[RGSpincich]

This is pretty big news in Northern California, at least in my circles. I talked to a number of the employees at the San Pablo Yardbirds store and they are optimistic. Better benefits, more vacation time, higher wages. It's hard for me to be dissapointed if the employees are treated right but I am. Yardbirds will remain open but under HD control. In the very near future I expect service will decline and prices will be up. Remodeling Contractors in Northern California will be in mourning as Home Depot and Lowes squeeze out the remaining competition.

[martin_fierro]

Wonder how long before OSH makes a deal with Lowe's.

[frankjr]

[CheyennePress]

Yardbirds... I like that name. I wouldn't mind doing my home improvement shopping at a Yardbirds...

[Paleo Conservative]

[trustandobey]

They should keep the name Yardbirds, it doesn't bring the negative thoughts Home Depot does. Home Depot has despicable customer service, if you don't already know!

[LRS]

Workers were informed of the changes during two-hour-long meetings held at each store Wednesday evening.

"Over, under, sideways, down..."

[Michael.SF.]

I doubt it if there is such optimism across the strait. The Vallejo Yardbirds is a dump and is only about 1.5 miles from the HD.

I would suspect that the Yardbirds will close down.

[Mr. Jeeves]

The San Rafael store, at least, is way too small to convert to a Home Depot - and San Rafael forced Home Depot to build their current store way out by the bay so it wouldn't put the smaller downtown hardware stores out of business. That one will likely be closed, and maybe the employees will be transferred over to the existing San Rafael Home Depot,

[commonasdirt]

Last week I headed out to get something to use against pocket gophers in my yard. i drove past the local Home Depot and went to True Value instead. As I told the guy there. "I almost went to home Depot until I realized that none of the pimply faced teenage louts working there would be able to give me any advice on the problem."

[Wally_Kalbacken]

About 25 years ago I spent most of one fall helping my uncle remodel an old shack he bought in Jenner. We used to go to a place called Grossman's (IIRC) in Santa Rosa - near the 101. It had the motto "If we don't have it - you don't need it!" Back in the day - that seemed like an impressive supplier, but I suppose it was steamrollered by Home Depot/Lowe's/etc. a long time ago. Anyone know if they still exist?

[Lunatic Fringe]

Walmart, McDonald's, Home Depot... Walmart, McDonald's, Home Depot... Walmart, McDonald's, Home Depot... Walmart, McDonald's, Home Depot...

[HHFi]

Sad to hear. Back in the early '90s, I was production director at a radio station in Dallas, and I ended up writing and voicing all the commercials for the local Yardbirds stores. They were nice people, and I'll always have a soft spot for them. Their logo was a cartoon crow, so I created a character voice for him and did a series of funny spots from the bird's point of view, as he turned to Yardbirds to help him cope with various crises, like his in-laws coming to visit, etc. I always appreciated clients with a sense of humor who'd let you be creative with their spots, and the ads worked so well for them, they gave me a gift bag of free flashlights and tools.

Probably wouldn't be so much fun dealing with Home Depot Corp.

[djreece]

I'm disappointed to learn this.