Three Louisville Legends Honored with Estwing Golden Hammer Awards
Do it Best and Estwing Manufacturing Co. honored three hardware industry veterans—Ed Lewis, Ray Moneypenny, and Norb Walthers—with the prestigious Estwing Golden Hammer Award, recognizing over 50 years of service in the home improvement sector.
The ceremony took place at Brownsboro Hardware & Paint in Prospect, Ky., where the recipients, collectively representing more than 170 years in the industry, were celebrated by their peers and local officials.
The honorees included:
- Ed Lewis, founder of ELSCO (established 1974), was recognized for his decades-long leadership in vendor representation. Do it Best CEO Dan Starr presented his award.
- Ray Moneypenny, former owner of a neighborhood hardware store—with grassroots roots stretching back to his grandfather’s founding—was honored by Doug Carroll, owner of Brownsboro Hardware & Paint.
- Norb Walthers, with an exceptional 70+ year career beginning at Belknap Hardware and continuing with Stratton & Terstegge and Do it Best, received the award from former Brownsboro Hardware & Paint owner Jim Lehrer.
A proclamation from Louisville’s mayor declared August 4, 2025 as “Ray Moneypenny Day,” underscoring his longstanding impact on the region’s hardware community.
The Estwing Golden Hammer Award honors individuals who have dedicated over half a century to the independent home improvement industry, embodying excellence, leadership, and enduring commitment.
