Rob Gardiner

#4695 | Member since 1999
Damariscotta, Maine | 2 locations

Taking great pride in his hometown of Damariscotta, Maine, Rob Gardiner never wants anyone to feel the need to make the long drive to the next town to get all their home improvement supplies. That’s why he strives to ensure that every product category and core department is as complete as possible in Damariscotta Hardware and Randolph Hardware, the two stores he co-owns with his sister Susan Geyer. As a second-generation business owner, Rob says he learned the ropes and gained much of his business savvy from his dad. “I went to business school, but I learned even more from observing him and asking questions,” he says. “He’d invite regional hardware store owners to our house and they’d talk about the day-to-day of running a store. It was pretty cool to be a part of that. I really enjoyed being around him, and the store was where the action was. Even while still in high school, I knew my path was to run my own business.” 

As his Damariscotta store thrived, Rob built upon his growth strategy and opened a second, ground-up store in Randolph in 2014. Today, his stores are destinations for Milwaukee, OPE, and lawn and garden. “We’re the go-to source for plants, fertilizer, and garden tools,” Rob says. He loves the freedom of being a small business owner. “It’s great to have the ability to make your own decisions and quickly pivot to best serve the community.” He also loves supporting local causes and lending a hand wherever necessary to meet people’s immediate needs. Rob prides himself on adapting to new situations and proves that tenacity and strategic planning pay off for independent dealers. He’s also honored to serve as board chair with American Hardware & Lumber Insurance.

Rob says serving on our board comes with a great deal of responsibility. “It’s not a club. We take a high-level view of the co-op and help steer it in the right direction for the benefit of all our members.” Additionally, Rob serves as board chair for the AHLI, a market-leading insurance supplier to independent hardware and building supply retailers across the country, and co-owned by Do it Best. 

“Through all my interactions with people at Do it Best, you’d be hard-pressed to tell the difference between talking to a board member, a store owner, or an employee,” says Rob. “They’re all very servant-minded people with an energy to answer any question or find a resolution to any issue.” 

At a glance

Area: Maine
Store type: Hardware
Market: Rural
Core categories: Lawn & garden, paint, power tools
Best advice: Worry about the door your customer walks through.
Favorite activity outside of work: Completing his own home projects and spending time with family

HBSDealer Hardware All Star – Randolph Hardware (2017 & 2024)
HBSDealer Hardware All Star – Damariscotta Hardware (2022)