Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
This annual award program recognizes outstanding retailers age 35 or younger for their career accomplishments, community involvement and ongoing education within the industry. Honorees are selected from three categories: stores with less than $2 million in sales, stores with more than $2 million in sales and operations with multiple stores.
For 25 years, the Young Retailer of the Year program has highlighted the skills and successes of the next generation of independent hardware and home improvement leaders (and now paint retailers). Hear from some of last year’s honorees on what the award means to them.
“To be selected as a 2020 Young Retailer of the Year was a tremendous honor. When I saw the level of talent, and the stories of all the great entrepreneurs selected, I felt truly humbled to be considered among such a talented group. Given the state of 2020, it was a huge morale boost to my team as the award was a direct representation of the commitment and performance of our entire staff at both of my locations.”
Ryan Buck, owner, Buck’s Home Building Centre and New Germany Home Hardware Building Centre, Bridgewater and New Germany, Nova Scotia, Canada
“Winning this award has helped to validate our decisions in opening DeMaris Hardware. While we still have a lot to learn about the hardware store and owning your own business, we’re especially honored to be among an elite few.”
Katie DeMaris, owner, DeMaris Hardware, St. Ansgar, Iowa
“It was great to be honored as one of the Young Retailers of the Year. I am very proud of my entire team at Buffalo Hardware—they are the ones who made it possible to be recognized for something like this. The entire team takes great pride in the store receiving national recognition.”
Sam Olsen, co-owner and manager, Buffalo Hardware, Buffalo, South Dakota
“Being recognized as a Young Retailer of the Year in 2020 was a huge win not just for me, but for my team. We are only as good as the people that surround us and we were honored to have been nominated and selected by the people we love to serve.”
Weston Jacobs, owner-operator, Weakley-Watson Hardware, Brownwood, Texas
NHPA would like to thank the program’s sponsors for their dedication to the independent channel. Thank you to Arrow Fastener, Epicor, Fluidmaster, Intertape Polymer Group (IPG), Midwest Fastener, MiTek and Pony Jorgensen.
