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A Hardware Store Gets a Facelift
By The Changeling | December 4, 2007
I don’t know the name of this hardware store, but I visit it fairly often. It used to have a sign above the door that read “Keys Made” but they never posted a sign with the name of this business on it. It doesn’t matter, because the service here is great. The guys that work here are always helpful and they are eager to answer your questions.
It’s located on the corner of Myrtle and Franklin, and it’s a wonderful alternative to the nearby Home Depot. You can wander around for hours at Home Depot looking for some small item, and you will never find anyone to help you. If you happen to stumble upon a Home Depot employee, you’ll quickly find out that they don’t know anything. Add to that long checkout lines and you’re left with a desire to never visit Home Depot again. (Home Depots do not function like this in other cities/states. In other places the employees are actually HELPFUL and KNOWLEDGEABLE.)
I guess pressure from the Home Depot has forced them to update their look. The place used to be dark and crowded, and you couldn’t see into the store if you were on the street. You might have even missed this place if you weren’t looking for it. Now it looks like they’ve installed bright new lights, rearranged the store layout, and gotten a glassy new façade. I encourage you to check this place out if you live in this area of Bed-Stuy and you need to purchase home improvement items.
December 4th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
The store is called Kevin & Richard Hardware & Plumbing, because it is owned by Kevin & Richard. You missed the most notable part of the store - THEY ARE OPEN 24 HOURS!!! They own the hardware store at the corner and the plumbing store a few doors down. If you need something at 4:30am, then go to the plumbing storefront and they will open and retrieve things from the hardware store. They are extremely helpful and knowledgeable.
December 4th, 2007 at 2:59 pm
this makes me very happy. open 24 hours AND they’re nice!
i had an afternoon of unspeakable horror the last time i was in home depot. i think i’m still carrying psychological scars from it…
December 4th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
Correction to the first response: the hardware store is NOT open 24 hours, although the plumbing store a few doors down is. The hardware store does keep long hours though: about 8 or 9 a.m. until around midnight. The two stores are owned by the same person, the father of Kevin and Richard.
December 4th, 2007 at 5:49 pm
hey hey, the community needs both establishments!
December 5th, 2007 at 12:12 am
You’re absolutely right, Michael. I think these two stores should be able to coexist despite their proximity to one another. I don’t want Home Depot to close, I just wish Home Depot would hire people who are a bit more helpful.
December 5th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
THANK YOU for saying what needed to be said about the Bedsty Home Depot. I go to others outside of this one and it’s so different. The store is ugly, hard to miss, very unhelpful people, the checkout is a joke with bad customer service. This place sounds like a treasure. Love those hours and the helpful people.
Hats off to Changeling for another great find in BedStuy!
December 7th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
While I am always the first to throw a stone at Home Depot and will always choose a smaller hardware store first, you’ve got to give credit where credit is due. The Bed-Stuy Home Depot is notorious among contractors and anyone else who works with their hands as the friendliest, least hostile Home Depot with the best customer service and the shortest lines in all five boroughs.
I swear to god. Strictly comparing Depots to Depots, you will consistently find that your blood pressure is lowest right here in the Stuy.