The old hardware store downtown finally closed its doors

Went by Main Street Hardware yesterday and saw they'd been replaced by a vape shop... been going there since I was a kid buying nails for tree forts with my dad. Mr. Chen always remembered what hinge you needed even if you couldn't describe it right. The new place has everything in plastic bins and the kid at the counter didn't know what a miter box was. Anyone else got a local spot that just quietly disappeared on you?

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the_val3mo ago

Huh, never thought about tracking down the old guys like that but @piper_green makes a solid point. I used to just grumble about what was lost but now I'm thinking I should actually ask around about Mr. Chen.

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piper_green3mo ago

Go to the nearest lumberyard or building supply place that's been around for more than 20 years. Ask them if they know where Mr. Chen ended up. Those old school hardware guys usually go work somewhere else or help out a friend's shop. I tracked down the guy who ran our local auto parts store for 30 years by just asking the post office clerk where he'd gone. Turns out he was doing repairs out of his garage and still had all the weird bolts I needed. You might be able to find Mr. Chen at a smaller shop nearby or even through word of mouth if you ask enough people. Those plastic bin vape shops wont have anyone who can tell you the difference between a number 8 and a number 10 screw anyway.

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