Zeskind's makes another Maryland move
Zeskind’s Hardware and Millwork has acquired Clement Hardware in a deal that closed on March 31.
While Zeskind’s legacy business is in retail hardware, over the past 15 years the company has grown to become one of Maryland’s leading manufacturers and wholesale distributors of windows, doors, and custom millwork products. The company is a fourth-generation family-owned business founded in 1925.
Clement Hardware has been a staple of Severna Park, Maryland, since its founding in 1969 by David Clement. The hardware store carried a reputation of having knowledgeable staff who know their customers by name. All current Clement employees will now continue on as employees of Zeskind’s.
“This acquisition means a lot to me personally, having grown up in Severna Park,” said Zeskind's Owner and President Rick Miller Jr., who is a Severna Park native. “I can’t emphasize enough the amount of respect I have for Gordon Clement, his family, and the amazing team of people at Clement Hardware. Having the opportunity to carry on the legacy of this store is a responsibility we do not take lightly."
In homage to its location in Severna Park, the new store will be named “Park Hardware.”
“It would not feel right putting my family’s name on such a Severna Park icon,” Miller said. “This store belongs to the people and the town of Severna Park, and so Park Hardware is the only option in my opinion.”
In addition to a full exterior and interior store remodel, Zeskind’s will be changing the retail affiliation to Do it Best and moving their current Arnold, Maryland, Door & Window showroom to its latest retail store.
Clement Hardware was already a well-known destination across Maryland for their decorative/architectural hardware showroom, which includes high-end brands such as Baldwin, Emtek and many others, Miller said.
By combining Zeskind’s Door and Window Showroom with the existing signature offerings, the result will be a dazzling combination of doors, windows, and decorative hardware all in one modern and sleek showroom, with designated staff to assist designers, builders, and homeowners, according to Miller.
On display will be major brands such as Andersen, Jeld Wen, Masonite and Therma Tru, as well as offerings from Zeskind’s own in-house custom shop.
Miller’s great-grandfather Sam Zeskind opened a corner hardware store in 1925 to serve Baltimore City. This original retail store still serves the community today under the leadership of Rick Miller, Sr. who has run the store with wife Debbie since 1973.
During a recent Baltimore expansion, Zeskind’s broke ground in 2015 on a new 10,000-square foot-warehouse, while simultaneously renovating its existing 8,000-square-foot warehouse into a door-hanging facility, offices and showroom.
In 2019, Zeskind’s opened a high-end door and window showroom in Arnold, just north of Annapolis. The following year, Zeskind’s acquired third-generation family business Lamar and Wallace, adding 70,000 square feet of warehouse, offices, and showroom to their portfolio. By acquiring Clement Hardware, Zeskind’s now employs over 60 individuals.
Zeskind’s is also the leading Jeld Wen Elite Dealer in the region and the area’s largest supplier of Jeld Wen’s complete line of window, interior and exterior door products.
In Baltimore City and the surrounding areas, Zeskind’s is known as a leader in providing materials for historically accurate tax credit projects for CHAP, Maryland Historic Trust, and Federal Tax Credit projects.
In Baltimore, Annapolis, and Washington, D.C., the company works with designers and architects of distinction to provide windows, doors, and other materials for renovations and new construction.
