Personalized service and a wide selection of products at many price points are longtime hallmarks of Foxworth Decorative Hardware in Mount Pleasant. Christine Foxworth’s father started the business on Church Street in Charleston in the 1970s when she was in high school. She learned the hardware business and took over the day-to-day management of the business when she was 23. Her father eventually sold the company. But, in 2005, Foxworth relaunched Foxworth Decorative Hardware.

Her husband, Rob Reilly, joined the company in 2006 as vice president of sales and operations. They relocated the business three years ago to the Shem Creek area, taking full advantage of the improved exposure and walk-in traffic. The store remains open on Saturdays, allowing customers to make decisions without the hectic pressure of the workweek.

Foxworth and Reilly, along with showroom manager Andy Pendarvis, work closely with contractors, interior designers, architects and individual homeowners to select just the right hardware for a new or remodeled home. They even let clients sign out products so they can see how they look in their homes before they make a decision. Though people tend to consider decorative hardware big-ticket items, Foxworth Decorative Hardware proves them wrong by offering options for door and cabinet hardware at every price point. By the time people get around to selecting hardware, Reilly explains, they may have spent most of their budget on cabinets, countertops and floors. But his team can put together a selection of options—good, better and best —so customers can choose the one that suits their taste and their checkbook.

Besides offering competitive prices, Reilly says the real secret to the company’s success is its customer service. Reilly and Foxworth are responsive and ready to jump in to assist a contractor in a jam or a homeowner who has a piece of broken hardware.

The in-store service is personal and responsive. The company encourages customers who are building new homes to make appointments to ensure they receive one-on-one attention. Some customers know just what they want, while others might spend several hours poring over the many options available. The Foxworth team is happy to work with both. “Our customer service is truly second to none,” Reilly says. “It’s the key to our success.”

If homeowners have a problem with hardware, they can call or e-mail a photo. “Most of the time,” says Reilly, “we can identify and fix the problem at no charge.” He knows that his extra generosity will pay off when that customer returns to purchase new hardware—or refers a friend.

It’s this kind of goodwill that keeps businesses going during tough times. Like many, Foxworth Decorative Hardware hit a slump around 2009. But although new construction collapsed, people continued to renovate their homes. Those projects kept Foxworth Decorative Hardware going.

In the last two years, the company has seen a significant uptick in sales. “I see houses under construction and don’t hesitate to stop and find out who the builder is so I can share the Foxworth experience,” Reilly says.

The showroom is lined with all styles of hardware—contemporary, rustic and traditional. About 45 vendors supply knobs and handles for cabinets, bathrooms and front doors. Bath accessories include towel bars, tissue holders, lighted vanity mirrors and towel warmers.

Foxworth Decorative Hardware has one of the largest selections of Rocky Mountain bronze hardware in the state. They also offer a unique selection of glass cabinet hardware from Windborne, Sietto, Grace White Glass and Beezie Glasswork, a Sullivan’s Island-based company that specializes in custom designs.

For people who prefer the rustic look, Foxworth suggests Barz Decorative Hardware out of Colorado. There’s even an English line of hand-stitched leather handles and accessories on display in the showroom.

Unlacquered brass, antique brass, matte brass, oil-rubbed bronze, satin nickel, chrome and polished nickel are among the more popular finishes today, and Foxworth has them all. Foxworth Decorative Hardware is all about selection and variety—they offer options that go far beyond what you find in national home improvement centers.

“It’s nice to see customers get their dream homes,” Foxworth says. “We find out what they want and stay within their budget…everyone is happy.”

Holly Fisher is a freelance writer and editor in Mount Pleasant. Reach her at HAFCreative.com.