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I also remember 3 hardware stores: Hardware Fair (which was not mom and
pop as far as I was aware) next to the Boulevard Theater, Hoover's on
the 3100 or 3200 block of Greenmount (and Mr. Hoover could come to ones
house to repair an old lock), and Boulevard Hardware on 31st or 32nd
just west of Greenmount. Hoover's closed (its owners were elderly and
probably did not have kids who wanted to take over the business), and
two men who had just recently bought Boulevard from its previous owner
then bought Hardware Fair, closed the other store, and opened as
Boulevard Hardware Fair where Hardware Fair had been. Hechingers, a
regional chain which had opened a store in Northwood where Hecht
Company had been, closed according to the Sun if I recall correctly
because of poor management and inability to compete with Home Depot on
prices (Lowe's came to Maryland much more recently). So now we have
Home Depot and Lowe's in suburbia and a few small local hardware stores.<br>
<br>
But the small hardware stores can compete despite higher prices because
we can walk to them (especially good for those of us without cars) and
because they universally give better service than Home Depot or
Lowe's. While I will be glad during daylight hours to patronize a
store where Blockbuster was (and the murder occurred at night when
people with sense would not go there), I agree with Judy that it would
be far better if a hardware store were located in the JHU-owned
building at 31st and Charles; we do not need another 7-11.<br>
<br>
Another great location, if it can be gotten, would be the old Uncle
Lee's Restaurant across Greenmount from where Boulevard Hardware Fair
was. As I am sure that Gina knows, the City has definitely been
interested in trying to get an Ace Hardware there and has been trying
to pressure the owner of Uncle Lee's to sell the property if he is not
going to put it to use.<br>
<br>
So I encourage Gina to open an Ace Hardware at any one of the locations
mentioned. We definitely need a hardware store in the neighborhood.
We really need to get a collection of good stores and restaurants on
and near Greenmount (i.e. at locations such as the old post office
where Blockbuster was and on the 3300 block of Greenmount where Uncle
Lee's was) that will attract neighborhood and outside people in
sufficient numbers so that the entire area will no longer seem so seedy
and feel so unsafe that people do not want to go there. Her store can
help a lot at either Waverly Main Street location, and her store at
Charles and 31st can keep that area from going downhill.<br>
<br>
Years ago, I was told by someone in the hardware business (it might
have been one of the owners of Boulevard Hardware Fair) that the
hardware business is counter-cyclical because people who are un or
under employed like to fix up their homes during their spare time. So
despite the economic mess, this may be an excellent time to open a
hardware store. Good luck to Gina!<br>
<br>
BTW, when I need hardware now, I take the 8 and 9 buses to Lowe's. So
despite the fact that Lowe's is cheaper than Ace will be, I certainly
would find it preferable to use an Ace Hardware in the neighborhood.<br>
<br>
Steve.<br>
<br>
JUDY BERLIN wrote:
<blockquote cite="mid:4e343910ec5a0922ddb96bca9f566aec@verizon.net"
type="cite">
<pre wrap="">I remember 3 mom and pop hardware stores on Greenmount Av. Love to see
another one in the neighborhood, but not at the expense of someone's
safety. That location is isolated, thanks in part to the poor design of
Giant. Let's not forget that the store manager of the blockbuster was
murdered inside his store. Another 7-11 is not needed at 31st &
Charles. A hardware store is.There are 2 empty spaces at 31st& Chas.
Judy Berlin
On Jan 9, 2009, at 11:14 AM, Kathleen Hruska wrote:
</pre>
<blockquote type="cite">
<pre wrap="">Hi Gina,
I also use the Home Depot, and Falkenhan's in Hampden. But to have a
hardware/garden supply store within walking distance... Heaven! I
would also love to see a thriving business in that beautiful old
building.
Thanks!
Kathleen
P.S. Hint: I bought a rotary push lawn mower from an Ace Hardware
store a few years back. I bet they'd be popular with our green-minded
neighbors with small backyards...!
On Thursday, January 08, 2009, at 10:25PM, "David Kinzer"
<a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:davidkinzer@gmail.com"><davidkinzer@gmail.com></a> wrote:
</pre>
<blockquote type="cite">
<pre wrap="">Hi Gina,
I agree with Brad. It would be great to have you in the
neighborhood. I
know that many of the homeowners on my block are always renovating or
updating their homes to some extent. I certainly have a long list of
intended renovations and upgrades. Like Brad, I currently shop at
the Home
Depot on Perring Parkway but would gladly switch to a local business.
