Stihl Hardware All Stars: Nev., N.H. and Pa.

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.

Nevada

Home Hardware & Variety

About 45 minutes north of Las Vegas, Home Hardware & Variety in Overton is a retailer that carefully nurtures a high-quality reputation. “Definitely, the Stihl and Yeti brands drive traffic for us,” manager Mitch Tobler said. “And we generally tend to carry a bit more higher dollar products.” The True Value and Purina dealer is also strong in the pet department. And a fabric store within the store adds variety to this community-oriented All Star.

New Hampshire

East Coast Lumber

Led by Christine Lewis Morse, the daughter of the founder, East Coast Lumber believes the key to business success is “surrounding yourself with people who can help you succeed.” And that’s a big part of the plan at this family-owned home improvement, lumber and building materials center. In December 2000, the company opened a rental center and a tool and equipment repair shop with a small service department. The operation has grown from providing hometown hardware to full-service sales, rental and repair.

Pennsylvania

Steele’s True Value Hardware

Surrounded by big box stores — two Lowe’s are within five minutes and Home Depot is eight minutes away from the Tannersville retailer — Steele’s shines amid big competition. In the decade-plus that Richard and Lori McMaster have owned the store, they have invested in store expansion, rental offerings and Destination True Value — enhancements to stay relevant in a suburban location. Then there is the red-carpet treatment. “Whereas the boxes give you the aisle number, we escort each customer to the item, get it for them and instruct them on how to use it,” manager Devesh Ramdeo said.

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