Armidale Building Supplies has been crowned Best Hardware Store in Best in the New England 2025, with local love outshining chains again.
First established in Tamworth in 1990, Tamworth Building Supplies expanded to Armidale in 1995 to meet growing demand for reliable, locally owned building and hardware services. Since then, the Armidale branch, located at 296 Mann Street, has become a trusted fixture in the local trade and construction community.
2IC for the Armidale store, Steven Wilson said, “We really try to cater to everyone, from professional builders, to home handymen right the way through to grandma or grandpa who just want to pop in and grab a piece of timber.”
Whether it’s timber, cement, roofing, paint, hand and power tools, or more specialised items like plasterboard or bathroom fittings, customers know they’ll find what they need—and get the right advice—at TBS Armidale. The store’s knowledgeable team is known for going above and beyond, offering expert guidance and tailored service that sets them apart from big chain competitors.
In a world where larger conglomerate hardware stores are taking hold, Mr Wilson said the key to their continued success comes down to customer focus.
“It’s something we pride ourselves on – our services is personalised, nothing is too hard, we’re happy to order things in and we don’t really see people as customers, we see them as mates.”
And the customers that voted for them agreed.
“They are always cheerful when you enter the store and are very helpful,” said Robert in his vote.
“Great service and really pleased with their advice. And we’re happy to deliver for me!” said Karen.
“Outstanding customer service, local, reliable and only mildly sarcastic. The boys will help you with anything you need,” Dylan said.
The win is a recognition of the dedication shown by the Armidale staff, who pride themselves on building lasting relationships with their customers. From quick turnarounds on trade orders to helping homeowners plan weekend renovation projects, the team ensures every customer walks away with the right tools and confidence to get the job done.
While this award shines a spotlight on the Armidale location, the business continues to operate its Tamworth head office, servicing a wide swathe of the New England and North West region. Together, the two branches employ a large number of local residents and contribute significantly to the local economy.
“A big thank you to the local community for voting for us and for supporting us for the last 30 years,” said Mr Wilson.
Best in the New England is an annual promotion run by New England Times. Find out more here.
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