Good Morning! 

Despite all the continued economic headwinds, The Home Depot is seeing similar levels of demand as last year. They noted that dynamic in their earning this week, which I'd consider a positive sign all things considered.

They also continue to grow their digital sales. They've had four quarters in a row with double-digit growth. That digital growth trend is something we're seeing across all of the large hardware retailers.

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Unfortunately, I was traveling this week and couldn't make my usual appearance on The BBQ Central Show. Greg put together a great line-up though with Steven Raichlen followed by the winner of the Open Fire competition at Memphis in May, Emma Nguyen in the first hour. After that, it was Susie and Todd Todd Bulloch, followed by the inventor of the PoulTree, Toney Smith in the second hour.

MAK Grills has permanently closed after 16 years in business. They made premium pellet grills in Oregon with US-sourced components. Their grills featured a proprietary controller and some unique features. No reason was given for the closure but it's a tough operating environment for any grill company right now.

Blackstone released the Bronco Open Flame Grill earlier this year. It's a Santa Maria grill that was a surprising release given how different it is from their other grills and it's low price tag. I reviewed one and was impressed with its value and heat retention. Plus, I had a lot of fun cooking on it.

WeatherStrong offers outdoor kitchen cabinets that are made to order right from their facility in Barstow, Florida. I caught up with them on what makes their cabinets unique, and what differentiates them as a company. They are a great option for any dealer or homeowner.

Finally, Do It Best has appointed a new Chief Operating Officer. He'll focus on consolidating the True Value brand that they previously acquired.

Thanks For Reading! Grilling Season is Upon Us!

Wes Wright

Founder and CEO

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