Gregg and Cynthia Reed, second-generation owners of Reed’s Do it Best Hardware and Gift Shop, recently announced plans to retire and transition ownership of the store to Darren Tomasini on June 1.
Reed’s Hardware has been serving the greater Bluffton area since 1976, when Gregg Reed’s parents first opened the family business. Since then, the family has grown the home improvement store to include an extensive garden center, where they grow their own hanging baskets — a signature store product. They also added a gift shop featuring home décor gifts, such as essential oils, Willow Tree figurines, Yankee Candles, bereavement gifts, and toys.
“We really trust Darren,” said Reed. “We see in him the same kind of family values we’ve operated by for the last 47 years. He clearly prioritizes excellent customer service and product selection the way we do. Reed’s will continue to be a premier hardware store under his leadership, and we’re excited to see how he’ll build on the legacy we started.”
Darren Tomasini is the president and CEO of Dazey’s Supply, an employee-owned, six-store home improvement chain serving northern California and Oregon. He brings an extensive background in sales and building materials to Reed’s Hardware, where he will continue to grow the product assortment and service offering. Reed’s is the first store acquisition in his planned Midwest expansion.
Tomasini has committed to retaining the existing Reed’s Hardware team, including Sadey Alexander as store manager. Within the next year, he will launch a complete interior and exterior refresh of the store, along with updates to product selection and departments.
“Cynthia and I want to sincerely thank this community for supporting us and our family business over the years,” said Reed. “We’d love to see our community extend a warm welcome to Darren, especially during the month of May. He, Cynthia and I will be around the store, and we’d be honored to introduce and thank everyone in person.”
