Strategies Spring 2026_No Crops

CUSTOMER PROFILE

as the store adjusted to new systems. “We wouldn’t buy very much from Blish, just about $1,000 a week,” he says. Once the full program was installed and the store was properly merchandised, Bowden noticed an immediate shift. Blish-Mize helped rework shelving, assisted in ordering strategies and choosing assortments. “Once they set it up, everything changed,” he says. “It went crazy here. We had more customers in the store than ever before.” Building a Strong Partnership Blish-Mize didn’t just bring a broader inventory or better pricing. The turning point came from hands-on involvement from Tom Carlton, who has since passed away, and his current Blish-Mize representative, Dillon Dannelley, as key contributors to his store’s success. “My representatives have always been great,” he says. “They’ve spent the time to help me make my store succeed.” Regular visits, steady communication and practical insight shaped how the store approached ordering, merchandising and expansion. Instead of guessing what categories to grow or which lines to deepen, Bowden had partners who understood hardware retail and saw opportunities in the store’s layout. Janet Elias, retired regional manager, was instrumental in guiding the redesign. “Janet was amazing,” Bowden says. “She knows her stuff.” Bowden originally asked Elias for ideas on how to refresh the department. Instead of minor changes, she recommended a full redesign covering 10,000 square feet. It was a larger project than Bowden expected, but he trusted the direction. “She came at me with this 10,000-square-foot deal,” he says. “It was the best thing I’ve done in a while.” The partnership with Blish-Mize grew through consistent engagement: not templates or generic approaches, but suggestions tailored to the needs of Western Market and its customers.

As Western Market evolved, it invested in space and systems that support deeper hardlines inventory and long-term growth.

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