Issue 4 | 2022
Do it Best members around NHPA Top Gun
the world continue to
The North American Hardware and Paint
demonstrate perseverance, Association annually honors progressive
heartfelt service, leaders in the home improvement industry
through their Top Guns program.
leadership, and innovation
in the communities they Pat Sullivan – Sullivan Hardware & Garden
serve. We’re excited to in Indianapolis, IN
celebrate our 2022 award
The Sullivan team knows it’s essential to
winners (so far) and stand out in Indianapolis, especially when big Pat Sullivan
showcase their unique box stores are nearby. Top Gun Pat Sullivan
strategies making them and his team have elevated the shopping
stand out in the industry. experience for pros and DIYers with seasonal
events, cooking classes, a restaurant, and
in-store weddings. Pat has also gained visibility for the business with TV
segments and an incredible product selection, and he even received a
Sagamore of the Wabash award from Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb.
NHPA Young Retailer of the Year
The NHPA proudly recognizes the next generation of
independent home improvement retailers 35 years of age or
younger.
Kyle Adair – Maycrest Hardware in Savannah, GA
Kyle Adair’s love of building things began as a child trying
to build a better mousetrap and conquering complex Lego
kits. He went to college to be an engineer and landed Kyle Adair
a job building jet parts. Kyle wanted to shift to a career
helping others as the new owner of Savannah’s oldest Jade Haynie
hardware store and local landmark—Maycrest Hardware.
The hardware store underwent a complete renovation to maximize each square foot with a
perfect product mix for the area. Kyle also brought in a POS system to maintain inventory
and provide valuable data to make smart merchandising decisions.
Jade Haynie – Northwest Hardware in Billings, MT
Jade Haynie connected with the owner of Billings Hardware in Billings, MT while he was in college. At the time, he was
unsure of his future career path but knew he enjoyed helping around the store and remodeling houses with his uncle. He
made such a great impression at Billings Hardware that he was entrusted to transform a former furniture store into another
location as the business grew. The emerging industry leader now serves as the general manager for multiple Northwest
Hardware locations and is always looking for ways to grow professionally.
NLBMDA/HBSDealer Independent ProDealer of the Year
This award is selected by the editors of HBSDealer and the National
Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association to recognize
a high-performance independent lumberyard with less than 5
locations committed to best practices and industry values.
Mike Reeves – Espy Lumber in Hilton Head, SC
In 1958, Hilton Head was growing into a popular tourist destination
and prompted the need for a one-stop building materials shop. Fast forward
to 2022, and Espy Lumber Company is a regional staple with an integral Mike Reeves
role in building projects large and small. The staff is known for their honesty,
product expertise, and excellent level of customer service. Mike Reeves and his team stay competitive by instilling a
problem-solving culture. Growth-driven initiatives at the lumberyard include an expansion to increase installed sales
and a customized Six Sigma program for the team.
LBM Journal Dealers of the Year
Dave Davis LBM Journal’s Dealer of the Year awards salute the entrepreneurial spirit of leaders
who excel at serving their customers, identifying underserved or emerging markets,
Richard Tabet & and working to grow and improve their businesses and communities.
Kenneth Trujillo
Dave Davis – Spahn & Rose Lumber Co.
Spahn & Rose is based in Dubuque with 23 locations in Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin.
The acquisition of their newest location in Marietta, GA,
many states away from their home base, was made possible
through the use of technology which has allowed them to
centralize processes like managing inventory and sales data.
The investment in technology allows each location’s team
to focus on providing a great customer experience. Dave Davis and his team
continue to look for opportunities to build on their quality service since the first
lumberyard was founded in 1904.
Richard and Sue Tabet & Kenneth and Ana Trujillo – RAKS Building Supply
RAKS Building Supply’s commitment to the family business is all in the name.
RAKS is made of the initials of the four owners’ first names. The Albuquerque,
NM-based lumberyard has been recognized for their commitment to
keeping up on inventory and delivering anywhere in New Mexico, which
spans 122,000 square miles. The business has grown to 215 well-trained and
knowledgeable staff across 5 locations who can fill an order in less than four
hours of a call and get that truck rolling to a building site.
