Saturday, January 19, 2013

Trailer Trad Institution: The Neighborhood Hardware Store

The neighborhood hardware store along with the barbershop and traditional men's clothing store are bastions of traditional men's culture. The best of these have deep roots in their communities and reflect steadfast commitment to offering the highest quality goods and services to their loyal customers.
Clarke Hardware store in my Virginia hometown is an excellent example of this. There once were three competing hardware stores on the corner where Clarke resides but now Clarke is the lone holdout. Happily, it seems to do well offering pretty much what it has always offered with a few nods to modernity. However, like most great examples, it neither is a fossized time capsule offering poor service and dusty merchandise nor an overly nostalgic version peddling in ironic, hipster Americana.  
When's the last time that you found a West Bend coffee maker section at Target?
The neighborhood hardware store satisfies a need in the community. People in an area like my home town continue to buy things like canning supplies and seed spreaders. They often live in older homes and use older tools and equipment which are things that you can actually repair instead of throw away and replace. A self-reliant sort, rural men often try to make these repairs themselves and so must go buy the necessary supplies. A hardware store like Clarke's often is staffed with knowledgable, approachable people (perhaps the owner) who have fielded every question imagionable and will steer customers to the right item or order it if they don't have it. It's surprising how often tradesmen will also go to the neighborhood source instead of the big box stores for this reason. They know and have dealt with the owner for many years and often have built a trusted relationship between vendor and customer. -Increasingly rare today.
 This dependence on long term customer relationships often results in expert knowledge of their product lines. They know what customers need, season in, season out. For this reason, they don't load up on rivers of seasonal merchandise of dubious quality only to deeply discount it later (although they've been known to have plenty of Flexible Flyer sleds and Red Ryder BB guns at Christmas!). For this reason, the neighborhood hardware store rarely puts items on sale. However, some stock stays on the shelves for so long that inflation creates its own discount.
 
Although the owner is not named Clarke, he has been the owner for as long as I can remember and pretty much looks the same too. One of his daughters and Stretch (my brother) were sweethearts for a while in highschool. Gayhearts Drugstore, Knackel's Bakery, Baby Jim's Snack Bar and Clarke Hardware served as anchors bridging the past to the present. Some are here. Some are gone. Other great businesses like It's About Thyme have stepped in to maintain and build on the character of my hometown downtown.





22 comments:

Red Hook Hipster said...

Does this place carry beard oil?

The Traditionalist said...

Great post -- bravo for the old fashioned hardware store. We could use a LOT more of these!

Rin Tin Tin said...

Now that is my kind of place...and my kind of post, Mr. Trad! I shop at a hardware store that still keeps its bulk nails in wooden bins and employs young kids who will spend twenty minutes helping you find the right ten-cent nut or bolt. Bob, the owner, will happily discuss the merits of Estwing hammers or Channellock pliers - he prefers to sell American made products - and also point you to the best auto repair shop, diner, or butcher (that's right, butcher). Bob's got a banner with two stars on it in the window - one for each of his sons proudly serving in the Marine Corps - and a huge stack of paper bags (not plastic nor any of that "save a tree and buy this reusable shopping bag" nonsense) next to the well-worn hunter green counter and non-electric cash register. They'll also cut keys while you wait - seventy five cents apiece.

Arcade Fire's Hair Stylist said...

I bet you this place doesn't carry Dyson or anything made by Samsung. Might be a little too butch for Bushwick.

Delta Spirit Road Crew said...

Arcade Fire's Hair Stylist wouldn't last two minutes in Bushwick...or one minute at a bar in Milledgeville.

Rin Tin Tin said...

Why did you remove your responsive post and then choose not to publish my subsequent comment altogether? Too much sensorship is not good for blogging.

Green Mallard said...

Does this place carry any Duck Dynasty products? I need to pick up a new Commander duck call for an upcoming hunting trip.

Trailer Trad said...

Mr. Tin,

Please take no offense. I didn't feel comfortable with my Dyson joke so I yanked the whole thing. Without it, your comment would have been without context so I yanked it too.

Please keep'em coming because your comments are always appreciated!

Mr. Mallard,

Strangely, Clarke Hardware carries no sporting goods of any kind (besides Radio Flyer wagons, Flexible Flyer sleds, etc.). Just hardware.

Rin Tin Tin said...

Thank you for clearing that up, Mr. Trad. In truth, I only felt aggrieved because I thought my latter comment was especially witty. Oh, well, the likes Russian Trader, the Dandy and Buford families, and a bunch of Brooklyn hipsters will have to wait until my next moment of brilliance.

In the interim, Mr. Mallard should check out Cabelas.com or simply put his lips together and blow.

Russian Trader said...

Someday I would like to own a small retail establishment like this. Maybe in Ukraine or Romania or Crozet....

TrueSouth said...

For a blog based in the south, this blog sure has a lot of Yankee hipsters that comment.

A Train to BK said...

Does this place sell Red Wing boots and/or Dickies khakis by mail order?

Roaree said...

I'm considering purchasing a a pair of these:

http://www.brooksbrothers.com/JP-Crickets-Columbia-University-Shoes/MH00298,default,pd.html?dwvar_MH00298_Color=BLCK&contentpos=10&cgid=men-new-arrivals

What do you think?

#1 Eljo's Fan said...

Ah, Crozet, the Siberia of Virginia.

BTW, Mr. Russian Trader, your custom-tailored, five button, paisley-lined, red corduroy suit is ready for pick up. You're right, the hacking pockets work well.

Trailer Trad said...

Mr. South,

I can't seem to shake 'em! :)

Train to BK,

Forget Red Wing and Dickies, how about these?
http://www.russellmoccasin.com/
http://www.pointerbrand.com/

Roaree,

I can't lie. -Not a big fan of the velvet slipper with fox,crest,dog, tennis racquets, etc.

If I recall, this guy used to like them
http://maxminimus.blogspot.com/

#1 Eljos Fan,

It may sadden you to learn that the Raleigh equivalent to Eljos, Varsity Menswear, is going out of business because the owner is retiring.

-Get out there and grab the good stuff while you are still able guys!

The Ghost of Felix Rohatyn said...

Do you fellas remember when Eljos used to serve food? Big platter of shrimp cocktail and finger sandwiches right out there next to the braces and pocket squares. Might have been before your time.

#1 Eljo's Fan said...

Um, I'm pretty sure Eljos never had a raw bar - though it's not a bad idea.

Roaree said...

Damn, just purchased 2 pairs!

The Curious Cavalier said...

Do they make those velvet slippers in orange?

Russian Trader said...

Do they make these slippers for the владивосток Welding Academy?

Trailer Trad said...

Mr. Cavalier,

Wear orange slippers out in the country away from Charlottesville and people will either beat you or think that you have invented comfy blaze orange HUNTING SLIPPERS and kiss you on the lips.

Russian Trader,

You went to владивосток Welding Academy? We HATE you guys. I went to Университет Украины school of kibbutz management! Double majored in tractor repair. Our basketball team will crush yours at big February Madness Tournament to be held in beautiful с. Сибирь

The Duck Commander said...

If they made those slippers in 3D camo, I'd wear 'em in the blind.