1 minute read
family first
from July SouthPark 2023
by SouthParkMag
SouthPark salutes businesses with Carolina roots and foundations built on family. Get to know the faces and families behind the names and discover their passion and purpose for serving their customers and the Charlotte community.
Blackhawk Hardware & Garden Center
Providence Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
Queen City Audio Video & Appliances
Sixth and Steel
Veronét Vineyards & Winery
Blackhawk Hardware & Garden Center
Jim & Barbara Wilkerson, Owners Andy Wilkerson, COO & Owner Nacho & Scout, Tailwaggers
Often referred to as “the world’s coolest hardware store,” Blackhawk Hardware is a local, family-owned business that’s been a shopping destination at Park Road Shopping Center for more than 45 years.
The 45,000-square-foot store has a popcorn machine — serving over a million free bags to customers — and someone who greets you as you step in the store. There are dogs roaming around, fresh from the dog-washing station or shopping for treats, more than 7,000 knobs and pulls to choose from when considering cabinet hardware, and a mountain of greeting cards that will make you laugh out loud.
“It’s all about creating a fun and excellent shopping experience,” says Andy Wilkerson, who owns the store with his parents Jim and Barb. He credits the store’s 120 associates for its success in a market filled with big-box competitors. “We hire happy professionals who provide legendary customer service, take ownership and pride in what we do, and bring new ideas,” he says.
Many of those employees have been with Blackhawk for years, some marking the third generation to work at the store. At least eight couples have met and married while working there. When it comes to hiring, the Wilkersons value personality over experience. “We can teach you how to sell anything,” Andy says. “But we can’t teach you how to be a nice person.”
It’s a formula that’s worked well. Blackhawk served 46 customers its first day in 1977, making $141.95. Today, it’s sold more than $130 million worth of hardware and housewares to over 6 million customers.
