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Celebrate the best of the best in the independent industry at the 2025 Independent Home Improvement Conference, where we will recognize honorees of three of the industry’s biggest awards: The Beacon Awards, the Young Retailer of the Year Awards and the Top Guns Awards.
For 13 years, the Beacon Awards have honored innovative dealers who represent the future of the hardware industry. The awards’ categories include the Retail Beacon Award and Best New Store. The Retail Beacon Award is presented to retailers for overall long-term excellence in retail hardware store operations, merchandising and community involvement. The Best New Store Award highlights innovation in retail store operations and design in stores that have recently been built from the ground up or completely reset. Participating wholesale sponsors Do it Best and Orgill nominate stores for these categories.
New for 2025, the Digital Beacon Awards, sponsored by WD-40 Low Odor, recognize independent hardware retailers and home improvement centers that excel in digital marketing, engagement and innovation. These awards honor outstanding achievements in categories such as Best Social Media Post, Best Social Media Campaign, Best Website or E-Commerce Experience, Outstanding Community Engagement, and Top Digital Advertising Campaign. The highest distinction, the Beacon Award for Digital Excellence, will be presented to the most exemplary overall submission during the IHI Conference in Orlando.
The Beacon Awards ceremony includes a video about each recipient and trophy presentations to winners and sponsors. This year’s winners—who will be honored at the awards reception the evening of July 30—will be profiled in the September 2025 issue of Hardware Connection.
The Beacon Awards are sponsored by Epicor, Ettore Products Company, Fluidmaster, WD-40 and Hardware Connection magazine. Wholesale sponsors are Do it Best, True Value and Orgill.
Young Retailer of the Year Awards
The Young Retailer of the Year program, now in its 29th year, identifies and promotes the next generation of aspiring independent home improvement, paint and decorating retailers. It recognizes individual achievement by industry retailers age 35 and younger throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Honorees are chosen based on a number of criteria, including professional milestones, community engagement, continuing hardware industry education and extracurricular activities, and fall into one of three categories: multistore, under $3 million sales volume and over $3 million sales volume.
Sponsors of the 2025 Young Retailer of the Year program include: American Hardware & Lumber Insurance, ECI Software Solutions, Midwest Fastener and Wooster Brush.
Cody Goeppner, NHPA program lead for advanced education and training and 2020 Young Retailer of the Year honoree, says the recognition was a turning point for him as it highlighted the hard work he had poured into his career and introduced him to a broader community of passionate, forward-thinking retailers.
“As someone who grew up in my family’s hardware store and spent years as a retailer myself, I know firsthand how much heart, grit and innovation it takes to succeed in this industry,” Goeppner says. “Now, stepping into my new role at NHPA, it’s an incredible honor to support and celebrate the next generation of leaders. This program truly shines a spotlight on the people who are shaping the future of independent retail.”
Multistore
- Jay Engler, Busy Beaver Building Centers
- Jacqueline Fenton, Hassett Ace Hardware
- Ryan Leger, Richibucto Home Hardware Building Centre
- Matthew Spinks, Lumber King
Over $3 Million
Under $3 Million
Top Guns Awards
For the past 19 years, the North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) has recognized high-achieving retailers in the independent home improvement channel with the Top Guns Awards program. NHPA has named Jeff Grasty, president of Florida Paints, as one of its 2024 honorees.
“Top Guns honorees are pillars of innovation and forward-thinking who have helped grow their businesses through strategic leadership with consideration for their communities, their teams and the industry,” says Bob Cutter, NHPA president and CEO. “Top Guns honorees exemplify what makes the independent channel great.”
- Jeff Grasty, President of Florida Paints
- Ryan Ringer, President of Gold Beach Lumber Yard
- Hervey Wright, President of Home Lumber and Supply Co.
