Old hardware stores

[Bro. Dave]

Years ago there was one of those great old time hardware stores in the town of Dublin, Texas. The sign painted on the glass of the front window was one my wife and I still reference and laugh about.

It said, "Various items and other things" We still find it an amusing description of our storage building's contents.

 

[Eddietruett]

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.

There is a great LGS in Wagram NC That I’m sure at least a few members have visited. Name is Midsouth Guns where you can find $50 guns and $50k guns. Probably the largest selection of side by side shotguns east of the Mississippi and maybe west too. Why I mentioned the store it is in an old brick building with wood floors. When you walk in, the smell of gun oil is in the air and reminds me of the hardware stores around in the 50’s and 60’s

 

[biku324]

I recall my late uncle going into a Coast-to-Coast store in '68 or '69 and buying 10 32 ACP cartridges from an opened yellow box for his Colt pocket model. There were 8 still with the pistol when he passed in 2019.

 

[Golddollar]

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.

Where is this place? I'll have to come down and take a look in there.

 

[wood714]

When I moved to St. Augustine in 2001 there was an old hardware store. They had a lot of cool stuff you'd never find in the big name ones.

I was renting an old house in the historic district. Was wondering how many people had keys to my door, so I took the lock cylinder out of front door and took it to the old..."about my age now" dude that owned the place and he took all the little pin things out of it and rekeyed it for me. They tore his place down and put a touristy place there now.

 

[boykinlp]

My stepfather's father was a hardware man. Here is the sign from the store he owned for decades. I remember it was known for having what you couldn't find anywhere else. When everybody was switching to copper piping, he still carried the galvanized pipes of all sizes, and their fittings. I remember as a young teenager going in and picking out the needed diameter galvanized pipes, using the cutter to size them, and the threaded to thread them. He sold nails, screws, and the like by the pound. They were stored in huge bins. When it snowed, he was the only store in town that sold an actual wooden sled with metal runners. Everywhere else only sold plastic discs and the other cheap stuff. He sold Browning shotguns and rifles, some Winchester rifles, and Boker brand knives too. I remember the wood floors actually had paths worn in them from the years of being walked on.

Unfortunately, then, I didn't appreciate all things old, like I do now. I also wasn't the gun, knife, and holster guy I am now! As the old saying goes, "I wish I knew then, what I know now."
Larry

 

[NYlakesider]

When I was around 13-15 I helped out a neighbor that owned a hardware store. Learned a lot from him as he could fix just about anything and had a lot of general house knowledge.

We have a 152 year hardware store in a small town by me. It most definitely fits the description of a old fashioned hardware store. Its the type of place every time you go in it you see stuff that you missed on previous trips.

The help is very helpful and knows their stock quite well. They do not sell guns but do have some popular hunting ammo. Your looking for something they come over and with in a couple minutes go to what ever building whatever floor its on and come back with it. They have real old fashioned "stuff" there and the most modern of tools and items for sale, and a big one they know what their talking about.

You need something for your 200 year old house or to fix a nuclear reactor, they probably have it.

I had a pipe repair to do on a friends house and I needed lead wool, most people in most places did not even know what it was let alone know where to get it. Went in to the counter asked and they said yep we got it how many pounds do you want.

 

[pasound]

I've lived in Charleston, WV most of my life. We have our share of big box chains which never have anything in stock that you need. Yet, somehow, two locals have survived - Zegeer Hardware on Washington St. E, for 75 years, and F.M. Pile Hardware on Washington Street W, for over 90 years. Both still owned by the same families, three generations for the former, four generations for the latter. And both always have what I'm looking for. Neither sell guns and ammo these days, though.

 

[ZGrand]

Rutledge Hardware in Rutledge, GA (a neighboring town) has been in continuous business since 1891, and the store looks like it could still be 1891. It's a small store, crammed full of stuff, but the owner knows where everything is.

 

[snubbyfan]

Where is this place? I'll have to come down and take a look in there.

Slanesville General,inc.

 

[CH4]

We had Spinco Hardeware. It was an old school hardware store that had everything. Like many other mom & pop businesses, they succumbed to the big box stores. Very unfortunate, they were such a huge part of Americana. Our Main Street hasn’t been the same since.

