Hartville Hardware Expands in Middlefield With New 175,000-Square-Foot Facility
Middlefield, Ohio – Hartville Hardware has been part of the Middlefield business community since 2020, opening during one of the most uncertain times in recent history. “We signed the deal the same week they closed the schools,” said Scott Sommers, president of Hartville Hardware. “We thought this could be the nail in the coffin that shuts down all our companies.”
Owned by HRM Enterprises, based in Hartville, Ohio, the store launched during the COVID-19 shutdowns and faced early challenges. But since then, Hartville Hardware in Middlefield has thrived. Today, it operates from a 12,000-square-foot retail location with an additional 35,000 square feet of warehouse space—and it’s just getting started.
Just west of the Village of Middlefield, construction is underway on a new 175,000-square-foot hardware and lumber facility on a 25-acre site, with an expected opening in early fall 2025. This state-of-the-art location will feature a full-service hardware home center, a professional-grade lumber yard, and a 40,000-square-foot indoor drive-through for easy lumber pickup. “Customers will drive indoors, place their orders, pick up their lumber, and pay as they leave,” Sommers explained.
The new store will offer an expanded selection of power tools from leading brands like Milwaukee, DeWalt, and Festool, along with a wide range of building materials, appliances, flooring, doors, windows, and more. “We’re especially excited about the Carhartt department,” Sommers said. “It will feature a large women’s clothing section—one of the biggest in the U.S.”
Growth, Jobs, and Community Focus
Hartville Hardware currently employs 40 team members in Middlefield. Once the new facility opens, that number is expected to grow to approximately 100 jobs. The company is part of HRM Enterprises Inc., which also operates:
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Hartville Hardware, the largest independent hardware store in the U.S.
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Hartville Kitchen, a beloved family restaurant
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Hartville MarketPlace & Flea Market, a regional shopping destination
HRM Enterprises employs more than 900 people and is known for its strong values: Sundays off, no late evening hours, comprehensive employee benefits, and perks like company picnics, Christmas banquets, and employee discounts. “We prioritize a great work environment,” Sommers said. “It’s part of our culture.”
A Family Legacy Since 1939
Sommers is a fourth-generation leader of the business. “HRM stands for Howard R. Miller, my grandfather,” he shared. “It all started in 1939 when my great-grandfather launched a livestock auction in Hartville.” That evolved into a restaurant and then a hardware business. In 1972, a 5,000-square-foot hardware store came up for sale, and by 1974, the family expanded to a 20,000-square-foot space with community support.
Today, the original Hartville Hardware spans more than 300,000 square feet and is a go-to destination for contractors, homeowners, and DIYers. It also operates as a John Deere dealership, showcases Ohio’s largest Carhartt display, and features the Idea House—an 1,845-square-foot model home that inspires customers with real-life design and product applications.
Culture of Collaboration and Innovation
Marketing Director Kelli Hill noted that company culture is a major draw. “I came from a large corporation, but found a better fit in this team-oriented environment,” she said. “Marketing isn’t siloed—we collaborate with all departments. The leadership’s commitment to culture has been passed down through generations.”
“We want to be the best place to work and the best place to shop,” Sommers said. “We know that a positive team culture translates to a better customer experience, which creates long-term success.”
Despite community interest in longer store hours, the company values work-life balance. “We could stay open later, but our employees prefer family time in the evenings,” Sommers said.
Why Middlefield?
Hartville Hardware selected Middlefield because of its growing population, strong demand, and local roots. “We hoped to help businesses grow here,” Sommers explained. “My grandmother, Sarah Shrock, is from nearby Burton, so it feels like coming home.”
The 25-acre site was recently annexed by the Village of Middlefield to support the expansion. “When Hartville Hardware expressed interest in growing, we worked closely with Middlefield Township to make it happen,” said Mayor Ben Garlich. “We’re excited about what this means for the local economy.”
Will a Hartville Kitchen restaurant come to Middlefield next? “It’s not in the plans—yet,” Sommers said with a smile. “But we’re open to the idea.”
More Than a Hardware Store
Hartville Hardware plans to host community events such as pancake breakfasts, product demos, and more at its new location. “We’re excited to get the community involved,” Hill said.
With a strong foundation and exciting growth ahead, Hartville Hardware in Middlefield is positioned to become a regional destination for home improvement, professional tools, and community engagement.
Learn more at hartvillehardware.com.
