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Total Home Hardware’s Humble Beginnings
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, Gary Carter began exploring the idea of forming a new company to pick up where Pleasants Hardware left off. His creation of Total Home Hardware was designed to continue to serve the areas Builder's for all of their After-Paint Hardware needs.
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."
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.
“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.”
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8416 Sanford Drive
Richmond, VA 23228