Ken White arrived at Handy Hardware in May with a clear-cut mandate and straightforward goals. Specifically, get Handy’s information technology program back on track, and put the company on path for growth.

Sulphur Springs, Texas — “Let me show you something.”


That’s how an employee at Fix & Feed Sulphur Springs Hardware greeted a reporter who was visiting the store about 80 miles east of Dallas on a hot July weekday. She marched to a back room of the 20,000-sq.-ft. hardware store to a door marked “Keep this door closed at all times,” and led the visitor inside. 


“Here is where we make the fudge,” she said. 


As Handy Hardware celebrates its 50th anniversary, one of its Texas hardware and lumberyard dealers is preparing for its 100th.


Seven-location Woodson Lumber, based in Brenham, Texas, operates in the small towns in the economically diverse Dallas, Houston, San Antonio Triangle. The chain was founded by HP Woodson in 1913, and today is run by his granddaughter Ann Chapman. 


The first-of-its-kind Home Channel News list of 50 hardware store all-stars visits stores with southern charm, historic charm and the universal charm of double-digit sales growth. Below, the state-by-state guide winds through Mississippi, Missouri and Montana. 

Members of the Houston-based Handy Hardware co-op received an e-mail message Thursday afternoon from Kenneth White, a partner at consulting firm Tatum, announcing that White will assume the post of CEO.

Several weeks ago, Handy's board of directors hired Tatum to "assess the critical operating, financial and IT related issues currently facing Handy Hardware," according to Thursday's letter. The board voted to accept Tatum's action plan. 

From New York's Island to the Redwood Forests, the great American hardware store maintains a revered place in commercial history of these United States. 

The May issue of Home Channel News compiled the first-ever Hardware Store All Star list. Here are three of the 50: standout stores from Arkansas, California and Colorado.

Houston-based hardlines co-op Handy Hardware pointed to sales growth of 4.1% in its first quarter of 2011.

In a statement released Monday, the company also addressed the challenges resulting from its transition to a new computer operating system during the first quarter of 2011.

"We have gotten past the worst of this transition, and our numbers are climbing back up to our historical service level marks," said Tina Kirbie, president.

During the Handy Hardware Wholesale Spring Market in Houston, president Tina Kirbie pointed to a handful of economic indicators that bode well for hardware stores in 2011.

She started her roll call of positive macroeconomic metrics with the index of leading economic indicators, which rose 1% in December from November. The index increased 3.3% in the second half of 2010, compared with a first-half gain of 2.4%.

Houston-based co-op Handy Hardware Wholesale opens its 50th Anniversary Spring Market today in Houston. The event runs through Feb. 5.

Handy’s market floor will open at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday and will close at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 5.  Market incentives will be enhanced as five market attendees will have the opportunity to draw for up to $50,000 in cash at the close of the market. Following the market close, the member-owned distributor will continue the celebration with a private concert by Sony BMG recording artist Kellie Pickler.