Our local hardware store in the center of town is even older. Has creaky wooden floors. Same family members running it for years. They support the little-league baseball league in town, etc. etc. Great for the local community.
They’ve learned to specialize to compete with the big box stores especially on garden equipment and repairs, BBQs, etc... They actually have good deals on certain things, and plus they are willing to help and tell you everything you need to know.
Since I also hate woke, big-box corporations, these local guys will get my first, and second, look anytime I’m looking to purchase.
Yeah boy, if those floorboards could talk...
I always check with Jack/Danny 1st no matter what it is that I’m looking for even if I know they don’t have it. And even if they cost more than the forklift lanes do I’m still gonna pay them before letting any of My $$$ got to jimmy-i-cheat-to-get-5-out-of-7-of-the-NUTSCAR-championships along with his buttboychad.
I’ll have to take a picture next time I’m at Jack’s of the 2nd floor railing there is a Historical Display of Hand Saws that run’s the entire width of the building.
They even have several buckets of different sizes of Real Corks for individual sale. And of course Red Ryder BB Rifles. They stopped selling Ammunition when the fedz wanted them to pay “Tax” for the “privilege” of selling it.