[RP TownTalk] East West Hardware closing....

[Sarah Wayland]

Just saw this note on the University Park e-mail list. I'm really sad.
We've gone there since our neighbor recommended them about a month
after we moved here in 1995. Now we will *have* to go to the Home
Despot or Loathes (as we call them.)

:-(

-Sarah


---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, Oct 8, 2008 at 2:00 PM
Subject: {Univ. Park List} A sign of the times...



A major resource in the area that helps me do repair work on the 30's,
40's, and 50's built homes in our community is closing.  East – West
Hardware in Hyattsville will close its doors on 27 November.

I use them for a variety of period-related and utilitarian items but
especially for the plumbing parts necessary to keep our vintage baths
going.  They also are the area's source for window glass and have an
excellent small engine repair shop.  East-West is a throw back to the
days when local stores carried the items and the expertise necessary
to serve their communities.

While customers haven't been able to just browse through the store in
many years, Gene, Cecelia and the staff know where everything was in a
small store that carries thousands of items.  Personnel always took
the time to cheerfully help with anyone's unique hardware
requirements.

The combination of escalating lease costs and constant pressure from
the impersonal behemoths like Home Depot and Lowes (the latter is
infinitely better in catering to the homeowner), has caused E-W to
finally give up the ghost.

While Gene has already begun to mark down some inventory, plans are to
have a bigger markdown in November.  If you have patronized E-W in the
past I urge you to stop by and thank them for their commitment to the
community.  And bring along a list of those odds and ends you' ve been
meaning to pick up.

If you've never been to East-West, they are located on 410 past the
Home Depot about a mile on the right.  Stop in and get a last dose of
nostalgia before it's too late. And, if any of your children are
planning to hit a ball through one of your windows, ask them to do so
before the end of November.

UP Handyman