Working in south Minneapolis trying to finish up the installation of a small fountain, we really needed a downspout angle piece to insure that rainwater would go to the side of the house and not into the fountain basin. I zipped over to Settergren Ace Hardware and of course they had one (in two colors).

Five minutes later I was back on-site only to find that we needed a yard stick or something similar so the client could easily test the water level in the cistern. Back to Settergren I went. “Do you sell yardsticks,” I asked. And was ushered to the paint section where they had a whole box of yardsticks printed with the Settergren logo and address. Back to job site I went and we successfully completed the project and handed it off to the client.

I can’t imagine how hard these little requrests would have been at a big box hardware store. And how long it would have taken to drive there, and walk through the vast store to get my items. A week later, we subcontracted a tree removal with Vineland Tree Care. The removal inadvertenly led to a crack in a storm window. Fortunately, the crew were able to remove the window, drive to Welna II Hardware on Franklin. They were able to replace the glass on the spot, allowing the guys to take the window back and re-install that same afternoon.

The local hardware stores in our service area are a true cultural gem. The owners and employees are authentically enthusiastic and helpful and have an incredible knowledge of what they have and don’t have. I have no idea how they cram all the things into these small stores.