Costello’s Ace Hosts Vendor Summit, Do it Best Foundation Announces Grants, Nation’s Best Makes Another Acquisition and Much More!
Costello’s Ace Hosts Vendor Summit, Do it Best Foundation Announces Grants, Nation’s Best Makes Another Acquisition and Much More!
This week, more than 50 vendor representatives gathered at the Costello’s Ace Vendor Summit to explore 2025 product lines and discuss business strategies with the Northeast-based retailer, which operates 51 locations. Celebrating 51 years in business, CEO Michael Costello opened the summit with a focus on teamwork, reflecting on the family business’s history and vision for growth. The summit also featured new initiatives and expansion plans, including the addition of five to six stores in 2025. Costello’s presented its Vendor of the Year Award to Stanley Black & Decker. For the full story, see Hardware Connection’s complete coverage.
Do it Best Foundation Distributes about $113,000 in Grants
During the past quarter, the Do it Best Foundation has distributed about $113,000 in grants to organizations focused on children and families in the communities with Do it Best locations. “In less than five years, we’ve been able to distribute over $1.4 million through 125 grant awards,” said Randy Rusk, Do it Best Foundation executive director. “These grants ensure that families’ most essential needs of housing stability, food security, health care access, and clothing assistance are met, while encouraging developmental and educational activities to strengthen the minds and bodies of children and prepare them for their brightest future.”
This quarter, grant recipients include the Mesquite Toes Dance Troupe in Mesquite, Nev. For more about this quarter’s grants, including other recipients, check out the Do it Best Foundation’s Instagram post or visit doitbestfoundation.org to learn more.
Builders FirstSource Expands with Douglas Lumber, High Mountain Acquisitions
Builders FirstSource has announced the acquisition of Douglas Lumber, Kitchens and Home Center, based in Smithfield, R.I., and High Mountain Door and Trim in Reno, Nev. Douglas Lumber has been serving contractors, remodelers, and homeowners across Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut for more than 40 years with quality building materials. High Mountain Door and Trim, a key player in the Reno area, specializes in the distribution and installation of doors, windows, and millwork for single-family and multi-family markets.
Crafty Beaver Home Center Celebrates 90th Anniversary
This month, Crafty Beaver is celebrating its 90th anniversary. Founded in the Chicagoland area in 1934, the company is a full-line lumber and building material distributor that serves both retail and contractor customers, offering a wide range of products including windows, doors, roofing, and electrical supplies. With locations in Skokie and on N. Central and W. Lawrence in Chicago, Crafty Beaver is part of Nation’s Best national network of hardware and lumber businesses.
Nation’s Best Acquires South Texas Hardware
Nation’s Best has announced the addition of South Texas Hardware to its growing family of independent hardware stores. With locations in Castroville, Lytle, and Somerset, South Texas Hardware has been serving its communities service for almost 40 years. Nation’s Best now operates 63 locations across 17 states with more than 1,200 associates.
Hancock Lumber to Acquire Tiny Homes of Maine
Hancock Lumber has announced plans to acquire Tiny Homes of Maine, an Aroostook County-based manufacturer of tiny homes on wheels. The acquisition is expected to close by the end of October. This move will expand Hancock Lumber’s manufacturing capabilities, which already include roof and floor trusses, wall panels, and eastern white pine sawmills. Tiny homes and accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are an emerging segment of the housing market, providing affordable and flexible housing options. The acquisition aligns with Hancock Lumber’s focus on addressing housing demand.
Ace, Home Depot Named in Best Companies List
As part of TIME magazine’s World’s Best Companies of 2024, two hardware companies have been named to the list. Ace Hardware was ranked 860th on the magazine’s list. Home Depot came in at 266th on the list. These ranking are based on a formula of employee-satisfaction surveys; revenue growth; and environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) data, according to TIME.
Hillman Celebrates 60 Years, Wins Innovation Honors
Hillman Solutions Corp., celebrating its 60th anniversary, has won two 2024 Pro Tool Innovation Awards for its Firm Grip Hybrid Carpenter Tool Rig and Gorilla Grip Performance Grip Work Gloves. This marks the second consecutive year Hillman has been recognized for its product innovation. The awards, judged by contractors, tradespeople, and industry professionals, honor standout products in the construction and outdoor power equipment industry. For more about the awards, visit the company’s press release.
