Two True Value retailers honored

Two True Value members were honored recently as “Small Business Person of the Year” by the U.S. Small Business Administration, an independent agency of the federal government that assists the small business community, the Chicago-based co-op announced.

Gary Adams of Stanton County True Value Hardware in Johnson, Kan., and Bill Englert of City True Value Hardware in Bristol, Conn., were chosen to represent their respective states. They were the only hardware retailers to be honored.

Adams, majority owner of Stanton County True Value, was a teacher and a contractor before getting into the hardware business. He took over the distressed store in 2003 and has revitalized it in this small rural community.

Englert came out of a forced early retirement to rejuvenate City True Value Hardware. He has expanded the store to compete with nearby big boxes and now has 23 employees.

Adams and Englert were recognized at the U.S. Small Business Administration’s awards ceremony held recently in Washington, D.C.