HBSDealer Hardware All Stars
Hardware + Building Supply Dealer magazine covers the retailers,
distributors, and manufacturers serving the hardware, lumber,
Delta Building Supply and farm & ranch markets. Each year, they honor successful,
Delta Junction, Alaska service- and community-oriented independent dealers, or
The 100,000 sq. ft. home All Stars, in every state. We salute a record 23 Do it Best
improvement powerhouse members who’ve been elevated to All Star status this year.
caters to a unique customer
base near the Alaskan pipeline Heisler’s Do it Best® Hardware
and Denali National Park. The
team maximizes their sizable Spearfish, South Dakota
retail space and stocks a
warehouse with everything from After Pam Heisler’s husband Todd
appliances to home furnishings. passed away last year, she was
determined to keep the family business
alive. She oversaw a complete store
reset and remodel focusing on female
Angeles Millwork & customers with an expanded selection of
Hartnagel Building Supply guns, ammo, and gun safety classes.
Washington
The employee-owned Howshar Hardware Geneva Home Center
lumberyards and hardware
stores serve the greater Olympic Guernsey, Wyoming Geneva, Nebraska
Peninsula with a high level of
customer service and industry For nearly 70 years, the The Loontjer family has
knowledge to benefit pros and Howshar team has honed in created a notorious shopping
DIYers. The two operations on niche categories serving experience with ladies’ nights,
have different niches in paint nearby railroad and coal Sip ‘n Shop events, and an
and roofing, along with a robust industries, along with their annual Jingle and Mingle
selection of power tools. inventory geared toward with Santa. The family has
National Guard and Air Force placed a strong emphasis
training bases nearby. on seasonal shopping with a
yuletide wonderland to make
any Grinch’s heart grow.
There’s Ganahl Burns Do it Center® Groom & Sons’
More to Come Lumber Company
Clovis, New Mexico Texas
Several awards will be California
announced later this year Owner James Burns When they say full
including HBSDealer Top Women Founded in 1884, Ganahl has all the inventory service, the Groom &
in Hardware & Building Supply is the oldest lumberyard you’d expect at a well- Sons’ team means it. The
and The Hardware Connection and hardware supply merchandised home Groom family founded
Beacon Awards. Congratulations store in the Golden center with opportunities the business in 1948,
to all of our winners and nominees. State. The family- and to expand. When a nearby priding themselves in
Follow our Facebook, Instagram, employee-owned department store closed, having all products
LinkedIn, Twitter accounts to see business has 10 locations the center increased their needed to build from
the announcements first! around Los Angeles with housewares and gifts. pouring the foundation
products for pros and DIY The store also gives back to shingling the roof.
enthusiasts alike.
to their local Air
Force base.
Beisswenger’s Hardware O.C. McCuin & Sons Damariscotta Hardware
New Brighton, Minnesota Highgate Center, Vermont Damariscotta, Maine
The team celebrates more than a Back in 1920, O.C. McCuin Customers don’t have to worry
century of outstanding service, dating about product assembly or
back to before New Brighton was & Sons began as a source Jed’s Hardware most repairs with high-quality
proclaimed as a city. Since 1919, the customer service. Updated
Beisswenger family saying has been for feed and supplies for Holden, Massachusetts décor and an expanded lawn
“If we don’t have it, you don’t need it.” and garden department led to
farmers. Today, they’ve Owner Jim Berube turned a unprecedented sales records.
How-To Building Center evolved into specialty warehouse into 12,000 sq. ft.
categories including of retail space and added Rand’s Hardware
Sioux Center, Iowa heating fuels, high-end an outdoor greenhouse.
logging tools, wood and The business prides itself Plymouth, New
A major expansion in 2016 pellet stoves, and livestock in nontraditional items, a Hampshire
made How-To the go-to for including honeybees and year-round grill room, and
outdoor power equipment, turkeys. a 70-foot wall of fastener The hardware store
grills, and appliances. Their has been a regional
full-service paint department drawers described institution since 1908.
is a Top 10 paint destination Their niche beekeeping
in the state. The team also Nitterhouse Masonry & Hardware as a builder’s dream. category has made
knows how to help build Rand’s a destination for
confinement barns and make Chambersburg, Pennsylvania amateur and experienced
accommodations during beekeepers with
supply chain disruptions. The Nitterhouse team is known for educational sessions to
learning the names of their customers stay up on the latest buzz.
to make each interaction more
personal and memorable. They also
offer rental items that are tough to find,
such as a full yard concrete mixer, cut-
off saw, and step setter.
