Old hardware stores

[lihpster]

The thread on pocket watches got me remembering how every year my dad used to go buy a cheap quartz pocket watch from the grocery/hardware/liquor store gas station where we deer hunted. The store fit my idea of what a hardware store should be. Multiple entrances, multiple rooms with different height floors, at least 50% of those floors to be wood and a staggering assortment of items. I remember my father once found a canteen, one of the wool covered "cowboy" types, that was missing the lid. Had it for a couple of years and used a cork stopper. Then one day he asked about it at the store. The guy thought for a bit then got a ladder, moved several boxes on a top shelf and came up with a small, very dusty, box with about 12 envelopes in it. Each envelope had a cap and the chain for a canteen. They had everything and if they didn't they usually had something that would work. Now with Ace, Lowes and the big orange gorilla, you just don't get the same experience.

 

[sureshotbob]

We have a local hardware store that is only one floor but is so packed with stuff and the isles are so narrow that only one person can pass at a time .
The owner and several of the old guy's that work there know everybody by name.
I do believe it is affiliated with Ace Hardware.
They will have what you need most of the time . It may cost a few cents more than the big box stores I try to give them as much business as I can.

 

[Rustyt1953]

In high school this was the "go to" place around here. It seemed it had everything. The building is very deep with row after row of wooden shelves and wooden bins. It smelled the way you would imagine a hardware store to smell. Family owned and only closed on Christmas day.

My dad and my FIL absolutely loved the place.

Sadly the big boxes finally shut them down a couple years ago.

 

[tlawler]

When I was growing up in the Orlando area, we had Skycraft. I used to love going there with my dad and browsing through all of the surplus hardware. They bought surplus stuff from NASA, the military and aerospace contractors scattered throughout the central Florida region and broke it down to component pieces for resale. If you wanted to build something cool, you could find the parts there.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

In the late 70's and early 80's, at the corner of 5th and High in Columbus was Acker's Hardware. I dealt with "The Old Man" (he was a son-in-law and not of the same last name) but he was the end of the family line.

I was in my "invention phase" and I did business for work during the day with them, and in the early evening I bought for myself. When I needed some odd-ball tool or screw, he take me into the basement and there would be piles of what I needed but it had a small amount of surface rust on it. I couldn't determine the age, but the pricing was about 10 cents on the dollar!

He ask me one night if I understood why he was doing this? Then told me, that as a Kid he had met Thomas Edison! That spirit, the American Way of inventing whatever you need, is how America beat out the rest of the world! He said he was counting on me to come up with something to keep America on top of the world. I haven't made that invention, YET! My Sons all think and work that way and now I see it in my grandsons do too.

When I see the young men at church trying to "Build the better Mouse Trap", I give them any support I can!

Keep that flame alive, and We are unconquerable! INVICTUS!

Ivan

 

[Countrycuz]

When I moved to the small town I've lived in the last 40+ years, there where 3 hardware stores. Between them could get about anything, including guns and ammo. Down to one now, no guns or ammo. I still give them as much business as possible. Nice to have a local option to the big box stores 30 miles away.

 

[snubbyfan]

Out here in West Virginia there's a hardware/gun shop/restaurant/gas station/grocery store/feed store/post office we pass on our way to the gym. Occasionally we'll stop to pick up some chicken or pork chops, stop for dinner on our way home and I'll drool all over the gun cabinet.
They also usually have the least expensive gas.

 

[spricks]

When I was young and growing up, we had a family-owned hardware store called Weller's Hardware store. It was a place I will never forget. The old hardwood floors creaked with every step across them. The displays of guns behind the counter are something a young man drooled at.

It was tradition in our home that we earned a new shotgun when we were confirmed. We all were blessed with Remington 870 Wingmasters. Dad bought them for less than $100 back then. Great wood on all our guns.

It's now the chamber of commerce building and law office. Must be the nice old floors that keep the building going. Every time I go past there the memories return of the good old days.

 

[Greyman50]

There is an old time hardware store/ gun shop in JAX. Surprised its still there. Most Aces are way better than the 2 big chain store. H.D. does not cut glass any more?????

 

[lihpster]

Out here in West Virginia there's a hardware/gun shop/restaurant/gas station/grocery store/feed store/post office we pass on our way to the gym. Occasionally we'll stop to pick up some chicken or pork chops, stop for dinner on our way home and I'll drool all over the gun cabinet.
They also usually have the least expensive gas.

This store never sold guns, but you could get ammo there. They had a display case where they sold used gear. I've seen a Randall knife and a Confederate saber that were both the real deal. And they wanted real deal money for them. But they must have sold because I only saw each of them once. I remember they had an old brass pocket size compass with no makers name on it. Could have been homemade for all I know. Was there for years. I think they had like $70 on it. Was there one year and a guy nearly broke his arm trying to pay for it. Guess he knew something the rest of us didn't. Hell, I still don't!

