About Us

Hank's Specialties started in May of 1976 with Hank Grachek selling his floor covering supplies out of an eight hundred square foot rental garage. In only two years Hank's budding business was moved into a permanent 4,700 square foot warehouse located in New Brighton, MN.

The operation's success in the following decade allowed the opening of several branch locations in the Twin Cities area. The acquisition of more and more superior product lines was a great, ongoing achievement, and thanks to the loyal, long term employees of Hank's Specialties the foundation of highest-level customer service was set.

It was during this time that Hank groomed his two sons, Randy and Bruce, in all facets of his business. In 1989 Hank sold the remaining shares of Hank's Specialties to his sons, but remained very much involved in the following years.

The 1990s saw a decade of tremendous growth. Hanks not only expanded further into Minnesota with branches opening in Rochester and St. Cloud, but also into North Dakota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Nebraska with new locations appearing in Fargo, Eau Claire, Des Moines and Omaha respectively. This expansion gave Hanks a strong presence in the Midwest, both to their customers and to their suppliers.

In 2003, as the new millennium continued to share this growth, Hanks upgraded the New Brighton facility to a 110,000 square foot distribution center just blocks away from the old site. The Rochester and Plymouth locations also received upgrades, and new branches opened up in Cedar Falls, IA; Cedar Rapids, IA; Sioux Falls, SD; Duluth, MN; Rapid City, SD; Bismarck, ND and Lincoln, NE.

"Over the last thirty years Hank's Specialties has shown the ability to provide great products at a competitive price. Our commitment to inventory and our coverage of the Midwest shows dedication to our customers and vendors."
-Randy Grachek