History Built on Quality

Beacon Paint & Hardware was founded around 1900. The store started as Beacon Paint & Varnish Co., later changed to Beacon Paint & Wallpaper, and later to its current name. The store originally was located on the West side of Amsterdam Avenue, approximately where the florist is now. Around 1940, Beacon relocated to its present location – 371 Amsterdam Ave.

Before becoming Beacon Paint, 371 Amsterdam Ave. was the home of an A&P supermarket. The rear of the store is where the supermarket kept the horse and buggy it used to make deliveries. In 1971, Mel Stark (who previously worked at now-defunct Long Island Paints) bought the store from then-owner Joe Sage. Mel had also worked at his father-in-law’s paint store on the East Side many, many years ago. Mel’s sons, Bruce and Steven, and daughter, Ellen, now run day-to-day operations; Ellen also serves as bookkeeper. Mel is now officially retired.

Beacon’s presence on Amsterdam Avenue has been steadfast, even as the neighborhood around it changed dramatically. Beacon’s previous neighbors included a New York City Sanitation Department office, an antiques store and even Beacon’s own art supply annex.

One with the Community

Beacon has always been a more than just another hardware store. Always supportive of our neighbors and the community, we are proud to make customer service our No. 1 priority. Beacon takes pride in supporting its neighborhood, offering balloons to children and biscuits to dogs. Every holiday elicits a gift, the favorite being Halloween because Beacon gives out small toys. Valentine’s Day prompts a red rose for all female customers.

Beacon donates anything P.S. 87 needs for its holiday events, including decorations for their haunted house on Halloween and the donation of paint for murals.

Along with New York City Councilwoman Gail Brewer, Beacon helped clean graffiti off mailboxes and repainted same, as well as fire hydrants and yellow stripes near the hydrants. (Beacon donated the paint and supplies.) Beacon has also donated hundreds of gallons of mismatched paint to non-profits organizations.

Beacon also supports local block associations and is more than willing to become a paid member of any of them.

For 10 years, Beacon Paint has sponsored a walkathon to benefit various charities. This Fall it will be for the benefit of Guiding Eyes for the Blind, a guide dog foundation.

Bruce’s tireless efforts have won him universal praise among the store’s neighbors, customers and suppliers. Beacon recently donated 20 gallons of environmentally friendly paint to their new neighbor, PS334.

Beacon has donated its famous "Bucket O' Tools" to nearly every school in the neighborhood, for the annual auction of each school.

Halloween means its the time for Bruce to get into costume and give out -not candy- but toys. He stands outside the store to be sure no one walks by without a gift.

Bruce, who has worked at Beacon for 30-plus years (starting as a teenager) is known in the neighborhood as “The Mayor,” gladhanding just about any passer-by and chatting. Steven, who left a 17-year journalism career in 2000 to join the family business, is almost as well known, thanks in part to his trusty companion, a black Lab named Bru (named for Bruce), whom he walks and plays with in and near the store.

Awards and Activities In 2008, Beacon Paint was named both National Paint Dealer of the Year, and NYC Small Business of the Year, the latter being awarded by Mayor Bloomberg. In 2009, beacon became known nationwide, finishing as a finalist in the American Express "SHINE A LIGHT" campaign, shining a light on American small businesses. Beacon finished in the top 3 from over 4,000 nominees. Also in 2009, Beacon participated in the New York Eco Fair, promoting the many environmentally-friendly products they sell.
Trade Show Participation The annual Buildings NY trade show in June at the Javits Convention Center attracts the decision-makers in the buildings industry and Beacon is there, too. If you’re such a decision maker, we invite you to stop by our booth at the next show.