Reflections from Lou 'Mr. Fix It' Manfredini
If a Mount Rushmore of prominent U.S. home improvement figures were to be commissioned, Lou Manfredini would have a strong case for inclusion.
The former home builder has been a staple on Chicago radio for three decades, faithfully imparting a wealth of "HouseSmarts" to his loyal listeners. He's also authored a handful of books, created a nationally syndicated TV show and served as Ace Hardware's "Home Expert" since 2000. "Hardware store owner" is yet another hat Manfredini wears, though he and his wife recently decided to sell one of their two Chicago-area stores.
Below, Manfredini shares more about his remarkable journey.
Q: How did you first get into the world of hardware? Can you give us a quick rundown of your early career?
In the early part of 2000 I was working on behalf of Ace Hardware as their media spokesperson, something I still do today. I was traveling across the country meeting Ace retailers and found them to be terrific people committed to helping their community.
I came home from one trip and started a conversation with my wife Mary Beth that we should open a hardware store and run it together. She actually had more retail experience than me. I was a former home builder and worked at a hardware store as a young person in the late '70s and early '80s.
Q: How did the relationship with Ace come about? How did you become Ace’s Home Expert?
My relationship with Ace started in 2000 and have had the honor of working as their media spokesperson for a very long time. As mentioned above I was a home builder and remodeling contractor and Ace at the time had John Madden as their advertising spokesperson. It worked out that John got people to go to Ace, and my job was to help them get all the right stuff to get the job done. And though my role has changed a bit over the years with Ace, I am still working on behalf of our retailers to help promote our stores and commitment to helping people.
I now help create a lot of videos for Ace’s YouTube channel and social posts to help homeowners with their home preservation projects.
Q: What impact has your relationship with WGN had on your career?
WGN Radio has had an enormous impact on my career. Thirty years ago, I had this idea about doing a radio show to help people with their home repairs, and WGN gave me a shot.
That led to an opportunity to write my first book in 1999, then four more books after that.
It also helped launch a TV career as a contributor to NBC’s Today show for 22 years and the creation of my own TV show called "House Smarts" that was nationally syndicated and ran for 14 seasons.
This year marks 30 years that I have been on the radio every Saturday morning on one radio station, 720 WGN, which frankly is unheard of in the radio business.
I have been blessed with amazing listeners and partners over all these years, including my executive producer, Lindsey Smithwick, who has worked with me for the last 17 years.
Q: What led you to sell the Edgebrook store?
It really was a timing thing. We have two long-time key people working with us. Ed Coren and his wife, Sue Coren. They wanted to retire, our lease after 20 years was coming to an end, and my wife and I, who have several other business interests, were looking to trim things down.
When we bought the store, it was a True Value store that needed to be updated both in the look and the merchandise. We converted it to an Ace, and Ed and Sure poured their heart and soul into making the store what it has become today.
At our grand opening, the store was packed, and Ed Coren stopped me and said: “I don’t think we can get any more people in this store.” That was the moment that both Ed and I knew this store was going to be an important part of the community. It was and will continue to be as part of the new ownership.
Q: Do you plan to hang onto your other hardware store, and/or do you have any other hardware store plans?
We own Villa Park Ace Hardware, and yes, we plan to continue owning and operating that store for the foreseeable future.
We have a terrific staff there and also a wonderful community that we are a small part of. Our plans are to enhance the store with new product offerings and some operational things to help us better serve the community and run more efficiently.
Q: Do you have any guidance on how smaller hardware stores can compete with big-box competition moving forward?
I have often said that as small single hardware store owners, our competition is not Home Depot, Lowe's or Menards. Our competition is our landlord and taxes. If you have the opportunity to buy the real estate, do it -- it will only make your business worth more and help you control costs and increase profits.
Q: Can you share some of your favorite memories from your unique career? What’re some personal highlights that come to mind?
In the early part of this century I traveled a lot on behalf of Ace Hardware and I got to see people from all across the USA. In fact, I have been to all 50 states, and you know there is an Ace in every one. Many in fact.
Q: Any special plans or projects in the works for the future?
Well, we just had our first grandchild, and any and all future plans will most definitely include her!
