By Matthieu Vollmer

Business Writer

MARSHFIELD — Hiller’s True Value has been a hardware hub since 1963 and continues to serve the greater Marshfield area to this day.

“They can always help us find what we need. I have so many stories about how helpful they have been. We bought our very first Christmas ornaments from Hiller’s 25 years ago this year,” said Jayne Frahmann, a regular customer at Hiller’s and a Marshfield native.

Owned by Phil Hiller and staffed by about 20 employees, Hiller’s is a member of the Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Main

Ryan Hiller, Phil Hiller’’s son, stops for a quick photo behind the service desk at Hiller’’s True Value on South Central Avenue in Marshfield.

Street Marshfield, and the Midwest Hardware Association.

Hiller and his wife Jill have been heavily involved in the Marshfield community.

Phil Hiller served as technical director for high school plays where he helped kids build sets for plays such as “Guys and Dolls” and “Arsenic and

Old Lace.” The Hillers are commonly known for placing an American Flag in every yard in the Marshfield area for the Fourth of July. This past Independence Day they distributed 11,000 flags in five hours with the help of 200 volunteers.

The store was founded by Phil’s father Don Hiller at the original location in the “100 Block” of Marshfield. Phil’s mother still comes in to the shop on a daily basis.

Phil Hiller said his father came to Marshfield from Chicago with five kids and $5,000. Phil Hiller started at the store right out of high school and has been in the business for over 40 years.

When asked what he would recommend to someone who has not been in the store before, Hiller replied, “I would expect them to enjoy a shopping experience that isn’t found just anywhere, between service and a friendly atmosphere.” Hiller said that locals have been known to say, “If you can’t find it at Hiller’s, you can’t find it anywhere.”

Hiller’s carries a variety of inventory including ice melt, tools, general building supplies, and paint. Unique products include their wide variety of rentals, which includes ladders, tents, tables, chairs, roasters, and inflatables. Other unique products sold at Hillers include Weber grills, a variety of uncommon batteries, Wilton baking and decorating products, and green house plants.

“The Weber grills, those are probably my favorite and what I’m probably most hands-on with,” said Hiller when asked what his favorite products were in the store. Hiller’s assembles and delivers each grill and provides an LP exchange.

In the spirit of the holiday season, Hiller’s carries of variety of seasonal products including artificial Christmas trees, lights, replacement bulbs, wreaths, hanging baskets, cookie cutters, sprinkles, and more. Other baking accessories include whisks, pastry wheels, sprinkles, lollipop kits, baking cups, and icing decorations.

“They have a little bit of everything. Today I’m getting paint for the dining room. I like that they keep all of my paints on record. (Phil) always has good deals. They’ve all been so helpful always. It’s nice to shop local and know the people you are doing business with,” said Frahmann.

Through the years Hiller’s has remained a family run business. Three of Hiller’s five children—Ryan, Jeron, and Amber—are very involved with the business. Amber is the new Wilton cake decorating instructor while Ryan and Jeron are involved with other aspects of the business.

Hiller’s True Value, located at 751 S. Central Ave. in Marshfield, is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. To learn more about general merchandise or decorating classes, call 715-384-9101, visit truevalue.com/hillers, or search for “Hiller’s True Value” on Facebook. Visit hillerstruevalue.com to learn more about party rentals.