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Total Home Hardware has 50 years of combined experience in Residential finished hardware ranging from locks, mirrors, custom shower enclosures, bath accessories, shelving and locksmith support. We know Richmond and the surrounding areas. Give us a call today to let us help you with your next project.

Total Home Hardware’s Humble Beginnings

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Custom Home Builder Gary Carter was not looking to get into the hardware business, but when the opportunity presented Itself, he grabbed it. In February, he opened Total Home Hardware LLC, working with some former employees of Pleasants Hardware. “I have always used Pleasants Hardware for all of my installed hardware — shower doors, mirrors, lock sets,” said Carter, referring to items needed in his work building custom homes and home remodeling. “I was shocked when Pleasants was sold,” he said.

The Richmond-based hardware chain was sold to new owners, Virginia Beach-based Taylor’s Do It Centers, in February. While seven of the chain’s stores remain open under the new owners, the flagship store at 2024 W. Broad St. near the Fan District closed. Some of the specialized services offered at that location were not continued by the new owners. In January, he invited Becky Crawford, who ran the installed builder sales division at Pleasants Hardware and who was losing her job of nearly 10 years, to meet him for dinner to talk about the idea.

Carter, of Goochland County saw an opportunity to re-create the hardware store’s division that offered installation of select specialty items such as door locks and custom showers for builders and contractors. “We decided this was a business opportunity for both of us,” Carter said. “I started a new company and hired her on as general manager. We opened up a warehouse and office space in February.”

Total Home Hardware is located in 2,500 square feet of office and warehouse space at 8421 Glazebrook Ave., off Staples Mill Road, in Henrico County. “We install wire shelving, door hardware, bath accessories, shower doors and mirrors,” Crawford said. “I kept all my installers (from) Pleasants. The locksmith works for me part time. I even got one of the ladies who worked in accounting. She works for me part time,” Crawford said. “I am just so excited. I just want everybody to know that I am still here.”

Carter said by offering a select group of services, the business is carving out a niche. “Locks and door stops, shelving, mirrors, showers doors and bath accessories — they all help the builder finish the project and turn the keys over to the buyer,” he explained.

Tim Promin worked at Pleasants Hardware for about 13 years and is now self-employed, working as one of Total Home Hardware’s installers. At Pleasants, he honed his skills, he said. He also installs custom showers, which also requires precision work, he said. “We need at least two more installers now,” he said of the new venture with Carter and Crawford.

“Being at Pleasants was cool because it was always challenging,” Promin said. “The customers that came in always had unique situations. I’ve worked all over the Fan, Church Hill, on renovation houses, making old doors work again, making old locks work again, pulling out old hardware that hasn’t been made in 50 years and making it work again.”