Stars shine in Arkansas, California and Colorado
The tradition began in 2011, when Home Channel News, the forerunner of HBSDealer, recognized 50 Hardware All Stars — one hardware store, home center or building supply dealer from each state. The tradition continues in 2019, with a all-new class of STIHL Hardware All Stars.
It’s a class as deserving of recognition as any that preceded it.
The 50 stores here represent all that is stellar in home improvement retailing. To varying degrees, they support local and national charities, experiment with merchandising and store design, differentiate themselves from competition, invest in their facilities and their people, and generally serve their communities like All Stars.
Here are three examples of All Star performance:
• Hums Hardware & Rental
North Little Rock, Ark.
Hums Hardware & Rental
Some stores call rental a “niche.” At Hum’s it’s a passion. The family business, owned by Bruce and Jason Hum, began renting heavy equipment in 1998, and the business has taken off. So has the store’s reputation as a repair and maintenance destination. The company turns its fleet at an aggressive pace (every few years) to better help customers do their jobs.
• Hensel’s Ace Hardware
Arcata, Calif.
Hensel's Ace Hardware of Arcata, Calif.
With perhaps the sweetest tooth in all of hardware, Hensel’s is one of only two stores to receive the coveted “Coolest Store” honor from Ace Hardware in 2019. This fun (some would say funky) northern California retailer in two buildings is known for its full-service paint center, a strong housewares department and a candy store called Cook ‘n Sugar that carries sweets from around the world and around California. Ceva Courtemanche leads a veteran team.
• Fruita True Value
Fruita, Colo.
Fruita True Value
A 2019 Best Hardware Store in Town honoree, Fruita has been getting top grades on its mystery shops for cleanliness and store layout. Fruita resets its merchandise (all 10 sections) twice a year, which general manager Loni Moore admitted ‘is a lot of work but it keeps us fresh.” The secret to their success? “We listen to our customers’ needs, and if we get two ‘ask for’s,’ we inventory it.” The hardware store is strongly connected to the community through such philanthropic efforts as the Grant A Wish Program.
Check out the STIHL Hardware All Star issue here.
It’s a class as deserving of recognition as any that preceded it.
The 50 stores here represent all that is stellar in home improvement retailing. To varying degrees, they support local and national charities, experiment with merchandising and store design, differentiate themselves from competition, invest in their facilities and their people, and generally serve their communities like All Stars.
Here are three examples of All Star performance:
• Hums Hardware & Rental
North Little Rock, Ark.
Hums Hardware & RentalSome stores call rental a “niche.” At Hum’s it’s a passion. The family business, owned by Bruce and Jason Hum, began renting heavy equipment in 1998, and the business has taken off. So has the store’s reputation as a repair and maintenance destination. The company turns its fleet at an aggressive pace (every few years) to better help customers do their jobs.
• Hensel’s Ace Hardware
Arcata, Calif.
Hensel's Ace Hardware of Arcata, Calif.With perhaps the sweetest tooth in all of hardware, Hensel’s is one of only two stores to receive the coveted “Coolest Store” honor from Ace Hardware in 2019. This fun (some would say funky) northern California retailer in two buildings is known for its full-service paint center, a strong housewares department and a candy store called Cook ‘n Sugar that carries sweets from around the world and around California. Ceva Courtemanche leads a veteran team.
• Fruita True Value
Fruita, Colo.
Fruita True ValueA 2019 Best Hardware Store in Town honoree, Fruita has been getting top grades on its mystery shops for cleanliness and store layout. Fruita resets its merchandise (all 10 sections) twice a year, which general manager Loni Moore admitted ‘is a lot of work but it keeps us fresh.” The secret to their success? “We listen to our customers’ needs, and if we get two ‘ask for’s,’ we inventory it.” The hardware store is strongly connected to the community through such philanthropic efforts as the Grant A Wish Program.
Check out the STIHL Hardware All Star issue here.