Our History
1952 Grand Opening
Maschino’s Hardware at 1715 S. Campbell had a Grand Opening October 31, 1952, in the Wedgewood Shopping Center–the second shopping center in Springfield. The country was rebounding after World War II. It was an age of opportunity and optimism. Shopping centers, suburbia, all promised a better life. Springfield was poised to enter an era of well managed growth and community spirit.
Bringing the Dream to Life
E.J. Maschino and his wife, Leola, began this business in 1952 with the tagline, “Maschino’s Hardware … just a step from your car.” However, the origin of the Maschino name in hardware began with the establishment of Schaeffer-Maschino Hardware on Commercial Street in 1903 by George Maschino (E.J. Maschino’s father) and his partner. They expanded to 410 S. Campbell in 1913. After George Maschino’s death in 1931, the store was sold. However, having his own hardware store continued to be the dream of E.J. Maschino. After his marriage and 16 years as a salesperson for Coleman Lamp and Stove Company, his 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.
The Growth of Maschino’s
Management of the business was assumed by daughter Nancy and her husband, Gary Brown, following the death of Mr. Maschino in 1972. In the ensuing years, the product mix and space has responded to a changing marketplace with changing customer needs. The initial hardware store products grew to include fireplace screens and wood stoves. As a counter to the fireplace/wood stove business, Maschino’s added patio furniture. The initial housewares section grew to an upper end housewares and china selection. This product mix allowed Maschino’s to be THE bridal registry store in the region. At one time, Maschino’s Bridal Registry had 157 brides registered with 5 employees dedicated to the Bridal Registry service. Early in 1987 the hardware and basic housewares business was sold to Glen Block True Value Hardware. Maschino’s product mix then expanded to include casual indoor furniture, along with the patio furniture, fireplace accessories, gifts, and bridal registry items already being carried. This resulted in the renaming of the business. Maschino’s Hardware became Maschino’s Home Expressions, later changed to Maschino’s Home Express, and now simply Maschino’s.
Maschino’s Today
Today, Maschino’s is a regional store specializing in outdoor living, fireplace and wood stoves. In 2003, the Maschino family celebrated 100 years of business, and began its second century of service in Springfield. Our current, and most well known location at 1715 S Campbell Ave is celebrating 70 years of business in the Ozarks as of October 2022. For generations Maschino’s has built its reputation on quality products and knowledgeable service. Maschino’s has and will offer quality products that last and knowledge that saves!
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 Mr. 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 furniture and grill design. Eventually, she became assistant manager and as of 2020, their daughter Hailey has joined the team full time.
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 Dornan
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 Bryan
Service and Install
One half of our install team, he and Nate work 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 Gertz
Service and Install
As our lead service technician, Corey’s background in all over home repair allows him to troubleshoot all aspects of fireplaces and their function. If Corey can’t fix it, nobody can! After work, he’s usually found hanging out with his kiddo or relaxing to some classic vinyls.
John Mack
Service and Install
John is our jack-of-all-trades in our warehouse. He can install your log set, troubleshoot any issues, fix your umbrella, and then install your grill. He’s been working with Joan to take over the grill island fabrication department between all his other appointments. With what free time he has, he focuses on his passion to be a menace to his fur babies and wife.
Nate Punjani
Service and Install
Nate is the other half of our install team with Adam, 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 chaise, you can find him relaxing at home with his family and a good movie.
Scott Alexander
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 Angle
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.
Jovani Acevedo
Support Team
Jovani is relatively new to the Maschino’s team, working with both Scott and John on fireplace and patio jobs to find his preferred niche. When he’s not training with service techs, he’s usually on the soccer field with friends.
Nick Twedell
Support Team
Nick is the newest to Maschino’s and also works with Scott and John. He’s training with our techs to see what kind of work fireplace and patio entails to see where his best fit on the team is. When he’s not working in the store, you can find him working on hobby cars or at the gym.
Shana Zahn
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 Lee
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.
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.
Daisy Mae
Support Team
The youngest member of the Maschino’s team, Daisy is our greeter in training! She’s still teething but that just means she’s happy to sink her teeth into any job she’s given.