A Celebration of Books,
Writers & LIterary Excellence

Save the Date


Gaithersburg
Book Festival

May 17, 2025

10am – 6pm

Bohrer Park


Gina Schaefer

Featured Title: Recovery Hardware: A Nuts and Bolts Story About Building a Business, Restoring a Community, and Renovating Lives
Recovery Hardware: A Nuts and Bolts Story About Building a Business, Restoring a Community, and Renovating Lives

Determined to bring her neglected neighborhood back to life, Gina Schaefer opened her first hardware store near Whitman-Walker’s Addiction Services program. What began as an effort to help her community recover evolved into a safe space for countless people in recovery to rebuild their lives.

Recovery Hardware shares A Few Cool Hardware Stores CEO Gina Schaefer’s path to building a business that revitalized her neglected urban community and provided opportunities for everyone to thrive, no matter their past.

You’ll discover:

  • Lessons from resilient employees who struggled with substance abuse.
  • Surprising skills from unconventional backgrounds that you won’t find on a résumé.
  • How to put bravery into the backbone of your business.
  • Humorous insights into retail ownership, like how to choose the right store dog.
  • Workforce solutions to remove obstacles for people in recovery.

Second chances transform communities and change lives-and it starts with one store at a time. Read Recovery Hardware and start building a better business where growth gives back.

About Gina Schaefer

Gina Schaefer is the founder and CEO of 12 hardware stores in Washington, D.C., and the surrounding areas. As a member of the Ace Hardware Cooperative, Gina leads a multimillion-dollar business that employs 260 people. Dedicated to maintaining a strong corporate culture, Gina has begun a transfer of ownership through an ESOP to her teammates. She is also the author of “Recovery Hardware, A Nuts and Bolts Story About Building a Business, Restoring a Community, and Renovating Lives.” Gina also serves on the Corporate Board of CCA Global and the non-profit board of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.

Facebook

Instagram: @recoveryhardware

Author Schedule:

Venue(s):

Frederick Douglass Pavilion

Presentation Start Time:

10:15 am

Presentation End Time:

11:05 am

Signing Time:

11:15 am

Presentation Authors: