Sept. 13, 2023

Travis Hellvig, operations manager of Hartford Building Center in Hartford, has been named one of the independent home improvement industry’s Young Retailer of the Year honorees by the North American Hardware and Paint Association.

The Young Retailer of the Year program, now in its 27th year, identifies and promotes the next generation of aspiring independent home improvement, paint and decorating retailers.

It recognizes individual achievement by industry retailers age 35 and younger throughout the U.S. and Canada. Honorees are chosen based on a number of criteria, including professional milestones, community engagement, continuing hardware industry education and extracurricular activities.

This is Hellvig’s second time earning the Young Retailer of the Year honor — he also was named an honoree in 2016.

“Travis is no stranger to personal and professional challenges, and he has used those difficult times to improve the business and himself,” the association said in recognizing his achievement. “When health issues left his parents unable to manage the store in 2013, Travis took on a leadership role, keeping the business running smoothly while simultaneously graduating from college with honors.”

“When I took over the day-to-day management of the business, I learned very quickly that I have a desire to maximize efficiency within all facets of the business,” Hellvig said. “I’m always looking for ways to realize higher sales potential, reduce stress on employees and equipment, and implement processes that ensure the highest level of satisfaction from each of our customers.”

Hellvig designed and and served as general contractor on a 6,400-square-foot expansion of the business, including 2,400 square feet of additional retail floor space and a showroom, contractor sales offices and conference room space. That included navigating pandemic restrictions that impacted the project.

“When it was all said and done, despite the unprecedented challenges we faced as a business throughout the process, the entire project finished just a few weeks behind the initial schedule,” Hellvig said. “We ended 2020 with the highest sales year in our history.”

2021 was a different story for the operation, with sales falling almost 12 percent, “but Travis was not deterred,” the association said.

“Instead, he committed to making 2022 more successful and profitable. He reduced turnaround times for plans and quotes, and worked with the sales team to reach more customers.”

The business also was damaged by a derecho in 2022.

“We knew people were going to immediately need supplies, so we put together a process for customers to safely obtain what they needed from us, even though we had no power and could not allow customers into our facility,” Hellvig said. “Within 24 hours after being hit by the storm, our warehouse was mostly cleaned up and fixed, except for the new light fixtures we had to order, and was completely secure and functional for customers to get what they needed.”

In spite of the difficulties, 2022 ended as a record year for profitability at Hartford Building Center.

Outside the store, Hellvig has been a member of the Hartford Area Fire & Rescue Department since 2011, serving as a volunteer firefighter. He also was the assistant fire chief from 2014 to 2016. He is a member of the Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce and the Hartford Area Optimist Club and a volunteer for Junior Achievement in the West Central School District.

Along with his family, he helped launch Hartford Hometown Christmas in 2011, which now attracts thousands of people on the first Sunday of December to come together and give back to the community. The event includes a community breakfast by the chamber, a local vendor craft show, a gingerbread house contest, a kids carnival, horse-drawn wagon rides, a bonfire, a tree lighting, a Christmas light parade, a community dinner and fireworks.

“Being able to be involved and give back to the community is so rewarding,” Hellvig said. “I wouldn’t be even close to where I am today without both our amazing team at HBC as well as the support from our community, so it’s always fulfilling to me anytime I can give back and serve the community.”

Being chosen as a Young Retailer of the Year “is a high honor,” said Scott Wright, executive director of advanced retail education programs for NHPA.

“Travis exemplifies the dedication and innovation that keep our industry growing.”