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Old hardware stores
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shovelhead
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"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.
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.
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.
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
Member
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
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
Placerville CA hardware store, oldest hardware store in the west. Over 150 years old, family owned over the last 50.
Placerville Hardware
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Placerville Hardware
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Chubbo
Member
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
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
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.
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.
They also have a gunshop in a separate location.
I forgot to post a picture that ties my grandfather's hardware store, as well as all other older hardware stores, to this forum really well. Of course, a couple of the things he sold were ammunition and dynamite. And as we know, many years ago, both of those items were shipped to the hardware store in wooden crates. Here is my collection. The BB, Winchester, Western, and the dynamite crates all came from his store. The Remington and Peter's crates were bought by me later. I have always thought that they were extremely cool, and very collectible.
Larry
Larry
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There was a very good article about an old hardware store in the NYT's the other day. Someone sent it to me.
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My dad retired from old Hardware store in Memphis 1990 , Built sometime 1920's the original side still had hardwood floors and shelving heavy wood counters and iron safe in the office. Nails were in rotary bins and sold by the pound ,chain , rope and linoleum flooring cut to length . Keys were hand cut and remember CASE knives display maybe Uncle Henry. The upstairs was the warehouse and connecting building walls were opened up was furniture show room . When I was little they had dark green and black 1940's Studebaker stake bed and it was relaced with new 1970 Big Red Dodge stake bed dually with a lift .The dock was in very narrow alley behind the store the store with maybe an inch clearance with truck mirrors. Store was in the middle of the riots after MFK assassination remember dad coming home and set 12ga pump loaded with buckshot by front door.
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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
Bo Barrow's in Butler, Georgia.
The store is Barrow Automotive and Hardware. He is a NAPA store.
EDIT: I have to add this tale...
We were searching eighteen wheelers one morning, about 40 miles east of Butler (long story). We swung open the doors on a 53 foot trailer. All you could see was wall-to-wall, green Remington long-gun boxes. Pallet after pallet. The rig was plum full.
"Where you headed?" I asked the driver.
"Bo Barrow's" was all he said.
Bo sells a lot of guns.
.....
I believe one of our members is friends with Mr. Bo.
Redlevel, you out there?
.
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johnjohn
Member
We had a family owned hardware store in the small town I grew up in. They "modernized" and built a new store in the same location without shutting down. In 1953 they held a "grand opening". I guess about 2 years ago my bil called and said get your affairs in order, "J B Sandoz is going out of business". And they did. A sad day.
Back in the early 50s our neighborhood had a very small shopping center that included Sanders Hardware Store. It was a locally owned store that had just about everything. One day my pet dog and I were in there, and I bumped into my future wife. My dog was a chick magnet for me, and we had a really nice chance meeting - nothing like a Dachshund to develop a relationship.
That store was a neighborhood gathering place because almost everybody shopped there regularly.
My wife and I both remember the incident; it stuck in our minds. I think the fact that she and I both love dogs was a things-in-common bond that is still true today. I was then in the process of falling in love with her...
John
That store was a neighborhood gathering place because almost everybody shopped there regularly.
My wife and I both remember the incident; it stuck in our minds. I think the fact that she and I both love dogs was a things-in-common bond that is still true today. I was then in the process of falling in love with her...
John
About 40yrs ago the HWS in our village sold to True Value. They had a sale and then an auction before takeover. I was personnel friends with owners.
I got the ammo and most related items before sale. Just in last year the True Value has went belly up. They had auction couple weeks ago.
Village was hub of farm activity. Had Feed Mill, 4 Grocery stores, 3 gas stations and a General store.
Now we have a Stop/ Go type store with gas and a air machine. A new Dollar Store & a Bank. No bank when the village was prosperous. It won't be many years until the only town left in county is the county seat. And even over there the franchises have taken over the HWDs. They do have a nice selection of Bird Houses.
I got the ammo and most related items before sale. Just in last year the True Value has went belly up. They had auction couple weeks ago.
Village was hub of farm activity. Had Feed Mill, 4 Grocery stores, 3 gas stations and a General store.
