True Value Hardware

While technically a chain, at least this locally-​owned shop re-​invests in Ohio; I can’t stand the thought of all that money dropped at the Big Orange or the Big Blue heading south. I cringe.
This True Value is well-​run, organized and staffed by people who know the goods and help you. They HELP you. (Stand around one of those warehouse places and try to find someone who knows something, ANYthing about the products. Won’t happen. «Someone who knows what a nail is? Aisle seven?»)
Refreshing, too, is that slap-​dash feel to these mom-​and-​pop stores not micro-​managed by some corporate office in another state or country. There are always some odd things on the counter that make no sense, have no purpose and could very well have been sitting there since the place opened. Posters in the window for «Dumpster Day» in the next township over. A teenager who either works there or just likes to sort through bins.
«The tools I need for my work are paper, tobacco, food, and a little whiskey.» — William Faulkner