Best,
David
2009/1/8 Schlegel, William B CW4 RES USAR USARC <
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:william.schlegel@us.army.mil">william.schlegel@us.army.mil</a>>
</pre>
<blockquote type="cite">
<pre wrap=""> Gina,
It has been over 15 years since a community-based hardware store has
been
in the Greater Waverly area. I encourage you to pursue this
opportunity and
hope you will hear from other members of the community, as well.
Have you
been in touch with the Waverly Main Street Coordinator, Laura
Kindseth?
I shop at the Home Depot on Perring Pkwy and get plants at the
Waverly
Farmer's market and another small nursery on Walther Blvd - Walther
Gardens. there are a few small hardware stores in Hampden, but none
left on
Greenmount Avenue, where there had been two as recently as 1993.
Please Reply To All My E-Mail Addresses !
Sincerely,
W. Brad Schlegel
Block Captain - EGLSCA
1552 Oakridge Road
Baltimore, MD 21218-2228
410-467-1933 - H
410-962-9506 - W and Voice Mail
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:william.schlegel@us.army.mil">william.schlegel@us.army.mil</a>, <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:brad.schlegel@irs.gov">brad.schlegel@irs.gov</a>,
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:Schlegelw@mi.army.mil">Schlegelw@mi.army.mil</a>
----- Original Message -----
*From:* Efa Ahmed-Williams <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:shadesofbeauty2002@YAHOO.COM"><shadesofbeauty2002@YAHOO.COM></a>
*To:* <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:EDNORGARDENSLAKESIDE21218@I-NEIGHBORS.ORG">EDNORGARDENSLAKESIDE21218@I-NEIGHBORS.ORG</a>
*Sent:* Thursday, January 08, 2009 10:19 PM
*Subject:* Re: [I-NEIGHBORS] Your Feedback Is Sought Regarding
Opening A
Local Hardware Store
If prices are good (competitive with larger chain stores) and you
have a
variety of items including flowers and gardening supplies the store
would be
a good addition to our neighborhood.
*Peace,*
*Efa*
--- On *Wed, 1/7/09, JOSEPH STEWART <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:Jstewart@DAT.STATE.MD.US"><Jstewart@DAT.STATE.MD.US></a>*
wrote:
From: JOSEPH STEWART <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:Jstewart@DAT.STATE.MD.US"><Jstewart@DAT.STATE.MD.US></a>
Subject: Your Feedback Is Sought Regarding Opening A Local Hardware
Store
To: <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:EDNORGARDENSLAKESIDE21218@I-NEIGHBORS.ORG">EDNORGARDENSLAKESIDE21218@I-NEIGHBORS.ORG</a>
Date: Wednesday, January 7, 2009, 1:34 PM
Dear Community members,
Hello. My name is Gina Schaefer and along with my husband, Marc
Friedman, and associate, John Elliot, own Federal Hill Ace Hardware
on
Light Street. We opened that location almost two years ago and love
being in the Federal Hill community.
We have been presented with the opportunity to open a second location
in Waverly in the old Post Office (Blockbuster) space and are
interested
in getting some feedback from you.
You can read more about us by visiting <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.acehardwareDC.com">www.acehardwareDC.com</a> but I
will
also give you a few tidbits of information.
We are members of the Ace Hardware co-operative which makes us
independently owned and operated yet gives us a larger buying group
to
work within. We currently own five stores and try very hard to
become a
destination location in each of those neighborhoods. We carry more
than 20,000 items and have access to many, many more. We divide our
stores into the following departments; lawn & garden, paint &
cleaning,
electrical, plumbing, housewares, and hardware. We love to adapt our
products to our neighborhoods' needs and will bring in almost any
items
that are requested by our customers.
As we continue to do the research necessary to determine if this
location is a good fit for us, we welcome any comments (both positive
and negative) that you might have.
I'm curious where everyone currently shops for their hardware and
housewares items? Where are you buying things like plant pots,
mulch,
etc. Do you think the neighborhood would enjoy having a community
hardware store? Are there still enough renovations going on to
sustain
a large store?
Please feel free to email me at . I look
forward
to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Gina Schaefer
Owner of a "few cool hardware stores"
202-682-4517 (work)
202-246-3450 (cell)
Now you can shop our stores on-line! Visit <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="http://www.acehardwaredc.com">www.acehardwaredc.com</a>
You're not a clone, why shop at one?
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