North Meridian Hardware is not your typical hardware store. Shoppers should not expect employees in brightly colored vests, a store so large you can get lost in it, nor should they expect to be dazzled by weekly sales vying for customers’ dollars or tongue-in-cheek ads encouraging weekend warriors to enjoy their days off.
What people can expect from the new North Meridian Hardware is a Black-owned, independent hardware store that is committed to community and one that provides quality products to customers at low prices every day.
With more than 6,000 in-store products for homeowners North Meridian also carries heavy-duty products for large projects and companies. Store items are also catalogued by a detailed, high-tech inventory system.
North Meridian Hardware will soon have “how to” seminars, QR Codes offering special information from the National Retail Hardware Association and carry appliances from Maytag and Whirlpool.
“We have a strong paint, light, plumbing and electrical supply section,” said Keith Payne, owner of North Meridian Hardware.
“We can order almost anything if it’s not in the store. That’s what makes this store unique – we cater to the customer’s needs,” added Gary Dickerson, store director.
The store is also equipped with knowledgeable experts clothed in khakis and custom North Meridian Hardware polo-style shirts standing near the store entryway ready to serve customers.
“To be working with people I’ve been working with for so long is pretty nice. We work well together,” said sales associate, Tashida Godette.
While the store carries many items you could find in other big-box hardware stores, what makes North Meridian Hardware special is its attention to customer service and its 14th and North Meridian Street location, the ideal place for Center Township residents and businesses.
“I was very technically strategic with this store. We did market research and looked at trends, the neighborhood and what the city’s goals were for this area,” said Payne. “We’re in the way of where the train’s going for future urban renewal projects here in the 16th Street and Meridian corridor.”
Furthermore, the creation of the store resembles a “do-it-yourself” project. Payne leased the space, which is the former WFYI-TV administration building, and completely gutted it.
Once the layout was in place, he used recycled and refurbished materials, such as granite from his old desk to create the front counter, to complete the store. From the doorknobs to the colors to the special signage, it took Payne four years to work on the concept of North Meridian Hardware and see his dream come to fruition.
The end result is a 10,000 square foot aesthetically attractive store with a fresh, urban feel. North Meridian Hardware is also appealing to both sexes – customers can watch HGTV or ESPN on flat screen TVs while they shop.
“The appeal is the eclectic look and feel of the store. The colors, the finishes, things that women can see and say ‘I would like that in my home,’” said Kimberly Highsaw, assistant store director.
New elevators take you to the second floor of the building, which will be converted into office spaces.
Payne is confident North Meridian Hardware will be successful because of his background in custom home building and his entrepreneurial skills. The North Central High School graduate is also the owner of Affordable Building Supplies LLC on the city’s Near Eastside, which carries bulk items for construction companies.
“Even when I was little I was interested in building things. I’d build forts and tree houses. It’s kind of in my blood,” said Payne.
Both of Payne’s companies are certified with the city and state as minority business enterprises.
North Meridian Hardware store has only been open for a few weeks, but Payne hopes to soon plant his feet further in the community by helping in the local neighborhood’s urban renewal and sharing his long-time passion for construction and entrepreneurial experience with youth.
“It’s very inspiring to see that even though we’re in a down economy, people can reach their goals. As a business major, seeing this store open is inspiring for me and reassures me that I can achieve my goals,” said Goodette who not only works as a sales associate, but is a recent Ivy Tech graduate.
North Meridian Hardware is a one of a kind store that has its future set on supplying quality products to the community it’s rooted in and connected to.
“I’m extremely thankful and proud of this store. I hope people come into the store and enjoy it,” said Payne.
For more information, call (317) 636-0529 or visit www.northmeridianhardware.com.
