From left, John and Doug Howard
Howard Brothers Hardware, a longtime independent dealership that shows outstanding dedication to customers, employees and community members, is being recognized as Independent Business of the Year by Independent We Stand, a national small business movement that promotes the benefits of buying from locally owned businesses. “It is businesses like Howard Brothers Hardware that show clearly the benefit that local businesses have on our communities and economy,” said Bill Brunelle, project manager for Independent We Stand. “The superior customer service, economic impact and community involvement of this business, family owned and operated business since 1955, represents what the Independent We Stand movement is all about.”
Independent We Stand is a movement of independent business owners across the country to inform their communities about the importance of “Buying Local” and how these efforts bolster their local economy. This movement supports all local and national causes committed to boosting local economic development projects. The Independent We Stand movement is sponsored in part by Stihl Inc.
After the review of hundreds of nominated businesses, Howard Brothers Hardware was chosen as one of five finalists, including Tandem Wine & Cheese Bar of Bothell, Wash., Maple Ave Restaurant of Vienna, Va., Mummphy’s Book Nook of Elkhart, In., and Superior Woodcraft of Doylestown, Pa. Voting was then opened to the public, and the customers of Howard Brothers Hardware rallied to their support with 45,000 votes. “The secret weapon in our toolbox is that we know our customers. They know and trust us,” said Andy Darnell, marketing manager for Howard Brothers Hardware. “This commitment to our people has impacted many individuals and families who in turn impact the community more than we could ever do ourselves.”
Strong supporters of the buy local movement, and firmly believing in leading by example, the Howard brothers decided to share their winnings with their fellow finalists. Because their current website (www.howardbrothers.com) was already in place, they donated the website design prize from Launch Interactive to Mummphy’s Book Nook. They also announced that they would split the $1,000 Stihl product voucher between the other four finalists. The Howard brothers will be taking advantage of their other winnings—a search engine optimization package from SEO Bounty, a five-minute video to be featured on the Independent We Stand YouTube site and a two night/three day stay at an independently owned Virginia Beach, Va., resort.
The Howard Brothers story began in 1955, when Edwin Howard purchased a small grocery store in Doraville that had been started by his in-laws in 1925. In 1972 he branched next door and established Howard’s True Value Hardware. The second hardware store opened in Duluth, Ga. in 1987 and now also houses the company’s outdoor power equipment headquarters. The Just Ask Rental Store in Doraville opened in 1996, and the Oakwood Store in Hall County was purchased in April 1999. The dealership carries Stihl, Exmark, Honda, Echo, Little Wonder, Walker, Scag and Ventrac products.
Visit howardbrothers.com.