Westminster, Mass.-based Aubuchon Hardware, a 121-store independent chain operating in the Northeastern United States, celebrated a grand opening of its Lake Placid, N.Y., location April 7.

The new store, a replacement of the previous Lake Placid location down the street, was built to reflect the style of an Adirondack mountain lodge, according to Bernard Aubuchon, Jr. “It’s really a good looking store,” he told Home Channel News. “It’s an Adirondack-style building with wooden beams and stone foundation work along the outside.”

An article in the Waukee Patch tells the secret of Waukee Hardware Store, still competing favorably with all comers after 122 years.

Owner Geoff Warmouth describes his brand of retail as "convenience hardware," and finds that the bigger competitors attract a different type of customer. 

According to an article in the Albanyherald.com, Hardware, Bolts, Tools and Tillage celebrated the grand opening of a new store in Albany, Ga., Friday.

Known as HBT, the company was founded in Tifton, Ga., in 1981. Its motto is, "We doze, but we never close," the article reported.

There are great hardware stores in every corner of this country. Home Channel News has identified 50 -- one for each state -- in its May issue. 

Continuing the report of all-star hardware stores in order alphabetical, here are Florida, Georgia and Hawaii:

Steve Mahurin, the former Home Depot and True Value Co. merchandising executive, will take over as the senior merchant at San Jose, Calif.-based Orchard Supply Hardware.

Mahurin's appointment as executive VP and chief merchandising officer takes effect May 2. He will replace Steve Olsen, who has been named senior VP and chief strategy officer for the California hardware chain. Both men will report to Mark Baker, who was named CEO earlier this year. 

In September of 2010, Nichols Hardware owners Ted and Karen Nichols died in a car accident, leaving the future of their classic Purcellville, Va., hardware store in doubt. 

McDaniel's Do-it Center of Snohomish, Wash. received and Excellence in Business Award from the Snohomish Chamber of Commerce.

The award was presented at a March 15 board meeting, during which the hardware store was cited for its quality products, its customer loyalty and its ability to weather the storm of a recession.

Jeff Schulein of Crown Ace Hardware has accomplished what few dealers can lay claim to: 17 stores, a solid succession plan and, since the economic downturn, no store closures or major employee layoffs. In fact, Schulein and his son, Mark, are in negotiations to open an 18th store, this one in San Diego. 


“I’m an entrepreneur who does things by the seat of his pants,” Jeff said. “Mark is a good manager. He’s highly organized. So together we make a good team.”