Felice Friese wrote:
>
>
> Not quite! You will find it hard to believe, but I have an old-fashioned
> hardware store right on Newbury Street in Boston's Back Bay. It's a tiny
> store, a half flight up over a chic restaurant, and it has clerks who will
> take you around and find what you need if you're DIY-impaired. It's like
> stepping back into my childhood.
>

I have several small hardware stores where I get excellent service and
quality products. While their stock is limited, they have the basics for
home repairs. Better yet, they will tell me what I need and even show me
how to do it. The best one is in my little down and it is run by two
women. They really know their stuff. Even better, being women and from a
small town, they know most of their regular customers and will solicit
advice from them. I few months ago when I was doing a small plumbing job
and ran into trouble, she grabbed the local handyman and had him tell me
what I needed. The one in the next town is pretty good. I get all my keys
cut there. They have never failed me.

I always make sure to go to these places first. If I don't, the big useless
stores are going to put them out of business and I will be screwed. The
extra little cost is a bargain considering the free advice I get.