Our Mission Statement
~ Extraordinary Customer Satisfaction through Product Selection, Outstanding Service and a Friendly Face. ~
The History of Johnsons Home & Garden
Johnsons Home & Garden has been a family owned and operated small business for over 50 years in the heart of Maple Valley, Washington. Throughout the years, the Johnsons family business consisted of KJ Rental, Johnsons Woodworking, and Quintessence with various departments specializing in Lawn & Garden, Paint, Plumbing, Hardware, Tools, Basic Lumber, Housewares, Camping, Fasteners, and so much more!
Back History
The story began back in 1968 during a Christmas Eve gathering that bore the idea of starting a hardware store in Maple Valley. Six months after this discussion occurred, Wilderness Hardware Inc. opened for business in the Wilderness Village Shopping Center with a Coast to Coast affiliation. Stanley and Christine Johnson, in partnership with Karl and Ardis Johnson, started operating inside the new store. This store contained 2,800 sq. ft. of space and expanded twice before the next building was built.
Johnsons Home & Garden has been a family owned and operated small business for over 50 years in the heart of Maple Valley, Washington. Throughout the years, the Johnsons family business consisted of KJ Rental, Johnsons Woodworking, and Quintessence with various departments specializing in Lawn & Garden, Paint, Plumbing, Hardware, Tools, Basic Lumber, Housewares, Camping, Fasteners, and so much more!
The 20 year affiliation with Coast to Coast Hardware concluded and the new, ‘Do-it Center Hardware’ name adopted to tie with our new co-op, Do it Best. Do it Best, a 3.5 billion dollar company, allowed us to have the buying power needed to compete with larger box stores. Do it Best is one of the industry’s largest hardware cooperative, comprised with over 4,100 independently owned hardware and home improvement retailers in the United States and 45 countries worldwide. Not to mention, our store has access to over 67,000 items located in our warehouse in Woodburn, Oregon, many of which are in our inventory of over 85,000 items chosen specifically for the residents of the greater Maple Valley area.
In 1994, Stanley and Christine Johnson sold their remaining shares to J Johnson, making him the President. In 1997, J and Karen Johnson were married at the Do it Best market in Indianapolis, Indiana. This is the same year KJ Rental opened under the command of Karen Johnson. At J and Karen’s wedding, Brad Johnson (son of Stanley and Christine) reconnected with his hardware roots, and purchased partial ownership later this year.
The well-known shop, Quintessence, was a unique gift department that catered to many different gift styles. In 2006, Karen added a yarn corner which contained handpicked yarn, needles, and plans. In 2011, a car drove through Quintessence but thankfully no one was injured.
The store was renamed to ‘Johnsons Home & Garden’ to better reflect its local roots and its merchandise focus.
Our partnership with Stihl Outdoor Power Equipment began. We moved into the new 35,000 sq. ft. building (with a 6,500 sq. ft. enclosed greenhouse) that combined the Hardware Store, Woodworking Shop, KJ Rental, and Quintessence. This was the year Johnsons Home & Garden and the Voice of the Valley won ‘Co-Businesses of the Year’ at the Chamber’s annual dinner party.
Brad Johnson replaced J as the president and CEO of Johnsons Home & Garden. The store was named ‘Stihl Hardware All-Star’ for the state of Washington in the May issue of Hardware + Building Supply Dealer. Every year, HBSDealer has been on the search for high-performing, service-oriented, community-minded hardware stores throughout USA to nominate and join in the elite fraternity of honorees.
Though the community is rapidly growing and changing, your friends and team members at Johnsons Home & Garden will always be here to meet the needs of the residents of Maple Valley and its surrounding areas. We’ve never closed during a storm and are fully committed to serving our neighbors. We often open later during these periods, usually waiting for an extra truck delivery to meet the extra demand of these storms. So the next time your power is out, come on in to meet your neighbors. You, your children, grandchildren, and even your dogs, will be greeted with a smile, a bag of popcorn, and some hot coffee!
Addendum to 2020:
This year has been a challenging one for all of us, but Johnsons has and will always be here for our neighbors and community. Since the start of the pandemic, our store has implemented several new health guidelines to ensure the utmost safety of everyone who enters the store. This includes managing the flow of people who enter the store to reduce the risk for exposure for our customers and team. You will also notice distancing indicators in common foot traffic areas, as well as signs inside and outside the building, reminding customers to wear a face covering while shopping and other useful tips and safety protocols to help prevent the spread of the virus are also displayed in high traffic areas.
Meet Our Team
Brad Johnson - President
What do you enjoy about your job? The people, the daily challenge, helping others have a better day by helping them with their projects.
What values drive you? Honesty in all my dealings, self-reliance and hard work.
Jim - Floor Sales Manager
If you could have one item in the store for the rest of your life, what would it be? A Big Green Egg, Traeger, and Weber Summit – can’t choose just one!
What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Cooking, working around the house and spending time with my girls.
Cyndi - Training & Hiring Manager
How long have you worked at Johnsons? Since I was about nine years old!
What do you enjoy doing outside of work? I like to spend time at the beach, camping, home improvement projects and shopping at antique stores.
Sue - Paint Department
What is a fun fact about you? I’ve completed the Disney Dumbo Double Dare and also several 5 K’s, 10 K’s and a few half marathons.
What values drive you? Family involvement and doing my best when possible. Big into community involvement!
Lisa - Floor Sales Associate, Outdoor Power Specialist
What values drive you? Being positive because when you are positive it makes others follow.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Hiking, baking, walking a lot and gardening.
Tawny - Floor Sales Associate, Outdoor Power Specialist
How long have you worked at Johnsons? 15 years this June 2020.
If you could have one item in the store for the rest of your life, what would it be? For sure one of the Traeger’s; I really like cooking outside all year round!
Kelsey - Assistant Manager
How long have you worked at Johnsons? Just started my 10th year!
If you could have one item in the store for the rest of your life, what would it be? YETI’s! I am constantly in that aisle and have a mild obsession with everything YETI.
Mark - Floor Sales Associate
How long have you worked at Johnsons? 4 years as of May 2020
What do you enjoy about the work you do here? My co-workers, the positive environment, seeing new faces, the dogs that come in, the change of pace and variety every day, and working both inside and outside.
Kyle - Receiving
What is your company role?
Shipping and Receiving Associate
What values drive you?
Honesty, accountability, and the constant drive to be more efficient.
Eric - Courtesy Clerk
What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Crabbing, fishing, really anything outdoors!
Check back later for more team member bios!