 

[shovelhead]

“Little” (not so little anymore) town I lived in had a hardware store there that was one of those places you could find about anything as long as you hunted for it.

I left there in ‘79, when I returned it was a glass shop. Over the years the manager became a friend. He found a couple of old signs in the attic,one was a hand painted on cardboard advertising water softeners and a couple of tin signs for Chief Paints.

I used to fill him in on the history of the surrounding area from my memories. He gifted those signs to me, still have them.

 

[crazyphil]

Years ago we had a store here, called Orville Jackson's if I remember right.
His slogan was "I'm never just out of anything." If we needed something
and couldn't find it anywhere else, we would head for OJ's, and sure enough he would have it.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

When I first moved here I needed to unstop a drain. I went to the in town lumber yard/hardware store and asked for some drain cleaner. Was pointed to a shelf with 3 different sizes of lye-no draino no liquid plumber, etc. The guy said with shelf space at a premium they just sell the product that WORKS. Same way today. They have one version of anything you might need-you can buy it knowing that it is the best and will work. Building supplies-they'll have it on the truck out to you that afternoon or at worst the next day. Need a builder-the good ones are there at 6:30 having coffee and planning their day. If the guy you're looking for isn't there, someone will have their cell phone number. Not a bas place to shop

 

[boykinlp]

Rutledge Hardware in Rutledge, GA (a neighboring town) has been in continuous business since 1891, and the store looks like it could still be 1891. It's a small store, crammed full of stuff, but the owner knows where everything is.

That definitely has the "ole time" hardware store look. My memory is failing me some, because IIRC, there was a Georgia forum member who used to brag about a local hardware store being the best gun store for miles around. I remember him showing pictures of the inside of that place too. Maybe he will see this and speak up.
Larry

 

[wuluf]

Placerville CA hardware store, oldest hardware store in the west. Over 150 years old, family owned over the last 50.

Placerville Hardware

Sent from my SM-G981U using Tapatalk

 

[bummer]

Love the smell of the old hardware store especially the oiled nails in a barrel. Unfortunately most are gone

 

[Chubbo]

Old Hardware stores

I’ve patronized that Ackers hardware Store circa 1950s, innumerable times, to supply my electrical service truck, with outdated, and rare parts to repair old outdated electrical equipment. I’ve been in that basement room many timed, but I was also in a room on the second floor that held interesting historical memorabilia, such as empty cartons that Air guns, and firearms came in, from the supplier.

I’m sure You’ll remember the great old Columbus hardware, that used to be located in the first block, E. of High St. on Long St. They later moved into Grandview, OH.

The first old hardware that I patronized, was the Farmer's exchange Granary, circa 1936 with my dad. Where he bought our hardware. The second was Our small hometown hardware, circa1938 at 7yrs, of age, I bought boxes of .22 long cartridges, for .25 cents per box of 50 cartridges, by myself, with money that I earned.

There were many hardware stores, in Columbus, OH., and surrounding small towns. I’m afraid that I squandered a lot of time, that wasn’t mine to waste, leaving snail trails on their floors with my tongue, while exploring old hardware stores.

Old hardware stores, hold a special place in my memory as do old gun stores, book stores, blacksmith shops, antique, knife, motorcycle, car, tool shops, and museums, that cover everything historical.

Sorry about the long-winded tale, but it’s a subject near and dear to my heart. I’ll admit to being an amateur historian at heart.

Chubbo

 

[wood714]

Rutledge Hardware in Rutledge, GA (a neighboring town) has been in continuous business since 1891, and the store looks like it could still be 1891. It's a small store, crammed full of stuff, but the owner knows where everything is.

I forgot about The Hammock Hardware Store in my area. Locals keep it in business. It's on A1A north of Flagler Beach.

Looks a lot like that inside.

 

[TX-Dennis]

Weakley-Watson Hardware in Brownwood TX was founded in 1876, and is advertised as the oldest hardware store in Texas. When I was a kid it was in an old building that had been added onto several times, and the floors were wooden and uneven. It was my great grandmother's favorite place. Everytime we visited Brownwood we had to take her to Weakley-Watson. They have a more modern building these days and are an Ace affiliate now.

They also have a gunshop in a separate location.