Handyman Hardware is consolidating five of its northeastern Ohio stores under one third-generation family owner and entering into a new co-op partnership that will increase its product selection and make its prices even more competitive. 

After years as part of another hardware supplier/cooperative under separate ownership, the Handyman Hardware locations in Hubbard, Champion, Cortland, Warren (Elm Rd. and Rt. 422) are becoming member-owners of Do it Best Corp. under the leadership of Phil Mazi. Do it Best Corp. is the most comprehensive hardware, lumber and building materials buying cooperative in the home improvement industry, serving thousands of independently owned locations throughout the United States and 52 other countries. 

“We felt Do it Best Corp. was the absolute best fit for Handyman,” explained Mazi. “They offer a comprehensive selection of programs and services that we can tailor to the unique needs and expectations of our customers in each of the communities we do business. And, most importantly, their reputation as the most efficient distributor in the industry allows us to increase our product selection and deliver great value to our customers.” 

Mazi, along with his wife Mary Catherine Mazi, took ownership of the Champion, Cortland and Elm Rd. stores November 1 and began transitioning them immediately. The couple took ownership of the Hubbard store on May 3. In addition to a stronger product selection and better prices, Do it Best Corp. will also work with Mazi on upgrading and enhancing the retail experience across all of the stores over the next year, beginning with the Hubbard location. Handyman has been family owned since its founding in 1975.