Voters in 38 states will consider 174 statewide ballot measures on Nov. 6, 2012, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). These proposals are wide-ranging, with a number of them having potential workplace implications.

Questions appear on the ballots in more than one state concerning:

• Medical marijuana use; • Legalization of marijuana; and • Same-sex marriage.

A new Internet retailer has entered the marketplace, promising name brand tools at discount prices, customer reviews and social media networking. The site, dwttools.com, is owned and operated by DWT Global, based in Delaware.

Current product categories found on dwttools.com include abrasives, pneumatic, power, hand and automotive tools. Brand names include Channellock, DeWalt, Irwin and Milwaukee. 

A hostile takeover battle between the nation’s two largest suppliers of construction aggregates -- one of the chief ingredients of concrete -- was put on a four-month hiatus by a Delaware court on May 14. Although the stay is only temporary, pending the outcome of an appeal, Martin Marietta must put a halt to its efforts to combine the two companies, which include a stock-exchange offer and an effort to elect its own directors to Vulcan’s board.

Last year, the original 50 Home Channel News Hardware Store All-Star honorees established a high bar and a hard act to follow. But the 2012 crop rises to the challenge. This year’s Hardware Store All-Stars, one from each of the 50 U.S. states, have at least one thing in common: Ask them what makes them special and you can bet they’ll include “excellent customer service” in the answer. From there, every path to stardom is unique.

An article on Philly.com reveals that Philadelphia will have plenty of environmentally friendly projects to show off for GreenBuild when it comes to town in 2013. 

GreenBuild is the annual conference of the U.S. Green Building Council, and it will enter its 12th year in 2013. The event will take place Nov. 20 to 22. 

A man was arrested in Newark, Del., after police say he unsuccessfully tried to steal tools and copper wire from a display at a Home Depot store.

The May issue of Home Channel News compiled the first-ever Hardware Store All Star list. Here are three more of the 50: standout stores from Arkansas, California and Colorado.

From New York’s Island to the Redwood Forests, the great American hardware store maintains a revered place in the commercial history of these United States. 


On the following pages, Home Channel News editors travel state-by-state to find examples of leading hardware store retailers. To those deserving candidates not on the list — and there are many — we offer this advice as consolation: “Keep up the good work. We’ll get to you eventually.” 


East Coast Tile Group signed an exclusive master distribution arrangement with StonePeak Ceramics in the eastern United States. 

Under terms of the deal, East Coast Tile divisions Best Tile and Tile America will use their infrastructure to supply commercial-grade porcelain tiles to customers and prospects in the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, District of Columbia, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina.

Young Lumber, a dealer based in New Castle, Del., has closed, according to an article in The News Journal.

Founded in 1935, the family-owned business served builders in the Delaware, Philadelphia and New Jersey markets. In 2008, the company did $50.4 million in sales out of two locations, according to the Home Channel New Top 350 Pro Dealers Scorecard. 

Young Lumber, a dealer based in New Castle, Del., has closed, according to an article in The News Journal.

Founded in 1935, the family-owned business served builders in the Delaware, Philadelphia and New Jersey markets. In 2008, the company did $50.4 million in sales out of two locations, according to the Home Channel New Top 350 Pro Dealers Scorecard.