Adams Lumber and Homestore Wagner Hardware Wilmington, Delaware
Council Grove, Kansas The end of a lease marked the beginning of a
growth opportunity for Chuck Wagner. He moved
Family-owned and to a larger location where his team was able
operated since 1969, staff to re-merchandise the store and expand their
at the 12,000-sq.-ft. store outdoor living and building materials selection.
specialize in custom
homes and building Clinton Do it Best® Hardware
garages and docks.
They’re also the region’s go-to Clinton, Maryland
for grills, appliances, and Husqvarna
outdoor power equipment.
Weiss Do it Best® Lumber Team Clinton’s fun-loving-spirit and helpful
service are showcased on Facebook, which
Perryville, Arkansas welcomes customers who may have never thought
about stepping into a hardware store before. Out-
This lumberyard has the comfort of a small-town of-the-box displays like wine barrels for dump bins
operation with a big-time inventory. Weiss’ team also keep eyes wandering through the store.
cuts and loads supplies and provides educational
opportunities for pro and DIY customers.
Lumber Mart Hartman’s Hardware Hardman’s West Virginia
Guymon, Oklahoma Boutte, Louisiana The fourth-generation family business recently
oversaw a complete store remodel at their
Lumber Mart has had the When Hurricane Ida hit the Gulf Glenville location with all-new fixtures, shelving,
community covered with Coast last year, Hartman’s didn’t counters, and signage to draw eyes to their key
everything from high-end stop. Even with flooded floors, no categories with products shoppers request.
custom cabinetry and electricity, and an entire exterior
flooring to hardware and wall missing—they remained open Taylor’s Building Supply Eastpoint, Florida
rental equipment for more to serve homeowners in need. The
than 60 years. The team also new interior and exterior redesign All store hands are on deck, especially during hurricane
supports many local service afterward has helped accelerate season when orders need to be taken with a flashlight and
projects to help the elderly, their profit margins. neighborhoods need to be repaired. Severe weather doesn’t
homeless, and youth. stop growth as they constantly bring in new products and
host lunch and learn sessions about new items.
CORE REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN
College of Retail Education (CORE) is the best and
fastest way to learn how to maximize the Do it Best relationship.
The next session runs from August 15–18 in Fort Wayne, IN. Join us.
Brownsboro We’re posting content daily that highlights our company’s achievements
Hardware & Paint and members’ successes. Be sure to Find, Friend & Follow us on
Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.
(Louisville, KY)
Coltrain Home
Grill masters host the & Hardware
community to share grilling
safety and tips to prepare (Ayden, NC)
mouth-watering meats,
veggies, and even pizzas. Sarah and Shane
Coltrain are DIYers
Connolly’s Do it Best hammering out a
Hardware deal to open a much-
needed hardware
(Fort Wayne, IN) store in their region.
The team is pre-packing Hardware All
shopping carts with popular Stars
spring purchases so
customers can have more A record 23 Do it
time outside. Best members were
named to the 2022
Hardware All Stars
list by HBSDealer
magazine.
Jeffries Hardware Pilot Lumber
(Columbia, KY) (Bellevue, KY)
It’s been six years since Steve Bennett didn’t
Leon Lewis got a life- grow up helping around
saving liver transplant. a lumberyard. He
Since then, he’s renewed earned an MBA, built
his passion in his business his business expertise,
and in singing. and wanted to invest in
the home improvement
Providence Do it Best industry.
Home Center
RAKS Building
(Providence, KY) Supply
The Providence team (New Brighton, MN)
has found its niche in
selling mattresses to give Unique services at
homeowners a one-stop RAKS have gained
shop for flooring, cabinets, national recognition,
appliances, and beds. including automated
machinery and saws
to make trusses.