Don’t Go To Lowes. Go To Buckworth’s Hardware
With the economic downturn everywhere, we want to know about the great “local merchant’, you’ll be doing business with during the upcoming holiday shopping season.
There are the real local folks, who will be front-line for survival this season. And since many DL’ers hate the big boxes, and malls– we would love to compile a list of Delaware based shopping alternatives.
h/t The Voice of Reason and Common Sense.
Tags: Delaware
In Northern New Castle County, Fairfax Hardware is teh awesome if you are looking for a Lowes alternative.
Honestly, I have no problem with Lowe’s, but I think they will survive. I can give Buckworth’s a hook up through this and only go to Lowe’s when necessary (when Buckworth’s doesn’t have something).
…Fairfax Hardware …
Cass…what?! Why do you go all the way up there if you are a neighbor of KWS? 😆
Sorry, couldn’t resist that from yesterday.
I’ll stop.
Action Hardware Branmar Plaza in North Wilmington is great!
Jason-We absolutely LOVE Buckworth’s! They still fix a screen, and can get me a wooden clothesline pole/pusher upper thing. Excellent, knowledgeable service, and KNOW where everything is. They have wonderful, unique dinnerware/service pieces, and a host of Delaware and local towns memorabilia/pottery. Happy husband here…and I know where my gifts come from. BTW-for the rest of you–Buckworth’s is on Main Street in Middletown.
I just picked up a few things in Trolley Square! I’m skipping the malls this year – I always end up buying more and over-spending.
There is nothing wrong with Lowes’. It is a good outfit and I am tired of the bashing of it. I say go to both and learn the strengths that each have to offer.
We always go to Fairfax Hardware. Even if I have to spend a quarter or a dollar more, it is definitely worth it.
David must be a Jimmy Johnson fan. 😉
Of the two big boxes, Lowes and Home Depot, stay away from the Depot…owners are major wingnuts!
Lowes is better, anyway.
But, yes, I agree with the spirit of the post. Support local businesses!
I support Kid Shelleen’s very well! Well, at least the bartenders!
sounds like a stock owner too. No big deal really, I’m sure all their tax dollars and income from their sales stays right here in Delaware…
Pandora-Please tell me some type of shoppes in Trolley Square, I haven’t been there in ages. Thanks.
Yes, by all means shop your local independent stores.
Lamenting the loss of Dover Hardware on Loockerman Street in Downtown Dover.
🙁
Grassroots is a fun store — mostly handcrafted (some local) items including clothing, jewelry, pottery, home decor items, toys and more. Their main store is in Newark with others in North Wilmington and Hockessin.
But they still have an ARMY/NAVY store there!
I go to Fairfax hardware, barely a 5 min drive for me. And the service there is just great.
BTW Tom Carper was on my train yesterday. Noticed after an aide talking to him called him senator. Wish I could have said something to Joe Leiberman’s bff!
fairfax is great for small things and a little know how. but if you are re-doing a room, putting a roof on, building a deck you have to go to lowes. and the best liquor store is fairfax liquors. 1-2 less than liquor world (except on wines) and carry a more ecclectic stock.
I’ve also been trying to hit up the local stores and boutiques. It’s all about supporting your local Delaware businesses. There’s some great new stores in the Shoppes of Louviers on Old Paper Mill Road, and then the “Everything but the Kitchen Sink” store near the Back Burner, the Wilmington Country Store, etc…
Lots of great small stores and shops in the first state.
Joanne, I’m not sure of all the names. There are a couple of fun gift stores next to and behind Happy Harry’s in Trolley Square. For great clothes there’s Mystique (next to Toscana) and Morgan’s (Delaware Ave, near Scott St).
I’m tempted to splurge at Morgan’s for DL’s inaugural ball! 🙂
Almost forgot! Looking for great handbags and jewelry that’s hip (classic, too) and affordable? Michael Christopher Designs (Pennsylvania Ave.) has the best selection. It’s always on my shopping destination list.
Key’s Hardware on Lancaster pike just passed the Cannery on the left
There’s some great new stores in the Shoppes of Louviers on Old Paper Mill Road
Sorry, I don’t want to reward the developers for tearing down woods to put up strip malls.
Sorry, I don’t want to reward the developers …
Then you are also punishing the small business owners. Which honorable stance will win and which will lose?
blackstones is great in the shops of louviers…
Full disclosure, I did business with Lowe’s for 3 years. I have about an 100k of loyalty. Which raises the point that these big companies contribute to the local economy as well. As I said do both by catering to the strength of each company.
For those of us up in the Hockessin area there is Tru Value at Lantana Square and Pyles Hardward in Avondale. Both have good selection, although Pyles is much bigger and has more stuff like building supplies. Of course at Pyles you have to pay PA sales tax – ugh.
Also in Hockessin, there’s The Gift Horse where they stock a really nice selection of giftable items and the prices are much more reasonable than Everything But The Kitchen Sink. The Gift Horse is in the little strip center that runs between Old Lancaster Pike and Lancaster Pike/Rt 41.
Oh, also local banks. WSFS does a great job. FDIC insured. Good people to wait on you. Free checking for over 55 and non-profit organizations. Plenty of ATM’s around town. Aside from the fact that they employ Clatworthy they rate an A+.
Don’t forget the 9th Street Book Shop in Wilmington
Full disclosure, I did business with Lowe’s for 3 years. I have about an 100k of loyalty. Which raises the point that these big companies contribute to the local economy as well. As I said do both by catering to the strength of each company.
how did I fucking know….
For all you folks in the other two counties, you might give a day to shopping in Lewes and/or Rehoboth Beach. And I am not talking about the damned Outlets, but in these two towns proper. Great shops for anything you’re looking for, fine galleries, and a hugely popular Christmas shop. Also terrific restaurants where, this time of year they run dinner specials every week night.
As far as for Lowe’s or Home Depot, they have the bulk of everyday items for many things, but it’s been my experience that if neither of those two giants has the item you need, or need to replace, then it can be found at the ACE hardware on Route 1 in Lewes.
There already exists a great list of local places to shop at. It’s called the Yellow Pages. Just ignore the huge ads for the chains, and look for the tiny one-line phone listings. Those are the locally owned businesses.
Few folks know how great the little shops in Bellefont are. I highly recommend a trip up Brandywine Blvd into downtown town Bellefont….check out Saks Thrift Avenue & Ecclectica, my 2 favs. Across the street are great re-sale shops.
Then stop by the Bellefont Cafe (aka Donna’s) & have a most unusual lunch in a most unusual setting!!