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Shorewood Home & Auto marked its 50th anniversary in October. Initially a Coast to Coast hardware store dealing with NAPA auto parts, it has expanded into a comprehensive provider of power equipment, featuring brands such as Exmark, John Deere, Polaris, and Toro.
Marc Moyer established the business in Shorewood Plaza in October 1974 and later relocated to 1002 W Jefferson St in the late 1990s. Following this move, Marc's son Kaj and nephew Kale Martin joined him in transforming the store into a hub for both work and leisure needs within the community.
“We’ve got a pretty good pulse on what goes on in this community,” said Marc. “And we do make ourselves available to that and try to mold ourselves into something that people will come in for and keep coming back for.”
Originally facing limited competition from Barrett’s Hardware in Joliet, Shorewood Home & Auto has adapted over time. The transition from Coast to Coast to Do it Best hardware occurred after the former went out of business in the mid-90s. They incorporated NAPA auto parts along with Torro lawn mowers and snowmobiles. The acquisition of John Deere products in the early 1980s was pivotal for their growth.
“Once we picked up Deere, the power equipment end of it started blossoming,” said Marc.
A key differentiator is their ability to service all power equipment sold immediately. “The natural evolution was going in an area where we can do well and the competition wasn’t at the doorstep,” said Marc. “And we service everything we sell and that’s the important part.”
The company now employs 17 mechanics capable of servicing customers ranging from government entities to homeowners.
Their workforce spans approximately 50 employees across three locations, with several long-tenured staff contributing significantly to their success.
“There’s a lot to learn here once you come on, so we do have a lot of multi-decade employees here,” said Kaj.
In addition to their original location, they acquired John Deere dealerships in Crete (2008) and Homer Glen (2019), maintaining consistent branding across all sites under Shorewood Home & Auto.
"We've got all three corners of Will County covered with Shorewood Home & Auto," stated Kaj.
Kale emphasized online visibility: “You do have to know what you’re looking at a little bit...everything we do sell is on our website."
Despite online options, they encourage personal visits: “We’d much rather have them in the store...where you can touch it, sit in it," Kaj explained.
Customer service remains central: "I think that’s a big thing...the customer is always right," said Marc.
Shorewood Home & Auto aims for continued commitment: “Everything we sell here, we stand behind it,” Kaj noted. Their goal is another successful half-century serving customers' needs for work or play while supporting community engagement.
