Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
Last week, the North American Retail Hardware Association director of retail outreach, Tom Marcum, learned what independent home improvement stores have to offer on the West Coast.
Starting on Tuesday, Marcum visited retailers, traveling through Vancouver, Washington, and 10 cities throughout Oregon before ending his trip on Friday in Arcata, California. During the trip, Marcum hosted and attended retailer events and visited many stores.
Reasons for Marcum’s trip included attending the grand reopening of Ceva Courtemanche’s expanded and redesigned store, Hensel’s Ace Hardware in Arcata, California. Courtemanche is a past North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) Young Retailer of the Year honoree.
While in the area, Marcum met with retailers from the Pacific Northwest. Marcum commented that each store had something unique to offer.
For example, Hensel’s Ace Hardware operates a colorful and attractive candy store within the hardware store that serves as a profitable niche. Farr’s True Value in Coos Bay, Oregon, is a large store with a wide variety of products, including fireplaces and stoves. In addition, G.W. Hardware in Woodburn, Oregon, offers a paint and paint sundries section that has the feel of a store within a store.
“I always enjoy meeting owners and employees and hearing their stories,” Marcum says. “During this trip, I didn’t leave a store without learning something. It was also great to hear about how all of the different stores support their communities through charity, supporting schools and athletic teams and other community organizations.”
Marcum also hosted a breakfast for retailers, which served as a way for retailers to connect with each other and the association.
“Any time we get the chance, NRHA likes to bring together retailers so that we can get in touch with the needs of our members. It also gives us the opportunity to update them on what’s new at their trade association,” Marcum says. “Most importantly, though, it gives retailers a nice forum to meet or reconnect with dealers in their area.”
The stores Marcum visited include:
- Wilco, Vancouver, Washington
- Parkrose Hardware, Vancouver, Washington
- Canby Builders Supply, Canby, Oregon
- Canby Ace Hardware, Canby, Oregon
- G.W. Hardware, Woodburn, Oregon
- Long Bros. Building Supply, Woodburn, Oregon
- Brooks True Value Hardware, Brooks, Oregon
- West Salem Ace Hardware, Salem, Oregon
- Madrona Hills Ace Hardware, Salem, Oregon
- Jerry’s Home Improvement Center, Eugene, Oregon
- Eugene True Value Hardware, Eugene, Oregon
- KEL-CEE Hardware, Reedsport, Oregon
- Farr’s True Value Hardware, Coos Bay, Oregon
- Gold Beach Lumber, Gold Beach, Oregon
- Hensel’s Ace, Arcata, California
