As America's largest hardware store, the 305,000 square foot man-cave on steroids, and every woman's center for dream projects on her "honey-to-do-list", pretty much sums it up. Its seventeen major departmental areas make it very difficult to begin to describe Hartville Hardware, as the products and services range from Lumber and Building Materials, Tools, Appliances, a John Deere dealership, its own restaurant, and so much more. In fact, several large suppliers have been allotted their own floor space in the building to help showcase the merchandise; which is a brilliant marketing strategy. A section of the lower building also provides a mechanic shop to repair tractors, equipment, and tools.
The construction and concept of the store was developed to be the best of the best that required several years of research in traveling around the country for inspiration from other retailers, owners, and designers to become truly unique. It is easy to see the layout of the store was designed with the customer in mind. The simplest of features include multiple entrance/exit/checkout locations, knowledgeable-trained departmental staff, and the indoor three lane drive thru lumber yard allow ease for customers to make it a more personal and positive experience for both contractors and individuals. The more complex features include an 1850 square foot showcase house and multiple kitchen and bath displays to motivate creativity for the Kitchen and Bath Design Center.
An average day brings 3,000 or more individuals through the store. It appears the future is bright and growth is continuing to lead Hartville Hardware from one year to the next. Their thirteen delivery vehicles cover a 75 mile radius delivering lumber, appliances, power equipment, etc. The appliance department has had growth of over 400% since the building expansion, selling over 500 appliances in one week alone, growth is evident. Furthermore, Hartville is in the process of an expansion in the spring of 2016 for an outdoor grill patio department.
As a product supplier to Hartville’s lumber yard for only a short year, Yoder Lumber is looking forward to see what new ways we can strengthen our relationship and product services to continue the growth. Hartville Hardware is a one of a kind experience the whole family can enjoy from a trip through the hardware store, across the aisle way to the collectibles, stopping in at the flea market, and grabbing a bite to eat at the restaurant. The theory rings true, "Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover", as Hartville Hardware is so much more than just a hardware store.
By Danielle Scott
Sales/Customer Service Department