It’s all about relationships at Killians. In this unique hardware store, the value of building relationships is experienced in each transaction. Enter Killians and you will find years of special friendships established around providing exceptional customer care and the very best in hardware, power lawn and garden equipment, parts and service. This ongoing commitment of standing behind their products and services goes back three generations. In fact, the mission statement that Killians is built upon is, “…commitment to working together for our community to provide the best products and service support…for generations to come!” The Killians' story is remarkable. When you meet the people carrying on this business today, you will understand their dedication to keeping their family’s legacy alive.

Susan Killian Kirby and Sharon Killian Radke, sisters in heart, soul and business, run Killians in the same enthusiastic way their father and grandfather before them did—by listening to each customer who walks through their door and providing solutions to their needs. “I do just about anything around here, from greeting customers and running the front of the store, to doing bookkeeping and more,” Susan shared. “We stay very busy, in springtime especially, but we love it. This is our passion.”

Business on a first name basis is common at Killians. Many families have been purchasing their tools, supplies and hardware at Killians for generations. The expansive store includes a spacious showroom, antique car museum, repair and maintenance buildings topped by a signature Cessna airplane mounted on the roof. It’s a Springs Road landmark on the north side of Hickory. The business was founded as a feed mill owned by the sisters’ grandfather, Emory Killian. Their father, Elmer, expanded it into Killians Hardware in 1953. Killians has grown to meet the community’s needs over the years and now offers residential and commercial lawn equipment from manufacturers like Toro—a global leader in the industry for 97 years—Husqvarna, Peco, Troy-Bilt and Stihl, gardening equipment and supplies, seed, feed, mulch and fertilizers, a full line of hardware, plumbing, electrical supplies and an amazing selection of household necessities. Specialty items like Case knives, White Mountain ice cream freezers and North Carolina-made Wilmington grills are on display.

HISTORY IN A HARDWARE STORE
To say the store has changed over the years is an understatement, and yet the past makes its presence known in many ways. “When we were kids, and the showroom was downstairs, we’d play on the mowers,” Susan said with a smile. “We carried lots of toys then, and continue to carry specialty toys by Radio Flyer for children.”
In February, many old friends stopped in during Customer Appreciation Day to share stories from the past, attend seminars, and peruse the newest lawn and garden equipment. Terry Fox, curator of Killians’ museum, reminisced about sitting on Santa’s knee and getting his first bicycle and bb gun from Killians. Hickory Sand Company owner, Wayne Propst, has been coming to Killians for 63 years. “I remember coming by the old feed store with my grandfather,” he recalls. “I bought a lawn mower from Sharon’s dad in 1972, and it’s still running. Elmer charged me $450, and I told him he was robbing me! Elmer let me pay so much each month.” I heard similar stories from many customers. Likewise, Toro representatives spoke highly of their business relationship with Elmer and now with Sharon and Susan. Past competitors told of Elmer taking them under his wing to show them the ropes.

Elmer was an avid collector whose extensive treasures portray a history of family involvement and business success. In 1990, Elmer began working with Terry Fox to restore his antique cars to their original beauty and eventually create the museum. The museum, open on Customer Appreciation Days, displays cherished relics of the past. From Model T’s to cars representing each year Elmer’s daughters were born, customers can show their children and grandchildren what they drove in the old days. Shoppers don’t see Elmer Killian’s office, preserved just as he left it when he passed away unexpectedly in 1997. However, they will recognize the massive brick fireplace that stands just beyond the store’s entrance. That fireplace is a reminder of Emory and Elmer’s early years as brick masons. From the Killian family’s values and their customers’ fond memories, to Elmer’s memorabilia and legacy, the past remains in the future of Killians Hardware.

ALL YOUR LAWN AND GARDEN EQUIPMENT
Sharon Killian Radke invited me into the showroom. Rows of shiny zero-turn mowers, lawn tractors, tillers, aerators, generators and pressure washers fill the space. From the wall displays you can choose chainsaws, clippers, edgers, pruners, sprayers and blowers. “The biggest part of our business is power equipment, parts and service,” Sharon explained. “We stand behind everything we sell and provide service, parts and repairs on site. Richard Powell has been with us in the parts department for 38 years. He’s now working part time, but his influence with our team remains full time. Reliable customer service is key when you sell this kind of equipment.”

EXPERTISE IN SERVICE AND LAWN CARE
Killians was the 2009 Master Service Dealer of the Year award winner at the Toro Company. Chip Dellinger, Toro regional manager, has worked with the Killians for ten years. “When it came time for Sharon and Susan to take the helm, they didn’t miss a step,” Chip shared. “From working with their dad, they had become a part of Killians Hardware at a level I don’t think even they realized.”

Hardware manager Bruce Hartsell is the man to see if you have questions or concerns about hardware or your lawn. He’s known as “the lawn guy.” “I get questions about lawns and grass, and my best advice to everyone is to develop proper soil conditions, use quality seed and plant at the right time,” Bruce says. “It’s rewarding for someone to invite me to see their lawn after I’ve helped them solve their lawn problem.” Bruce has been helping folks at Killians for 20 years.

Service Manager David Schere keeps his department on task. With three full-time mechanics, repairs, tune-ups and parts are always available. For the many landscapers and lawn care businesses that depend on Killians, repairs can be provided for old or new equipment within 24 business hours. With the largest parts inventory in the Southeast, finding what you need is easier at Killians.

THE TRADITION CONTINUES
That old-time customer care is served at Killians to this day. “It is refreshing to see a business like Killians,” said Jack Hensley, Toro’s director of customer care. “Susan and Sharon have a heart for serving their community and building relationships with their customers. It’s not something they feel like they have to do, but a result of them wanting to.” Susan and Sharon give back to the community in many ways. Killians partners with nonprofit organizations like Sipes Orchard Home and local churches, helping them maintain their properties. “We treat everyone the same way,” Sharon told me. “We are who we are, and we do what we say we’ll do. In this way we honor our father and grandfather and the honest way they did business. An old fashioned, full service approach is what we’re all about.”

Killians brings a unique nostalgia to the shopping experience. At the same time, up-to-date equipment, products and advice will be found there. If you haven’t yet been, put Killians on your list of places to shop. Killians goes way beyond what the big box stores offer, in service, competitive pricing and personal attention. The smiles, knowledge and integrity you experience first hand will convert you into a loyal Killians' customer.

Killians, Inc.
3790 Springs Road, NE • Hickory
828-256-2147
www.killiansinc.com
Shop our eBay store at Killians Online