Old School Hardware Store

[docrowan]

I needed some plastic 1/4" sliding door track for my BT3100 mobile base. Very simple plastic extrusion. I found what I wanted in an old Rockler catalog, but it was pretty pricey. Yesterday I decided to try a couple of old school hardware stores here in Tupelo, MS. (Incidentally, one of them sold Elvis his first guitar. We're talking OLD school.) I love wandering around in those stores anyway, so I stopped in at Leake and Goodlett first and Mr. Leake asked if he could help me. I told him what I wanted and (as expected) he didn't have any. He said, wait a minute, let me see if my supplier has it. Sure enough, his supplier had it and he had a truck run coming from them on Monday. I pulled my wallet out and braced for impact - I figured I was going to get skinned. Only $7.28 including tax! I was delighted. I went back and checked the Rockler website for the identical item. Almost $24.00 including shipping.

You can bet Mr. Leake will continue to get business from me.

[Shep]

I love shops like like. If they don't have what you want they usually can find if for you. Plus you get in and out without have to walk 2+ miles from the parking lot, like you do when you're at the BORG.

[schloff]

I hate how the box stores promise you the lowest price on anything. I get better deals on better products at my local stores.

Especially the "old timey" store.

Where you can only buy your hardware in bulk, and the old man behind the counter has the same apron from 1950.

I wish more folks would try the old man in their neighborhood before they drove to the blue or orange store.

[cabinetman]

There are a few of the mom/pop hardware/lumber stores still open in my area. Some are "family owned" stores that have been in the same place for decades. A lot less "junk", and the help knows their products.
.

[eezlock]

old school hardware store

Yep, they are the best...can't be beat! I have one about 1 &1/2 miles from my house, go there all the time. I would rather buy from them, than have to drive
6 or 8 miles to a borg for the same thing . I support, and will continue to do so
the small independent hardware stores as long as they are in business. They are like the backbone of our society, when they are gone,the end isn't too
far away for the rest of us! They usually have fasteners that are almost impossible to find at the borg....and in quantities that I want! 'Nuff said here!

[Uncle Cracker]

We have a Mom-n-Pop hardware store nearby. For the longest time, they had practically every odd and end you could imagine. About 4 years ago, the old guy who owned it decided to retire, and he sold the place to Ace Hardware. I thought that would be it, but to my surprise, they expanded the floor space, got even more oddball stuff, and even hired some more very knowledgeable folks to help you sort it all out... I was shocked...

[Salty]

You guys are trying to bring a tear to my eye aren't you.
I worked at one of those old hardware stores for over 10 years.
Hated to leave but the old man let the son take over and I could not stay.
I have a lot of good memories of that place. It was about 5 of the old long 5-and-dime sections with wood floors and dark basements. The walls were taken out to open them up. We had everything you could think of and lots you couldn't.
I can still remember the original Rockwell and Delta floor tools.
OOPS, now I'm showing my age!
Salty

[phrog]

I can still remember the original Rockwell and Delta floor tools.
OOPS, now I'm showing my age!
Salty

What's a Rockwell floor tool?

[leehljp]

I will have to make a trip there just to go to a hardware store like that! I have a feeling I will be over in that area quite a bit when I return to N. MS. Just find a good coffee place!

[Salty]

What's a Rockwell floor tool?

A really old reference to stationary tools.

[docrowan]

I will have to make a trip there just to go to a hardware store like that! I have a feeling I will be over in that area quite a bit when I return to N. MS. Just find a good coffee place!

I hear The Coffee Addict in New Albany is good. We could use some stimulus to our economy. Japanese money won't buy you anything there, though.

[Pappy]

What's a Rockwell floor tool?

This would be one example....(And I gave up a HF 6" for this)



Last time I was home I stopped at Central Seed and Feed Store. The same man has owned it for 60+ years and says he will stay open as long as he can get to the store. Not the operation it once was but he still has a lot of odd stuff. Keeps most of the lights off now to save on electricity.

We had a long conversation about days gone by when he raised hogs out back and the barns were stacked full of hay bales. He had a good laugh when I told him I had my first 'experience' in one of his barns. Sutherland Lumber is old school and there are still a few around.

[gsmittle]

We have a Mom-n-Pop hardware store nearby. For the longest time, they had practically every odd and end you could imagine. About 4 years ago, the old guy who owned it decided to retire, and he sold the place to Ace Hardware. I thought that would be it, but to my surprise, they expanded the floor space, got even more oddball stuff, and even hired some more very knowledgeable folks to help you sort it all out... I was shocked...

UC, are you SURE it was an Ace? This just ain't right, a chain store with knowlegable help!

There's a mom-n-pop just about a half mile from my house. It's pretty small, but they can get anything I need if I'm willing to wait a week. No lumber, but plenty of bolts, nuts, and screws.

g.

[Uncle Cracker]

UC, are you SURE it was an Ace? This just ain't right, a chain store with knowlegable help!

Yup... That's why I was shocked...

[BobSch]

UC, are you SURE it was an Ace? This just ain't right, a chain store with knowlegable help!

There are two Ace Hardware Stores close to me and they both have some knowledgeable help. I say some because the help seems to be either high school kids or guys 60+.