Letter from the Editor

Let’s start off with some perspective.

“This has been an incredibly stressful time,” said hardware retailer Jared Littmann, who is profiled in a story here. “But I’m sure it is nothing compared to those in the medical profession who are treating those that are sick with the disease.”

Now let’s look at where we’ve been.

For some, it was the cancellation of March Madness that launched the warning flares. For others, it was the postponement of the National Hardware Show — the spiritual center of the hardware industry.

For me, I think it became apparent that we were dealing with something unprecedented when the heartbreaking images of overflowing Italian hospitals hit the nightly news.

As I type, similar images appear from across the river in New York City. And elsewhere.

Amid governors’ orders for coronavirus lockdowns, the first order of business for us seemed pretty obvious: stand up for the hardware and building supply industry. Let everyone in earshot understand the importance of these dealers to their communities and their customers.

Industry groups scrambled — successfully — to promote that message. At HBSDealer.com, our ridiculously biased poll question asked (“Are hardware stores essential? Yes or Yes?”) broke all in-house records for poll participation. The overwhelming response: “Yes.” And there was a sense of relief when the Department of Homeland Security weighed in with guidance calling for the continued operation of hardware and building supply dealers.

So here’s where we are.

We are battling for our businesses, our communities, and increasingly, for the health of our employees.

Stops on the in-store safety continuum include social-distancing; wipe downs and hand sanitizers; plastic shields at the checkout; curbside pick-up; reduced hours; 10 at a time; five at a time; and even zero at a time.

In Barone Hardware & Auto, owner Dave Barone launched a “go solo” campaign — shop by yourself, no groups, no kids. “As a retailer, this goes against everything I’ve been taught for 44 years,” he told his Facebook audience. “So it’s not something we’re taking lightly.”

These acts of safety and service — often at the expense of sales — are nothing short of hardware heroism.

Where are we going?

We don’t know where this is heading, or even if this column will be obsolete in a few days. But it seems like our readers are falling back on every crisis management guru’s top recommendation: Communicate, and control what you can control.

That’s our plan, too.

# # #

Tell us your thoughts at [email protected].