Fort Wayne, Ind.— Todd Kirschner, general manager of Trio Hardware in Plainview, N.Y., was recently named Young Retailer of the Year in the under $2 million sales volume category by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA).  This prestigious award recognizes young hardware/home improvement retailers who represent tomorrow’s future.

Kirschner began working at Trio Hardware, a Do it Best Corp. co-op store, as a stock boy in 1990. Over the years, as he began taking on responsibility for ordering, merchandising and training other employees, Kirschner became a trusted employee of the store’s owners Bruce and Francesca Carlow. He took over as store manager 10 years ago after leading the rebuilding process when the store suffered a devastating fire. Since then, he’s more than tripled annual sales to $1.5 million.    

Known throughout the area simply as “Todd from Trio,” Kirschner’s love of community, vast hardware knowledge and customer service skills have made him a trusted resource in his Long Island community. Under his leadership, Trio Hardware has been voted Long Island’s Best Hardware Store for the past two years by the readers of The Long Island Press. His personal commitment to the community is reflected in store donations for local fundraisers, the way he shares his knowledge with Boy Scout troops and local schoolchildren doing educational projects, and his store’s support of everything from local parades to Girl Scout cookie sales.

“The committee could not have made a better selection,” said Bob Taylor, Do it Best Corp. president and CEO. “All of us at Do it Best Corp. have been impressed by his commitment, dedication and determination in growing his business and servicing his community. He certainly understands the importance and the power of giving back.”

This year, the NRHA honored seven young hardware/home improvement retailers with this award. Nominees are judged on career achievements, community involvement, and hardware education and training. Honorees can be no more than 35 years old to qualify, and should serve as role models to other aspiring young retailers and demonstrate potential for a promising career in the industry based on their dedication, positive attitude and job performance.

Based in Fort Wayne, Ind., Do it Best Corp. is the only full-service, U.S.-based, member-owned hardware, lumber and building materials buying cooperative in the home improvement industry. With annual sales of $2.81 billion, Do it Best Corp. is the second largest co-op in the industry, serving 4,100 member-owned stores in the United States and in 47 countries.