My preferred hardware store is a family owned store in business at its current location for over 100 years.
I love it, it also deals in antique tools, boots and cloths.
Most anything I need for a project (other than electronics or lumber) I can find there.
Same, plus he also owns the entire plaza including the Benjamin Moore paint store and the Ariens, Toro, Exmark dealership. Plus, he lives a couple miles up the road from me.
What is the best is that when you go in there he has long time employees that actually HELP you find/buy what you are looking for.
The only time I stop at Home Depot of Lowes is because it is after work and they are on the right hand side on the way home. Plus, I tend to know where everything is. I also know more about fixing/construction/building than most of their employees.