Indie Award contest races to finish line

A handful of hardware stores are in the running for the coveted Independent We Stand “Independent Small Business of the Year Award,” also known as “The Indie.”

The industry candidates – all of which so far survived the nominating, voting and vetting process of the contest – could possibly win a $50,000 grand prize package, if they beat out the 25 contenders.

The hardware stores with a chance to win the Indie Award are:

• Carr Hardware of Pittsfield, Mass.

• Cornell’s True Value Hardware of Eastchester, N.Y.;

• Hardware Hank of East Grand Forks, Minn.;

• Petersburg Hardware; and

• T& M Hardware & Rental of Bellevue, Pa.

The above dealers are up against some stiff, independent competition from the likes of the Mountain Valley Brewery of Axton, Va.; Chic Geek Apparel of La Mesa, Calif.; and Afterwards Books of Edwardsville, Ill.

The winner will be announced Dec. 13.

The contest is now in its seventh year. Independent We Stand writes: “Our mission at Independent We Stand is to inspire small business owners to discover their local roots and help consumers understand the importance of supporting them.”