Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
Industry veteran and owner of Sullivan Hardware and Garden in Indianapolis, Pat Sullivan, is taking the stage at the 2026 Independent Home Improvement Conference, July 29-30 in Orlando, Florida. Sullivan will be joined on stage by Anthony Bogucki, COO of Bogucki Enterprises, for a conversation about shaping the future of independent retail, moderated by Lindsey Thompson, NHPA editor and director of content development.
Sullivan is widely known in Indianapolis for his unique retail operation and his ability to turn a hardware store and garden center into a must-see destination. The flagship store is known throughout the state as the place to go during the holiday season and brings more than 50,000 visitors through the store from early November through Christmas Eve. The Sullivan Express is a holiday-themed train that takes children of all ages on a tour of the North Pole—an extravagantly decorated greenhouse—to meet Santa Claus. At the new garden center, a similar event is taking shape in celebration of Halloween, with Sullivan Express to Pumpkintown now a Fall tradition.
The restaurant is another unexpected draw that Pat says developed out of the company’s focus on another seasonal product: grills. To become a destination for grills, first, the business stocked dozens of different grills and price points. Second, they established a commercial kitchen to host grilling classes. The kitchen became an attraction throughout the year for classes and when it was open during the Sullivan Express season.
“No matter how small you are, you need to be a fun place to shop,” he says. “As hardware stores, we have all hung our hat on good service, but everyone expects good service. So if you start there, you’re at zero, so now what do you have?”
Hear Pat speak on July 30, from 2-3 p.m. in the Mediterranean Ballroom. Register for the Independent Home Improvement Conference here.
