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Join us for an unforgettable evening at the Independents Awards Gala, taking place at the 2026 Independent Home Improvement Conference. On the second day of the conference, July 29, the Independents Awards Gala will recognize outstanding retailers in the industry for their innovation, leadership and excellence and bring together three of the industry’s biggest awards: the North American Hardware and Paint Association’s (NHPA) Tops Guns Awards and Young Retailer of the Year Awards and the Hardware Connection‘s Beacon Awards.
For 20 years, NHPA has been recognizing retailers in the independent home improvement channel through the Top Guns Awards, which recognizes pillars of innovation and forward-thinking who have helped their businesses through strategic leadership. The four Top Guns honorees this year are Jason Blair, CEO of TAL Buildings; Denise Brookhouse, CEO of Koopman Lumber; Ash Ebbo, CEO of Clement’s Paint; and David Enmark, CEO of the Helpful Hardware Company.
“Top Guns honorees are pillars of innovation and forward-thinking, and have helped grow their businesses through strategic leadership with consideration for their communities, their teams and the industry,” says Scott Wright, NHPA president and publisher.
NHPA will also recognize its Young Retailer of the Year honorees and celebrate 30 years of the awards program. The Young Retailer of the Year Awards program has identified and promoted the next generation of aspiring independent home improvement, paint and decorating retailers for three decades and honored over 200 retailers.
This year’s Young Retailer of the Year honorees include:
- Haley Chapel, COO of Timberland Ace Hardware
- Sean Downey, general manager of West Whittier Paint Co.
- Jeff Kuenning, co-owner of Western Ohio True Value
- Taylor Cole, retail development and marketing support for Cole’s Hardware
- Shannon Davis Morrow, business manager for Tweedy Lumber and Hardware
- Félix-Antoine Moisan, director of operations for Jean Denis Limitée Home Hardware
- Grant Raynor, store manager for Town and Country
- Summer Vasquez, store manager & project manager for Matt’s Building Materials
“This program shines a spotlight on the people who are shaping the future of independent retail, and based on this year’s class, the future is bright,” says Cody Goeppner, NHPA director of education and training.
Hardware Connection will also recognize its Beacon Awards winners, who are honored in three categories: Retail Beacon Award, Best New Store and Digital Beacon Awards.
The Retail Beacon Awards recognize individuals and companies whose sustained contributions have helped shape the independent home improvement industry. Considered the program’s highest honor, the award celebrates long-term leadership, innovation and service to customers and communities.
The 2026 Retail Beacon Award recipients are:
- Bill Gilbert, Gilbert’s Hardware, Michigan
- Mark and Joe Jaconski, Stanley’s Hardware, Philadelphia
- Tommy Simpson, Beaufort Hardware, Beaufort, North Carolina
The Beacon Award for Best New Store recognizes retailers that have successfully launched or transformed locations through thoughtful design, merchandising and customer experience.
The 2026 Best New Store honorees are:
- Big Rapids Lumber & Hardware, Big Rapids, Michigan
- Howard Walker’s True Value Hardware, Henrietta, Texas
- Riverside Building Materials, Rio Grande City, Texas
Now in their second year, the Digital Beacon Awards recognize retailers leveraging their websites, social media, e-commerce and digital storytelling to strengthen customer relationships and extend their reach beyond the four walls of the store. Comprising five specialty categories, the Digital Beacon Awards celebrate outstanding achievement in online retailing, with the Beacon Award for Digital Excellence reserved for the retailer whose digital efforts shine brightest across all areas.
The highest distinction, the Beacon Award for Digital Excellence, goes to:
- Ambridge Do it Best Home Center, Ambridge, Pennsylvania
“This year’s winners reflect the breadth of independent retailing—from long-standing industry leaders to retailers embracing new ways to connect with customers both in-store and online,” says Doug Donaldson, editor for Hardware Connection.
