I still have local hardware stores in my neighborhood. People think I’m crazy that I buy stuff from them vs. Home Depot, Lowes and the other big chains. But I have found things there that I can’t get at the chain stores. For example, my furnace requires an odd-size filter. Lowes and Home Depot don’t have it, but the hardware store down the street does. And I also received some excellent advice on paint and how to use certain things. Good for someone who is all thumbs like me when it comes to home improvement and maintenace.
A couple of years ago, I wanted a simple galvanized metal trash can for some outside storage stuff (Rubbermaid doesn't hold up in these parts)....a simple metal trash can!
No HD, No Lowe's...but ACE had it.