Meet the 2023 STIHL Hardware All Stars: Maine, Md./Wash D.C., Mass.
Here are the next three in the latest class of STIHL 2023 Hardware Store All Stars that represent community-oriented, customer-focused, high-performance hardware-and-building-supply retailing at its finest. From each of the 50 states, HBSDealer recognized an All-Star performer.
You can read about all 50 honorees here in the digital issue of HBSDealer. Additionally, HBSDealer.com will highlight a handful of honorees one batch at a time. This year’s superstar performers from Maine, Maryland/Washington D.C. and Massachusetts are featured below.
Maine
Sitting 100 feet from the St. John River separating Maine and Quebec, it’s not uncommon to hear both English and French spoken inside this Maine institution’s Fort Kent location. The 179-year-old business is well-known in the region for superior customer service and highly knowledgeable staff. A 2014 prodealer of the year, S.W. Collins has passed on friendly service and community involvement to its six locations and a new, sixth-generation in cousins Clara and Adam Collins.
Maryland/Washington D.C.
The store calls itself, “a showcase store for the urban footprint,” in Washington, D.C. With its traditional hardware feel, it exemplifies a small-town look in a big city. Owner John Spalding is described as “humble and customer focused.” A Yelp reviewer said: “Beyond hardware they also have a full housewares dept. When you walk in you are greeted with ‘how can I help you?’ And a little-known secret: They also sharpen kitchen knives.”
Massachusetts
Owners James and Megan Cote “offer a selection of the finest in hardware, housewares, outdoor living, paint, gifts and toys,” their website announces. Since 1944, this Do it Best dealer, formerly Osterville House & Garden, has been a community destination. Their story: After returning home from college, James had an opportunity to purchase his old employer’s store. They gear their product mix toward Cape Cod’s weekenders.
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Special thanks to STIHL for its support of the ALL-STAR project. (Note: Not all honorees are STIHL dealers.)
