34 | Temuka’s Hammer Hardware also offers a local delivery service and will happily drop off building supplies for a local DIY’er as easily as a bag of potting mix to an elderly garden enthusiast. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Temuka Hammer Hardware Old-fashioned holds sway in Temuka After years running his own business as a successful bricklayer, Karl Johnson decided to leave the tools behind and together with his wife Pamela bought Temuka’s Hammer Hardware in 2013. They knew it needed some love and attention, and they soon had more stock on the shelves and introduced new lines. Hammer Hardware has 40 stores around the country and being part of the New Zealand- owned Mitre 10 group allows the Johnsons to match their pricing to what Mitre 10 offers. By 2019, when they bought the old fuel station up the road and turned it into a purpose-built store, they were ready for the expansion. “We basically started again with the renovation,” says Karl. “We quadrupled the size and turned it into a nice new modern building, with building supplies and a garden centre, which is a lovely area to wander around in. Since we moved here our growth has been tenfold with so many more people shopping with us.” He puts that down to their prices being the same, while the service is better. Having grown up in Temuka himself Karl values the community and the Johnsons take customer service seriously, taking pride in looking after people, as Karl explains. “I guess you’d call it old-fashioned shopping. Helping people put stuff in their cars, giving them the best advice we can, and honest advice. We’re not here just to make a buck and I’m quite happy to help people find a cheaper option or work out they don’t need it at all.” Temuka’s Hammer Hardware also offers a local delivery service and will happily drop off building supplies for a local DIY’er as easily as a bag of potting mix to an elderly garden enthusiast. They focus on having good stock T T Virginia Wright levels of an extensive range, doing what they can to make sure everyone can find what they need and find it ‘now’, and if they haven’t got it they will get it in store as quickly as they can. Hammer Hardware stores are well-known in general for their focus on community and local service, so the Johnsons were delighted to win the Hammer Hardware Store of the Year in 2023, having been one of only three (out of 40) nominated stores in the two previous years. They made the finals of this year’s South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce Awards, too, recognising their clear-cut desire to support their town. “We sponsor all sorts of things like the different sports clubs and awards, and the schools’ newsletters, and give vouchers as prizes for the local golf tournament. We try and support the local community where we can,” says Karl. When they went on to be named the Hammer Hardware Community Store of the Year at their annual conference, that was even more significant for the Johnsons. “That was awesome because we’re all people stores, we’re not the big box stores, so to win that award was pretty outstanding, it’s right up there with Store of The Year I think.” Karl knows his team (seven including himself and Pamela) is his greatest asset. They are all locals and the win is a credit to them all. They are not about to rest on their laurels either. Having bought the two adjoining sections, Temuka Hammer Hardware is planning to expand their garden centre, introduce landscape supplies, and maybe further ahead include hire equipment. All part of the service as they work hard to give their community more options. Maize & Fodder Beet Precision Planting Chopping - Grass, Maize & Wholecrop Ag Work - Ploughing, Ripping, Direct & Roller Drilling Cartage - Feed Sales - Woodchip - Mulching Baling - Squares & Rounds - Balage, Hay, Straw Ash Gould 027 200 8872 Brad Simpson 027 200 8871 Phone Regan on Mob: 027 241 6395 Email: joycebuilding@hotmail.com • Houses • Renovations • Maintenance & Repairs • Architectual • Design & Build • Cow Sheds • Farm Buildings • Concrete Work New Zealand Certified Builders Association CB FOR ALL YOUR REQUIREMENTS CONSTRUCTION
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