers — one from each state.

Here’s to the class of 2017. And here are the stories of three more retailers.

Florida

Hagan Ace Hardware

Since opening their first Hagan Ace Hardware in 1962, founders Don and Ann Hagan have established a community staple and earned the top score in Ace Hardware’s Mystery Shopper Program. Today, the chain spans eight locations and is led by third- and fourth-generation owners Bill and Jacob Hagan. Not only a go-to fix for hardware, grills and paint, Hagan is also on the map for jewelry, gifts, home décor, kayaks, paddleboards, pool supplies, a 10,000-sq.-ft. greenhouse and a full-service florist.

Hawaii

Kula True Value & Nursery

Garden supplies and gasoline may not be a natural combination for a hardware store, but it works for these island residents. Kula True Value has been cited multiple times for having the best nursery on Maui, thanks to its hearty selection of plants, soil and garden supplies — and its expertise in microclimates. Kula also has some of the best deals on gasoline in Maui, which benefits those customers heading to the summit of Haleakala.

Louisiana

Mary’s Ace Hardware

This French Quarter mainstay didn’t merely luck out because of its location. It’s also everything you’d expect from an Ace store and then some, packed with plenty of merchandise fitting for a NOLA customer, as well as an entire top floor dedicated to kitchen supplies and specialty home goods and pantry items. With crawfish boiling pots and Le Creuset kitchen wares mixed in with the typical nuts and bolts, Mary’s Ace Hardware knows how to cater to a city with a big appetite.

See the full Class of 2017 All Stars  — presented by Stihl — in the May issue of HBSDealer.