 

[lihpster]

One more thing that isn't absolutely necessary, but helps with the atmosphere, literally, is a popcorn popper and bags so you can munch as you shop. Also, there's always a few pieces of popcorn on the floor. Kind of like peanut shells in a bar.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Nevada has a few feed stores and old style hardware buildings around
in the rural areas.
I go there to get good prices on bird feed, wood pellets and lots of odds and ends
that are way cheaper than the Major "New type" orange & blue stores.

I just hope the "Older clan & ranch type can keep them all in business.

 

[Rpg]

There was a great little hardware store in a small town in western Nebraska I used to stop by when pheasant hunting.

It had a wonderful assortment of stuff that you wouldn’t find anywhere else.

On one occasion, I found packages of eisenglass (mica) panels for kerosene heaters. I needed a couple panels to replace broken ones in a collapsible candle lantern my grandfather used taking my father camping in the 1920’s.

 

[mckenney99]

When I was in elementary school my mom worked in a little dress shop on the Main Street of our Little Miami River town on the outskirts of Cincinnati. At the time, I was attending the elementary schools that were within walking distance of my mom's work place. Also downtown on Main Street was an old fashioned five & dime store with old bins and glass jars of bulk candy and cheap dime store toys. There was also an old fashioned hardware store across the street with what seemed like one of everything under the sun, including a small selection of firearms and cases upon cases of knives. Both stores had the old fashioned stained and worn hardwood floors that popped and creaked with every step you took and they both had different and distinct smells and sounds. I got to haunt both of these stores for hours after school, when my homework was completed, until mom would close up the dress shop. I learned to behave and be polite to the owners while on my own, because the owners and clerks all knew my mom and dad personally. Great memories.

 

[Rustyt1953]

When I was in elementary school my mom worked in a little dress shop on the Main Street of our Little Miami River town on the outskirts of Cincinnati. At the time, I was attending the elementary schools that were within walking distance of my mom's work place. Also downtown on Main Street was an old fashioned five & dime store with old bins and glass jars of bulk candy and cheap dime store toys.

In Norwood we had Neisner's Five & Dime complete with soda fountain.

 

[DWalt]

In the late 70's and early 80's, at the corner of 5th and High in Columbus was Acker's Hardware. I dealt with "The Old Man" (he was a son-in-law and not of the same last name) but he was the end of the family line.

I was in my "invention phase" and I did business for work during the day with them, and in the early evening I bought for myself. When I needed some odd-ball tool or screw, he take me into the basement and there would be piles of what I needed but it had a small amount of surface rust on it. I couldn't determine the age, but the pricing was about 10 cents on the dollar!

He ask me one night if I understood why he was doing this? Then told me, that as a Kid he had met Thomas Edison! That spirit, the American Way of inventing whatever you need, is how America beat out the rest of the world! He said he was counting on me to come up with something to keep America on top of the world. I haven't made that invention, YET! My Sons all think and work that way and now I see it in my grandsons do too.

When I see the young men at church trying to "Build the better Mouse Trap", I give them any support I can!

Keep that flame alive, and We are unconquerable! INVICTUS!

Ivan

I remember that store, but not the name. I used to walk by it most every day, never went into it as I remember. I was living on Clark Place, which ran west from North High, between Fifth and King. I remember another hardware store on North High which was a little north of King. I never went in there either. Was going to OSU and working part time at Battelle.

 

[sureshotbob]

When I moved to Terryville, Ct. in 1982 there where 3 hardware stores one was a Western Auto and a True Value and Lee hardware that I spoke of in my post above Lee Hardware is the only one left.
There is a feed store that is starting to sell a limited amount of hardware.
At one time Terryville was known as a lock town as Eagle Lock Co. was the main employer until they went on strike and ended up closing . It also was the home of Elie Terry the famous clock maker that my stepsons are related to.

 

[armadillo]

The T. C. Lindsey General Store in Jonesville, TX is still in operation after more than 150 years. It is just off IH-20 near the Louisiana border.

I went there a few times about 30 years ago when I lived in Shreveport. Unfinished wood floor and the shelves were still stocked with a huge variety of old stuff that must have been there since before I was born.

 

[Willyboy]

Hardware Stores

Joliet had Barrett’s Hardware. That is where my dad bought a Marlin 39a
for me. Barrett’s is long gone, but I still have that rifle. Willyboy

 

[Rudi]

Nothing like like those old stores. The smell, the creaky wooden floors, and treasures around every corner.