The Hechinger Company was an American chain of home-improvement centers headquartered in Landover, Maryland, on the immediate outskirts of Washington, D.C., from 1911 to 1999. It was also an online retailer owned by Home Decor Products from 2004 to 2009.
History
Sidney L. Hechinger had initially established himself in the wrecking and salvage business in 1911, and in 1919 opened his first hardware store in Southwest Washington, D.C.[1]
Sidney Hechinger focused his hardware business exclusively on retail customers in 1924, eschewing contractors and builders.[2] His decision foresaw the rise of the home improvement industry before the sector even had a name.
The five-store company reorganized in 1953, with Sidney's son John and son-in-law Richard England becoming partners in the company, which was divided into a retail hardware business and a wholesale building supplies company, the latter being called Richard England Associates.[3] John also served as the first appointed City Council chairman of Washington, D.C.[4]