Stihl Hardware All Stars: Texas, N.M., N.Y. and N.D.

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 four more retailers.

Texas

Morrison True Value

Best-selling author Robert James Waller (“Bridges of Madison County”) wrote about the amazing selection at Morrison in his book “Border Music.” As owner Bob Ward recalled, “He actually said ‘Wow,’ when he came into our store; he was amazed.” Other patrons are also blown away by this West Texas landmark in Alpine that sells everything from commode seats to guitar strings. Morrison has a huge presence in its “community,” which encompasses three counties in this rural area. “There’s not a day that goes by — I can promise you — when someone doesn’t say ‘Hey, we have this going on, can you help us?’ Of course we will do it.”

New Mexico

Ruidoso/Socorro True Value

Glen and Nikki Tomlinson had great views at Ruidoso True Value, set in a mountain resort town. And they had a reputation for great service. They also had the ambition to expand. In late 2016, the retailers opened Socorro True Value in the Rio Grande Valley, after buying and renovating an existing store. “We have the latest and greatest of everything out there, but more than anything we have the biggest inventory of basic hardware needs,” Glen Tomlinson told the Chieftain newspaper.

New York

Buckingham Hardware

On Main Street in upstate Croghan, N.Y., this Orgill customer promotes itself as the destination where “work meets play.” Buckingham Hardware and Great Outdoors has a reputation for trying new niches, and responding to their customers needs. A second floor serves the hunting, fishing and camping customer with expertise and local knowledge.

North Dakota

Smith Lumber Do it Best Hardware

“It was definitely a big leap,” said Tim Durheim, owner of the Do it Best retailer in Valley City. He was referring to the 90-year-old company’s transition in 2014 from a small contractor yard into a home center, rental center, lumberyard and garden center — and a jump from three employees to 20. “We went into a new facility, gave us a lot more space and added a hardware store,” he said. “It’s been great. The town has been receptive and very supportive.”

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