CAMPBELL -- Tony Tsikouris didn't start out wanting to get into the hardware business, but his

CAMPBELL -- Tony Tsikouris didn't start out wanting to get into the hardware business, but his mechanical ability and certain circumstances led him to Campbell Hardware, first as an employee, and now as the owner.
Growing up, Tsikouris' had two connections to the hardware industry -- a friend's parents worked at the former Struthers Hardware and his own parents, along with an aunt and uncle, owned the Gaetano Plaza where Campbell Hardware is located.
Tsikouris started learning about the business while he was still in school, repairing windows and screens and selling paint, plumbing supplies and other items at the Campbell store.
Soon after finishing high school, Tsikouris took a job on the assembly line at American Sunroof Corp. in North Jackson. Three years later, when that company moved to Michigan, he found a full-time position at the former Commercial Intertech Corp. in Youngstown, continuing to work part time at the hardware store.
"I would go to work at 5 in the morning and get off at 1 p.m. and start at the store and work until 6:30 p.m.," he recalled.
He continued to work in sales and repairs for a while, eventually taking over as owner of Campbell Hardware.
"I started from scratch," he said. "I put a lot of money back into the hardware -- like I was building a big snowball. I worked my way up to owner and kept putting money back in."
Merchandise and services
Tsikouris and his five employees sell home improvement items, the store owner said, and repairing windows and screens is also an everyday part of the business. Customers can have a sink faucet rebuilt, get a new hot water tank installed, order a custom-mixed paint color or buy hunting and fishing licenses.
Tsikouris said his location on busy McCartney Road makes the store accessible to people in New Castle, Pa., and surrounding areas, and that helps his business compete with larger chain stores.
Besides, the entrepreneur said, he saves customers money and keeps them coming back by providing one-on-one service and attention. He and his staff readily give advice and demonstrate home repair techniques.
Tsikouris said he's making plans to expand the hardware store when the business next door to him moves out. He plans to keep the hardware in Campbell to serve the needs of the community.