At 89, Bill Fiddler Sr.’s extremely long memory can recall details—his first customer, trends in doorknobs, the history of Schlage locks. He can remember what type of faucet you purchased at his store 15 years ago—even if you can’t. It’s something his customers have come to depend on, and now, manufacturers are getting in on the act.

The Fiddler family is starting to capitalize on its collective encyclopedic knowledge, while “branding” its expertise. Manufacturers routinely check in with the Fiddlers for feedback on prototypes and new designs, and recently, they have begun packaging items with the Fiddler family name.

Several different manufacturers market specialty items, such as drains, overflows and showerheads, with the Fiddler name, says Bill Fiddler Jr., Fiddler’s president and son of Bill Sr. and Betty Fiddler. There are even plans to expand their decorative-hardware brand.

“We are considered national leaders in the industry,” says Bill Jr. “We take an active role in our industry. The manufacturers recognize that, and they come to us first for our opinions.”

The Fiddler’s team, from left, Greg Bardon, Bill Fiddler, Sr., Denise Fiddler, Paul Pedro, Bill Fiddler, Jr. and Betty Fiddler.

At their 2,700-square-foot showroom, the Fiddlers stock about 1,000 different knobs, hundreds of faucets and a plethora of showerheads, sinks, mirrors and cabinets. All items are scrutinized before they hit the sales floor.

“The climate here in Hawaii is different—even from other tropical places like Florida,” says Bill Jr. “If manufacturers won’t tell us what a product is made of, we’ll take a file to it. Things that hold up in other places, often just won’t work here.”

Founded in 1955, Fiddler’s is the nation’s first exclusively decorative hardware and plumbing showroom, according to Denise Fiddler, showroom manager. Plus, the family founded the national Decorative Hardware Trade Association. Bill Jr. sat on the board for the National Kitchen & Bath Association. Both Bill and Denise travel to the Mainland three or four times a year to look at new products. Although roughly 60 percent of their business is to the trade, the Fiddlers’ focus is on the homeowner.

“We get a lot of repeat business,” says Bill Jr. “We don’t want items to wear out so that we can sell customers new ones. We hope that what they purchased is so wonderful that when they sell their house and they need a new one … they’ll come to us.”