Now we have a Stop/ Go type store with gas and a air machine. A new Dollar Store & a Bank. No bank when the village was prosperous. It won't be many years until the only town left in county is the county seat. And even over there the franchises have taken over the HWDs. They do have a nice selection of Bird Houses.
Murray's in Honesdale was a true hardware store and more.
BITD Wayne County was a huge dairy farm area. Murray's sold the milking equipment and refrigeration systems.
Plus they sold home heating systems.
Most of the plumbing and heating guys hot their start at Murray's. Most if not all are passed away now.
Almost all the dairy farms are gone.
And so is Murray's.
PS - they had a great toy selection at Christmastime. Great memories.
BITD Wayne County was a huge dairy farm area. Murray's sold the milking equipment and refrigeration systems.
Plus they sold home heating systems.
Most of the plumbing and heating guys hot their start at Murray's. Most if not all are passed away now.
Almost all the dairy farms are gone.
And so is Murray's.
PS - they had a great toy selection at Christmastime. Great memories.
My parents (90 and 87) live in a dying farm town in Iowa. The stores left; shops left, all since the 80s. Even the Post Office left. There's a convenience store and a bank branch left. Median age is likely mid-to-late 70s.
Also, the times we were in Gettysburg, there w as a hardware store that sold guns, clothing, and Boy Scouts stuff (uniforms, model cars etc).
When we go visit my sister in the fall I'll have to see if it's still there.
I'm sure Golddollar knows which place I'm talking about.
When we go visit my sister in the fall I'll have to see if it's still there.
I'm sure Golddollar knows which place I'm talking about.
Gettysburg is a tourist trap, they survive from that alone. In Ohio we have what is known as Amish Country, up north around Sugar Creek. Another tourist destination. Bus loads arrive there everyday. Buying Amish jellies, jams and pickles——processed in NY City.
Bo Barrow's in Butler, Georgia.
The store is Barrow Automotive and Hardware. He is a NAPA store.
EDIT: I have to add this tale...
We were searching eighteen wheelers one morning, about 40 miles east of Butler (long story). We swung open the doors on a 53 foot trailer. All you could see was wall-to-wall, green Remington long-gun boxes. Pallet after pallet. The rig was plum full.
"Where you headed?" I asked the driver.
"Bo Barrow's" was all he said.
Bo sells a lot of guns.
.....
I believe one of our members is friends with Mr. Bo.
Redlevel, you out there?
.
WR, you are correct, and I am sure it was Redlevel who posted about it. That was the place. I was thinking more hardware, and not automotive. Being automotive and selling that many guns is probably stranger than a hardware store doing it. I remember him saying folks came from quite a ways to buy there.
Larry
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The Mast general Store in Valle Crucis, N.C. used to be a real ole time store. Remember going in in 50's-60's, took wife there on honeymoon, took our kids there and grandkids there. Had just about anything one needed. Since yuppies took over only go to look at building, inside is trousit trap with high priced shoes ect. Used to have many barrels of candy, scoop what you wanted in bags and pay by weight….
OP
We used to have a pretty good True Value right in town. Spent much of my time and money there. Things like pocket knives, .22 ammo, machetes (for trailblazing and swordplay), Vet syringes and surgical tubing to make homemade squirt guns and, occasionally, something I needed.
Now it's a craft brewery or something.
Now it's a craft brewery or something.
That's got to be Redding Hardware. It's still in business and usually has an unbelieveable inventory of guns.
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Back where I grew up there was a small family owned and run hardware store/ gun shop. Bought my first gun there, Walther PPKs, son has it now. Owner was WWII USMC tanker. We talked about guns, shooting and other things. I was/ am military history person and tried to get him to talk about WWII. He would only say he was tank commander on Iwo, nothing else. He would clam up and change subject so I quit talking WWII to him. He's since long gone, sons took over, one son also passed and don't know situation but really miss the place.
We had a hardware store very similar to all of the above. It changed hands a few times, every time it went downhill further till finally it went under!!In its prime it had everything you wanted. Fire dept. said if it ever caught fire they wouldnt send men in as aisles were to small to navigate. Really miss the old place!
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