Earlier today the
Prince of Petworth posted a rumor that Ace Hardware could be headed to the current Fashion One space (Fashion One is going out of business) at 700 H Street. Washington City Paper's
Housing Complex did a little research and says the chances are good that Ace will open somewhere on H Street. Housing Complex also wondered if this could be the end of Park's Hardware (920 H Street). Park's has a decent selection, though nothing close to Frager's. Their biggest issue is probably that they don't allow you to shop all of the individual aisles. If you want certain types of items you have to ask for them to be retrieved by an employee. That's kind of a big turnoff for many potential shoppers.
I will say that every time I shop at Park's the employees are helpful, and able to offer advice. I think they need to open up the store more, and market themselves better. For example, I think many people are unaware that Parks has a back room of gardening supplies.
24 comments:
I honestly didn't know Parks had hardware; I thought it was just a cell phone store. That's what all the signs out front say. If it's like you say then yeah, I'd shop there if they let me browse the aisles. I should stop in. Or maybe I shouldn't get attached if Ace is about to steal their business anyway.
You can browse some aisles, just not all. You can also browse freely in the back room.
I would welcome Ace but I always liked Parks harware. Very nice and very helpful . . . and they clean up in front of thier property
Park's can probably survive just by focusing on selling their phones and stuff. They apparently are doing well enough in a big space with limited hours. Shrink the space and associated costs and stay open longer if you need to. Its not like Park's sells power tools, snow blowers, grills and other high end items (at least that I know of). The most complex thing I bought there was a pair of knock-off vise grips that I think had been on their shelf for years
Dave B,
Park's actually does sell power tools/bikes/fishing equipment/ect. Not sure about grills, but they have lots of stuff hiding back there.
Their store window is really nasty/dirty and if they cleaned it up every ten years or so..it might help. Yes, they are friendly, but do not have items that are "general" in most stores.
5:06,
I have definitely visited Park's only to make a trip to Frager's or HD after. That said, I'm curious what people have sought, and not found, at Park's. I ask this mostly because I'm curious about the demand.
I actually like Park's. they just need better hours.
No one will even remember parks in three years.
i will remember. i never forget.
@grrr.....
Just like the victim of a violent sexual crime. So sad....
poo's fan,
did you just make a rape joke? if so, that isn't funny or appropriate at all.
as for parks, every time i've come in there looking for something, they've had it. spare toilet parts, an allen wrench, garden gloves, etc. little things, but that's what hardware stores are for.
I like their selection of large knives. You know, like the ones a ninja would need. They may also have nunchucks.
(more like whiney cayote)
As someone who has lived here longer than most of FT reasders, I will say that Parks has been a great neighbor. They have most of what you need, although not always at the best proce, but you can easily walk there on your way home, or in the middle of a project. A few years back, when an ice storm was headed this way and I was out of salt - I called as soon as I got off the bus ands they stayed open so I could get some for the next morning. Yesw I would love an ACE but think folks should take some time to exploe our few existing merchants. So you can't browse all the aisles. You ask for help - and they know exactly what you need. When I needed just one bolt - it was on the house. Anyone who lives here should make an attempt to patronize the few daytinme merchants that eeek out an existance as opposed to the bars that capitalize on the wallets of visitors
The employes at HD are absolutely clueless accept for the Jamaican guy.!
I went to Parks a couple of years ago when I bought my house (down on the nicer, western part of H). They were very helpful. Now I walk up and down H and I can't ever find where it is. This place is like Shangri-La!!!
Apple Pie... there is also an older caucasian woman generally found near the key cutting station/hardware aisle that is a true gem and the smartest whip in HD by far.
I've found that Home Depot only works if you know exactly what you want and need, and better yet, where it is located in the store. For most smaller items, I prefer to go to Frager's since someone there can give you advice on the right part. I think that Frager's carries a better quality of paint as well.
I also had no idea that Parks actually had hardware. Like marybindc, I assumed from the storefront it was a cell phone store.
So wait...all this time I've spent wandering the aisles in HD was wasted. I didn't even realize that there was a hardware store in the area. As a former Main Street manager, I dread the idea of loosing local businesses so I will be stopping in this week...there's also the fact that I am super lazy and it's so much closer to my house!
they helped me design an awesome yet simple pulley system for my lotion basket. Five stars from me!!!!!
put the f*&ing lotion in the basket!!
Wait! Lotion?? U guys talkin' 'bout this:
http://www.youtube.com/verify_age?next_url=/watch%3Fv%3D9ToNZHG5KHw
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