Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
When HomCo Lumber & Hardware in Flagstaff, Arizona, moved to a new location, the management team got creative with storage solutions in the new space. Throughout the retail areas, extra merchandise is stored above gondolas and shelves, hidden behind large photo montages that tell the history of the area and the company. The photos are installed on sliding doors that give employees easy access to additional products.
Chief operating officer Todd Callan says the photos represent important pieces of the company’s storied history and also provide a clever way to hide overstock merchandise.
“The extra products are still accessible and easy to reach, and the photos add a personalized touch to the store,” he says. “Our company culture is extremely important to us, and these photos are one way we can share that culture with our customers and remind our staff of the heritage their work supports.”
Honoring a Furry Friend
Just a few steps from Settergren’s of Linden Hills in Minneapolis, Minnesota, a bronze statue pays homage to beloved store dog Jäger, who passed away in 2019. A long-time customer started a GoFundMe fundraiser to raise money for a commissioned statue of Jäger, which was completed and dedicated in August 2020 thanks to generous donations from customers and the community, says owner Mark Settergren.
“We also added a park bench to what we now call Jäger’s Park along with a plaque that tells the story of Jäger and his role as the unofficial mayor of Linden Hills,” Settergren says. “It’s so great to see people come out and see his statue. It was the community that really pulled together to keep his name going. It’s a cool thing.”
Jäger became a part of the Settergren Ace family in 2005 at the operation’s Penn Avenue location. In 2011, Jäger moved to the new store in Linden Hills where he lived out the rest of his days greeting customers and becoming a mainstay of the store. Jäger was a Münsterländer, a rare breed of hunting dog known for their mellow and family-oriented temperaments. Along with the statue, Jäger’s memory lives on in the newest store dog, Jürgen, who is Jäger’s grandson.
“Jäger was well-known in the community and everyone loved him; many customers and families would come in just to see him,” Settergren says. “Jäger had a very special personality, he would greet you at the door and just wanted to make you happy.”
Lots of Live Edge Wood Options
From countertops to cutting boards, live edge wood is a popular choice for many woodworking projects. Customers at Hartville Hardware in Hartville, Ohio, can shop a large selection of live edge wood pieces to use for their projects. The section includes varying sizes of wood slabs in a wide variety of wood types, including cherry, maple, rosewood, macacauba and more.
