Sullivan Hardware owner honored
Pat Sullivan, owner of Sullivan Hardware & Garden, located in Indianapolis, Ind., and a member of Do it Best Corp., recently received the “Sagamore of the Wabash” award, one of Indiana’s highest honors given for distinguished service for the state and residents.
Sullivan spoke by phone about getting the award. The owner, who likes a low profile, said he was “in the middle of broadcasting my weekend radio show, when radio station dignitaries just showed up and presented the award.”
The always busy Sullivan co-hosts The Home and Garden Radio Show on Saturdays on local radio WIBC 93.1FM. with Denny Smith, answering callers’ home and garden questions.
Spin the dial back in time: In 2004, he sought to find a niche for his business and wanted to be not only a leader in the competitive local Indianapolis hardware market but in patio furniture, grills, fireplaces and all outdoor experiences.
“We started soaring from there,” said Sullivan.
How did the business blow up and get so big?
“We became an entertainment venue, not just grilling classes, but big events such as dinners, comedy shows and the really popular Christmas Trains during holidays,” the owner said.
“We have six trackless trains running seven days a week. The tickets get sold out. It’s just crazy. There’s a story line during the rides, people love it,” said Sullivan.
“Lots of our events raise money for various charities, such as Alzheimer’s, and that might have a lot to do with why they gave me this award,” said Sullivan, who took a few minutes out of his hectic day to chat.
In one example of those efforts, he said, “we held a weekend radiothon where I spent nine hours on a marathon radio broadcast, and we raised $425,000 for the Salvation Army.”
If he wasn’t busy enough, this past chairman of the board of directors for Do it Best Corp. is also featured in “Weekend Sunrise,” a home improvement T.V. segment on WTHR, the Indianapolis NBC affiliate, Sunday mornings during the 7 a.m. hour.
Sullivan Hardware was founded by his father Robert Sullivan in 1954, and Pat took over in 1990. He opened two additional stores, one in Indianapolis and the other in Cicero, Ind.; and purchased Allisonville Nursery in Fishers, Ind.
The Sagamore of the Wabash award was created during the term of Gov. Ralph Gates, who served Indiana from 1945 to 1949. This year’s award was given by current Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb (not pictured).
The term “sagamore” was used by the American Indian Tribes of the northeastern U.S. to describe a great man among the tribe. The Sagamores have been conferred upon both men and women.