wrenchguy
Well-known member
Made a visit there last night.
See description and all photos in link.
See description and all photos in link.
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P.H. Mueller Sons Hardware, Hammond Indiana
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Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Road trip!!
Truly awesome!PH Mueller Sons Website said:
And a fine sense of humor, to boot.PH Mueller Sons Website said:
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
So, Mike, I'm gathering that it is essentially operating as an in situ museum, of sorts. Meaning, the store and the wares are pretty much intact, but they're not actually selling anything, or at least not the vintage tools. With no way of replenishing, that would defeat the purpose. But I'm curious what they're doing for a revenue stream. Entrance fee? Selling something else? What's the story?
I don't know too much about operation. its 2 buildings side by side, west 1 is basically open mike night most evenings with a couple local performers having a actual comedy night performances during the month. revenue seems to be tips as a jar was noted.
The east building is the left alone hardware store displaying some local art for sale. He's 79 and has health issues, and stated everything is for sale. i asked what happens if it doesn't sell? he said it'll all be dozed for parking lot. theres floor to ceiling oak casework on the 2 walls with rolling ladders front to rear of building. he sells posters of some of the display cases for $40 ea. it is a neat place, poster pic below.
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Wow! The website does not give that impression. Did you buy anything? Edit: Or by "everything" did he mean lock, stock and barrel, not piecing it out?
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Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
The other way to go would be to just move in! Your ca. 1874 Westphal woodscrew carousels and the Williams "Salesman" wrench board and the etc etc etc would literally fit right in there! The gensets and all the other bigger, noisier pieces of equipment and projects would go in the back. Charge a nominal entry fee. And instead of making videos - you could do live demos. It would be a F2F vacation destination for vintage GJers!
Farmer J.
Well-known member
Let's hope that if the buildings are demolished then the interior is saved and reconstructed in a museum somewhere.
Meanwhile, I wonder if they sell posters of the display cabinets by mail order?
Meanwhile, I wonder if they sell posters of the display cabinets by mail order?
RTM
Well-known member
Not finding any working links yet that let you do that. Did find a TShirt
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Just use one of the many photomagic AI tools to remove the grey-bearded greasemonkey from the picture in post #1 and print!
ssjones
Well-known member
Fabulous!
We have a place like this in Covington, LA. H.J. Smith General Store and Museum.
They still maintain a fully stocked hardware store. Its about the only place here to get screens done.
We have a place like this in Covington, LA. H.J. Smith General Store and Museum.
They still maintain a fully stocked hardware store. Its about the only place here to get screens done.
H.J. Smith & Sons General Store and Museum
Family owned and operated since 1876, the museum houses hundreds of items from 1870 through the early 1900s, including a 20-foot-long cypress dugout boat, cast iron casket, old farming tools, a 1920s gas pump, a hand-operated wooden washing machine and much more. Admission is free; it's a...
www.visitthenorthshore.com
Farmer J.
Well-known member
If this thread is drifting to a fascinating 'show and tell' of old hardware stores, here's my local one which was established 1750. We've had a credit account there for 4 generations.. It's easy to find the hardware you want as each drawer has one item of the contents fixed to the front as a handle.
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