E.M. Brown Shopping Guide: An Informed Visitor’s Perspective
Why You Should Visit
- Extensive Inventory: You’ll find a surprisingly wide selection of goods, ranging from basic hardware (hammers, nails, plungers) to lumber, plumbing supplies, windows, paint, fishing tackle, animal feed (hay, shavings), gardening supplies, and even clothing and shoes. They also carry propane.
- Small-Town Charm & Service: Expect a friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable staff. The atmosphere is described as having a “small home town feel,” with staff going above and beyond to assist customers. They’re known for their excellent customer service.
- Competitive Pricing: I’ve experienced price matching with big-box stores, and in some cases, they even offered a better deal. It’s worth checking their prices before heading elsewhere.
- Convenient Services: They ship via UPS and accept Amazon returns (though their process differs from standard UPS store QR codes—be prepared to work with their staff). The store is described as “very quick and convenient.”
- Unique Building & Layout: The store resides in a large Victorian building. While I couldn’t access the freight elevator as a child, the upstairs location holds a significant amount of additional stock including clothing and shoes.
- Local Expertise: Staff are described as “straight forward,” “very helpful,” and “super helpful.” They helped one customer build their entire home.
- Now a Milwaukee Dealer: They are now an authorized Milwaukee tool dealer.
Why You Might Consider Alternatives
- Animal Feed Quality Concerns: I’ve noticed inconsistent quality in their bagged shavings, sometimes arriving soaked or damp, potentially raising concerns about mold spores. This is something to keep in mind when purchasing.
