Our History
1952 Grand Opening
Maschino’s current location at 1715 S. Campbell, then Maschino’s Hardware, had our grand opening on October 31, 1952. The country was rebounding after World War II and the Wedgewood Shopping Center was only the second built in Springfield. At the time, our corner of Sunshine and Campbell was just dirt roads and open fields; but it was an age of opportunity and optimism. Shopping centers, suburbia, and an era of growth all promised a better life.
Bringing the Dream to Life
The origin of the Maschino name in hardware began in 1903 with the establishment of Schaeffer-Maschino Hardware on Commercial Street by George Maschino. A decade later Shaeffer-Maschino Hardware expanded to 410 S. Campbell but, after George Maschino’s death in 1931, the store was sold. George’s son, E.J., however, carried on George’s dream. After marrying Leola and 16 years as a salesperson at Coleman Lamp and Stove Company, that dream was realized. At the age of 45 the Maschino’s invested every penny they had — and what they could borrow — to bring this dream to life. E.J. and Leola opened Maschino’s Hardware in 1952 with the tagline, “Maschino’s Hardware … just a step from your car.”
The Growth of Maschino’s
Management of Maschino’s Hardware was assumed by E.J. and Leola’s daughter, Nancy, and her husband, Gary Brown, following the death of Mr. Maschino in 1972. In the ensuing years, the product selection and building has responded to a changing marketplace with changing customer needs. The initial hardware store grew to include fireplace screens and wood stoves. As a compliment to the fireplace department, Maschino’s added patio furniture. The housewares section grew to an upper end housewares and china selection. This growing selection allowed Maschino’s to be THE place for bridal registries in the region. At one time, Maschino’s registry department had 5 dedicated employees and 157 registered brides.
Early in 1987, the hardware and basic housewares selections were sold to Glen Block True Value Hardware who had joined Maschino’s in the shopping center. Maschino’s product mix then had room to include casual indoor furniture alongside the patio selection, fireplace accessories, gifts, and the bridal registry items already being carried. This resulted in a rebranding of the business. Maschino’s Hardware became Maschino’s Home Expressions and eventually, simply Maschino’s.
Maschino’s Today
Today, Maschino’s is still just a single storefront but we’ve expanded our service range to the four-state area. Specializing in outdoor living, outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, and grills we still take pride in providing our customers the Maschino’s experience. In 2003, the Maschino family celebrated 100 years of business in Springfield, and celebrated 70 years of business in the same location in 2022. Maschino’s has and will offer quality products that last and knowledge that saves for generations to come — this is the Maschino’s experience we want to share with you!
Our Future
Maschino’s began as a family business with the goal of making sure our customers feel a sense of family and personalized service. Still family owned by E.J. Maschino’s daughter, Nancy, the sales floor and install teams are also staffed with family. Our General manager, Greg, who has been here for 40+ years, introduced his wife, Joan, to Maschino’s in 2014 where she quickly took to patio furniture and grill island design. Eventually, she became assistant manager and their daughter Hailey has taken lead in the patio furniture and electric fireplace departments.
Beyond traditional familial ties, the remainder of the staff could be mistaken for family as well, often seen in group outings for dinner after work or enjoying time on the lake together. The store’s holiday get-togethers are looked forward to each year with stories that are passed along to the newest team members. Even day-to-day, you’re sure to hear us around the store, playfully jesting and laughing with each other so when you visit Maschino’s for your project, you’re sure to feel like part of the family, too!
Current Team
Nancy Maschino
Owner
Granddaughter to the original Mr. Maschino, Nancy still manages the big decisions at the store. Formerly a salesperson herself, she’s seen the store through decades of changes. She manages to do all of this while simultaneously being a grandmother, advocating for Springfield’s historical society, and enjoying her time painting.
Greg Nutting
General Manager
Greg has worked at Maschino’s for over 40 years doing anything from counting bolts and offloading train cars full of fireplace doors to selling fine China and patio furniture. He’s now our General Manager the head of our fireplace installation department when he’s not enjoying a game in his favorite chair. Go Packers!
Joan Nutting
Store Manager
Joan is our Store Manager and head of two departments: grill island design and fabrication as well as our fireplace technical support department. On top of all this, she’s also the Midwest liaison to the National board of the HPBA. When she’s not at work or in a legislative meeting you can usually find her in front of the fire reading a good book with her dogs.
Hailey Hasek
Sales Team
Hailey is Maschino’s patio expert. She joined us with a background in hospitality management and photography, taking quickly to patio design (and how to photograph it). She’s working with Greg to tackle the residential fireplace installs on top of that to give her customers the whole package. In her off time, you can likely find her on the green soaking up the sunshine.
Adam
Service and Install
One third of our install team, he works directly with Greg and local builders to install fireplaces in new construction and remodels. His background in construction and extermination give him a unique perspective on homes from roof, to crawlspace, even inside the walls. When he isn’t on a ladder, he can be found in his workshop turning wood into functional art.
Corey
Service and Install
One third of our install team, Corey installs fireplaces into new homes and renovations.
Nate
Service and Install
Nate is one third of our install team, working directly with Greg and local builders to install fireplaces in new construction and remodels. He has a background in high energy service fields that give him the flexibility to do something new every day. When he’s not inside a fireplace chaise, you can find him relaxing at home with his family and a good movie.
Jovani
Service and Install
Jovani is relatively new to the Maschino’s team, he’s working to find his niche in fireplace servicing, patio, or grill islands by testing the waters in each field. When he’s not helping out around the store, he’s usually on the soccer field with friends.
Scott
Service and Install
Scott is our up and coming service tech – primarily working on vent free units, he also has experience in our patio department. Working with Hailey on both new pieces and refinishing projects he knows his way around many different types of furniture. When he’s not assembling or disassembling something, he’s usually hosting a game night with friends.
Breanna
Support Team
Breanna is Maschino’s do-it-all-girl. Her primary job is at the front desk as our receptionist, but she can fill in for almost any job in the store to keep everything running as smooth as possible. When she’s not answering phone calls, she can usually be found cozying up to her dog on the couch while crocheting.
Jay
Support Team
Jay is our warehouse manager so you’ll likely see him on the forklift or helping someone load up an order. When he isn’t going through shipments, he’s likely at home trying to wrangle the kiddos.
Josh
Support Team
Josh is relatively new to the Maschino’s team and is looking for his preferred spot in our fireplace or grill island department. While he trains with our service and install teams, he’s also getting plenty of experience in our patio department. When he’s not tackling a lengthy to-do list, he’s at home enjoying time with family!
Shana
Support Team
Shana is our in-house accountant, working daily with our customers and distributers to ensure anything financial based runs smoothly. In her off time, she’s usually taking care of her new puppy and entertaining her 11 grandchildren.
Sophia
Support Team
Sophia is relatively new to the Maschino’s team. Another do-it-all-girl, she works with Breanna to keep the store pristine and running smoothly. When she’s not filing stacks of paperwork, she’s performing or practicing routines for color guard.
Theo
Support Team
Theo helps keep the fireplace department running smoothly by ensuring the stacks of paperwork that come with these jobs are up to date! From service and repairs to installs and commercial jobs, she know what’s happening and where! When she isn’t decoding handwriting, she’s likely hanging out with her friends, her kids, or both.
Tito & Tequila
Support Team
The twins, Tito and Tequila, are our greeters and quality control experts. When they’re not napping around the store, they’re usually digging holes in mom and dad’s yard or practicing their puppy dog eyes.
