The Local Hardware Store

[fillister]

If your in the Phoenix metro area, Mcfadden Dale industrial hardware is the true hardware store of the old days, fair prices on quality fastener hardware and quality help, plan some extra time to just look around. https://mcfadaz.com/

 

[willy3486]

We have quite a few of those types of hardware stores close to me. I was in one last week looking for a nut for a wheel on my dolly. There was one also in the town I live in that got bought out. After it was sold it laid off all the folks who knew about hardware. Then they hired a bunch of younger guys that looked liked they were just out of high school.

I went in one day and I knew I was going to be in trouble there when I heard a couple of them talking about how they were going to leave and make the big bucks somewhere else. When one of the young geniuses came over I asked something like where they had the wingnuts. He looked at me like I was speaking some ancient Tibetan language created by female aliens from some distant planet that were going through some kind of existential crisis. After that I never went back to that one.

In my area they are still around but you do have to look for a good one. Most of the time they are Ace connected stores. That one reason when I set up our shop I made it look like a old store. I really miss the old mom and pop places, there use to be a lot of hardware ,car parts, lumberyards and similar. Sadly most are gone and we are stuck with big box stores that manage to be many times larger and has less of what I really need than the smaller mom and pop stores had.

 

[paulsomlo]

Been a few years since I've been in McGuckin's, but yes, it is all you say it is - not the place to visit on a full paycheck.

By the way, I was in Boulder over Labor Day weekend, had some really good chicken tikka masala at Mt. Everest (if Indian food's your thing); it's off Baseline just west of Foothills.

 

[Chaznsc]

Jordan Hardware:
i Still remember Mr Jordan. Never in a hurry, and knew everything. Nails by the pound, paint by the gallon, and smiles were guaranteed.

 

[Skyman]

There's an Ace franchise about twenty minutes away from me, and it's decent but not great. I'd rate it a 7 on a scale of 10. Of course, that contrasts very favorably with either the orange or blue places, which I detest and try to avoid. But, I really miss the old-school stores such as described above. There used to be so many of them around, and so few remain. The blue and orange have nearly wiped them out.

 

[senlow]

I'm pleased that you have discovered McGuckin. It's one of Boulder's shining stars. I haven't been there for a few years. It's about 35 minutes away from me.

 

[Grant Gunderson]

Hardware sales in Bellingham is the king of independent hardware stores. Walking in there is like walking through the McMaster catalog. Need any bolt thread you an imagine it’s in stock and you can buy it by the piece. They also cater to local loggers and oil refineries so need a 3” spanned wrench or a 5” socket they got it. 4’ monkey wrench yep. 1” wire rope and in house crimping yep. It’s almost 4 city blocks of retail space squared and that not counting their warehouse storage.
The photo above is just one of like 4 hardware isles alone.

 

[Chipm]

McGuckin is now on my list of places to visit. I grew up shopping at the Handy Ace in Tucker, Georgia. It was a great hardware store. Now, there is a pretty good Ace in my area.

 

[M.Brane]

We not only have an independent hardware store, but an auto parts/machine shop as well in our little town. They are directly across the street from one another. There is also an Ace franchise that is pretty good too, but it's on the other side of town.

When I lived in the SFV back in the late 80s there was Roscoe Hardware in Sun Valley. That place was huge, and had everything you could possibly imagine possibly more. It is long gone now.

 

[LopezBart]

Hardware sales in Bellingham is the king of independent hardware stores. Walking in there is like walking through the McMaster catalog. Need any bolt thread you an imagine it’s in stock and you can buy it by the piece. They also cater to local loggers and oil refineries so need a 3” spanned wrench or a 5” socket they got it. 4’ monkey wrench yep. 1” wire rope and in house crimping yep. It’s almost 4 city blocks of retail space squared and that not counting their warehouse storage.
The photo above is just one of like 4 hardware isles alone.

This is by far the best physical hardware store I've seen. It's excellent.

 

[WildBill]

I have this place near me in Spokane WA where you can buy anything from a Holley carb to Pokémon cards. Guns, ammo, clothing, lawnmowers, nuts, bolts, copper plumbing parts, car parts including lots of hot rod stuff, pretty much anything. Not as cool of a hardware store as McGuckin, but still pretty neat.

The General Store Spokane

The General Store is your one-stop shop for everything from Ace Hardware, automotive essentials, fishing and hunting gear, clothing & Carhartt, trading cards, LEGO® and more. All in one place!

generalstorespokane.com

 

[NightSky]

I have this place near me in Spokane WA where you can buy anything from a Holley carb to Pokémon cards. Guns, ammo, clothing, lawnmowers, nuts, bolts, copper plumbing parts, car parts including lots of hot rod stuff, pretty much anything. Not as cool of a hardware store as McGuckin, but still pretty neat.

The General Store Spokane

The General Store is your one-stop shop for everything from Ace Hardware, automotive essentials, fishing and hunting gear, clothing & Carhartt, trading cards, LEGO® and more. All in one place!

generalstorespokane.com

Does this piece of their web page tell you everything you need to know about the place?


Warren Zevon wrote, "Send Legos, guns and money..." This must be the place.

 

[WildBill]

Does this piece of their web page tell you everything you need to know about the place?


Warren Zevon wrote, "Send Legos, guns and money..." This must be the place.

Pretty much, but its missing the crazy speed-shop like auto section, reduced greatly over the last couple years but still haven't seen anything like it since the 80s. First time I walked in the store I saw two guys messing with a 6-71 looking blower sitting on the counter.

Auto Hard Parts

The General Store is your one-stop shop for everything from Ace Hardware, automotive essentials, fishing and hunting gear, clothing & Carhartt, trading cards, LEGO® and more. All in one place!

generalstorespokane.com

 

[Higgy1300]

my local Ace hardware is awesome, i have been going there over 33 years, George the owner has helped me with project and parts. one time we rebuilt the ice caddy wheels in his back shop. i even met Geoff Bodine there once!!

 

[stanleyoutdoors]

Yep- McGuckin rules.
I went in with a project needing a bunch of weird stuff. I explained what I was trying to build and the guy walked me all over the store to get everything I needed. Freakin awesome.

 

[caleb383]

Continue reading...

Spot-on description of big-box hardware stores feeling like fluorescent hellscapes staffed by people terrified of questions. Finding a proper local independent hardware store is always a breath of fresh air.

 

[thomfr]

My local (Panningen (Netherlands) is Reijnen. Panningen Now in the 3th generation offering hardware, (power)tools, garden tools, electric supplies and (pedal) bikes including race bikes. The new generation modernized the look outside and inside a bit but they still offer the perfect service and for most products 2 qualities (good quality or professional). Love them and use them whenever possible.
Some impressions from their (lovely slightly outdated ) website:

 

[oldpliers1]

Here in Australia I have a really good old school hardware been operating over 100 years at Paddington, you can buy so much quality stuff including arch hardware and anything the big barn style stores don’t have and excellent service