Nation’s Best was founded just over five years ago with a mission to build a nationwide network of best-in-class independent home improvement stores. Today, it expands on that mission with the addition of Malone Home Center in Greenville, KY to its growing family of businesses, bringing their store count to 52 locations across 16 states.
“We’re committed to organic growth, as well as growth via acquisitions, and Malone Home Center is an ideal fit within the Nation’s Best partnership model,” says Robert Debs, who oversees acquisitions for Nation’s Best. “Owners Paul and Twyla Gabbard have done everything we look for to make their store an appealing acquisition. From demonstrating their entrepreneurial spirit and strengthening their overall staff knowledge, including their sales and customer service teams, to fine tuning their product mix, to continually enhancing an outstanding home center, they have simply delivered the very best shopping experience with a strong reputation in their community.”
Tracing its roots back to 1938, Malone Home Center began by selling lumber and building materials. In 1985, Malone Home Center relocated to a 30,000 square foot building and expanded into hardware, plumbing and electrical, paint, and rental, and added their 2,500 square foot home décor showroom nearly a decade ago, which was recently profiled in various industry news articles.
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Third generation owners Paul and Twyla Gabbard will stay with the business following the sale. “It’s truly been our honor to be Greenville’s source for quality home improvement products and services for generations,” say the Gabbards. “And now with Nation’s Best, we are reassured knowing that our store’s legacy and staff will continue to grow and flourish in the years ahead.”
Debs notes that the Southeastern and South-Central regions of the country are attractive markets for Nation’s Best and there’s strong interest in expanding their footprint there. “We’re not slowing down in our acquisition strategy,” says Debs. “Our team is always on the lookout for quality stores as we add to our network of outstanding businesses.”
As part of Nation’s Best’s strategy, Malone Home Center will maintain operations under their existing name with its key management team overseeing company operations alongside Nation’s Best, which will provide the strategic and financial support necessary to drive optimal growth and profitability.