Rathbone Hardware: A Shopper’s Guide
Why You Should Visit
- Exceptional Customer Service: You’ll find incredibly friendly and helpful staff who go above and beyond. Expect personalized assistance, even if you’re unsure of exactly what you need. They’ve helped countless customers with various projects, offering expert advice and product recommendations. One staff member was even described as “the sweetest guy ever!”
- Unique Selection: This isn’t your average big-box store. The location offers a surprisingly broad selection of merchandise, including hard-to-find items and small parts you may not find elsewhere. They even specialize in items catering to local housing needs, like specific mortar mixes for older brick buildings. You’ll find everything from window pane replacements and screen repairs to key cutting services.
- Competitive Pricing: While big box stores might be slightly cheaper on some items, Rathbone’s prices are very reasonable, and the superior service often makes the slightly higher cost worthwhile. I even purchased a bathroom vanity years ago that’s still functioning perfectly.
- Family-Owned and Operated: Supporting local businesses is important, and Rathbone Hardware offers a warm, community feel. The owner’s involvement makes for a truly personalized shopping experience.
- Extensive Services: Beyond just selling products, they offer services like screen window repair and replacement (I’ve had five windows replaced here), and key cutting.
Why You Might Consider Alternatives
- Limited Size: It’s a smaller store, so the selection might not be as vast as a big box hardware store. If you need a very specific, large item, you might have better luck at a larger retailer.
- Potentially Higher Prices on Some Items: While generally reasonably priced, some items might be slightly more expensive than at big-box stores. The tradeoff is, of course, the superior service and personalized assistance.
