Hatchet Hardware to open in Waterford
WATERFORD, N.Y. » Furthering their retail presence in the New York Capital Region, Angelo, Giovanni, and Erika Grasso have announced that they will reopen the doors of 42 Saratoga Ave. as Hatchet Hardware Waterford as of Aug. 1.
The family operated business has arrived at Waterford intending to build a strong bond with the community while holding the vision of what they appreciate about Waterford through their new store.
The Grasso’s have been focused on local ownership ever since arriving in the Capital Region in 2014 with Ace Hardware in Brunswick and then expanding in 2016 with the purchase of Pfeil Hardware in Troy and a current plan to expand into Wynantskill.
Each member of the Grasso family trio focuses on different sectors of their business model to make things work. Giovanni and Erika Grasso take on the day to day presentation and operation of their retail stores while Angelo, Giovanni’s brother, focuses on the planning and financial aspects of the business.
The idea of the Grasso family pursuing their interest in expanding began when Jeff Pfeil, the previous owner of Pfeil Hardware, put Angelo Grasso in touch with Jon Philips to discuss options for both businesses. As it turned out, Jon Philips had an interest in consolidating his hardware stores in the southern part of the Capital Region. To the Grasso’s, it was a natural fit for them to take over the Waterford location with the site in such proximity to their other two stores.
“Phillips Hardware is pleased to be working with the Grasso family and support Hatchet Hardware’s mission of expansion in the Northern region of Albany. The consolidation of stores will allow us to refocus on what differentiates and makes the Phillips Hardware shopping experience so unique, said Jon Phillips, President of Phillips Hardware.
Furthermore, there will be an increased effort to reconnect within the communities that we will continue to operate in to provide friendly service that always goes the extra step.
“It was a pleasure working with Jon Phillips the last couple of months as he transitioned out of the Waterford location. I learned a lot from him,” said Angelo Grasso. “Bringing Hatchet Hardware to Waterford is a great accomplishment for our family. Building stores and having them reflect the community is something I feel we have accomplished with our locations in Brunswick and Troy, so I am eager to see what Giovanni and Erika pull off this time around.”
Since all Ace Hardware stores are retailer-owned cooperatives, the business model allows owners the creative flexibility to offer a wide range of innovative products. For the Grasso’s, specifically, it has allowed the family to break the mold of what is considered an average hardware store by operating locations, which are distinguishable from each other.
“I’m excited about the ideas and products that we will bring to our Waterford store in the next few months,” said Giovanni Grasso. “Our model of a hardware store is diverse enough to have fun and extensive gift section, while still carrying trusted, dependable products and brands such as Benjamin Moore, Stihl, and Carhartt. Customers can expect a high- quality shopping experience each time they enter our stores.”
Hatchet Hardware intends to keep the store open during the upcoming months as they remodel the store and begin introducing new products for their grand opening in the first quarter of 2020.