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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Steve. JUDY BERLIN wrote:
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: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! KathleenP.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" <davidkin...@gmail.com> wrote:Hi Gina,I agree with Brad. It would be great to have you in the neighborhood. Iknow that many of the homeowners on my block are always renovating or updating their homes to some extent. I certainly have a long list ofintended renovations and upgrades. Like Brad, I currently shop at the HomeDepot on Perring Parkway but would gladly switch to a local business. Best, David 2009/1/8 Schlegel, William B CW4 RES USAR USARC < william.schle...@us.army.mil>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 WaverlyFarmer's market and another small nursery on Walther Blvd - WaltherGardens. there are a few small hardware stores in Hampden, but none left onGreenmount 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 Mailwilliam.schle...@us.army.mil, brad.schle...@irs.gov, schleg...@mi.army.mil----- Original Message ----- *From:* Efa Ahmed-Williams <shadesofbeauty2...@yahoo.com> *To:* ednorgardenslakeside21...@i-neighbors.org *Sent:* Thursday, January 08, 2009 10:19 PM*Subject:* Re: [I-NEIGHBORS] Your Feedback Is Sought Regarding Opening ALocal Hardware StoreIf prices are good (competitive with larger chain stores) and you have a variety of items including flowers and gardening supplies the store would bea good addition to our neighborhood. *Peace,* *Efa*--- On *Wed, 1/7/09, JOSEPH STEWART <jstew...@dat.state.md.us>* wrote:From: JOSEPH STEWART <jstew...@dat.state.md.us>Subject: Your Feedback Is Sought Regarding Opening A Local Hardware StoreTo: ednorgardenslakeside21...@i-neighbors.org Date: Wednesday, January 7, 2009, 1:34 PM Dear Community members, Hello. My name is Gina Schaefer and along with my husband, MarcFriedman, and associate, John Elliot, own Federal Hill Ace Hardware onLight 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 locationin Waverly in the old Post Office (Blockbuster) space and are interestedin getting some feedback from you.You can read more about us by visiting www.acehardwareDC.com but I willalso give you a few tidbits of information. We are members of the Ace Hardware co-operative which makes usindependently owned and operated yet gives us a larger buying group to work within. We currently own five stores and try very hard to become adestination location in each of those neighborhoods. We carry more than 20,000 items and have access to many, many more. We divide ourstores into the following departments; lawn & garden, paint & cleaning,electrical, plumbing, housewares, and hardware. We love to adapt ourproducts to our neighborhoods' needs and will bring in almost any itemsthat 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 andhousewares items? Where are you buying things like plant pots, mulch,etc. Do you think the neighborhood would enjoy having a communityhardware store? Are there still enough renovations going on to sustaina large store?Please feel free to email me at . I look forwardto 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 www.acehardwaredc.com You're not a clone, why shop at one? _______________________________________________ Chat mailing list Chat@charlesvillage.info http://charlesvillage.info/mailman/listinfo/chat_charlesvillage.info archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/chat@charlesvillage.info/_______________________________________________ Chat mailing list Chat@charlesvillage.info http://charlesvillage.info/mailman/listinfo/chat_charlesvillage.info archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/chat@charlesvillage.info/_______________________________________________ Chat mailing list Chat@charlesvillage.info http://charlesvillage.info/mailman/listinfo/chat_charlesvillage.info archive: http://www.mail-archive.com/chat@charlesvillage.info/
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