Not everything we need to build a layout or module comes from a hobby shop. For years and years I have been buying many supplies from a local chain of hardware stores called Orchard Supply Hardware. This chain started in San Jose, CA in 1931 and expanded to almost 100 stores all over California. Every year at Christmas time they gave out Train Calendars featuring the art work of many different artists. I've been getting those calendars every year for almost 40 years. A few of the things I would go there for that were hobby related were some of my brass tubing or strip, white glue for holding down road bed or track, carpenters glue for bench work. Bolts, nuts, tee-nuts, and washers for modules. Paints for module frames or layout fasicas, aluminum stock to make brackets, shelf brackets to mount layout bench work. This chain was bought out by Lowes a few years ago and now it has been announced that all the stores will close by the end of October. https://www.usatoday.com/story/mone...hard-supply-hardware-stores-close/1060236002/ I am really going to miss them.
Sad indeed. Lowe's isn't a good supplier or in my opinion employer at least in my area. But unfortunately this is becoming the future.
Sad to see the old standard small town companys going away cause of the "Big Box" outfits. Luckily, in the South Seattle area, we have McLendon's Hardware which is still owned and operated locally, by locals! You can still get that same honest help and trust. Rarely do I go to Lowe's or Home Depot.
Orchard(OSH) had been struggling for a while even prior to Lowe's buying them. There d3al with Craftsman didn't really help. I think the biggest issue to me, at least in Roseville was a complete lack of convience. There stores were a bit off the beaten path, multiple THDs, a Lowe's a Sears, and an ACE were all closer and their prices weren't better. And they weren't as big. No lumber yard and the nursery was tiny. I only went there for the Calendar or some specific sale item. They were too big and too small at the same time. Sent from my SM-T377V using Tapatalk
