Remember When All Stores Were Like This?

I told you about my garden center shopping expedition two weeks ago. I purchased very healthy-looking vegetable and flower plants from two small, local, independently owned greenhouses.  Today I ordered the remaining pebbles for our garden pathways from Jamerson Building Supply, a local Appomattox hardware store and building supply company. I love dealing with local, small, independent businesses. Not only will the stones be cheaper from the local building supply company but their delivery fee is three times LESS than the major home and garden center chain stores and they can deliver tomorrow, not next week.  They have great service, friendly people, and always carry items that hard to find elsewhere. It's gotten to the point that when we need something unique, like a special bracket or a washer for the faucet, we just look at one another and say, "Let's head over to Jamerson's" and we don't even think about the major stores.

Now of course the big box stores have their place. I like shopping from them too and you know I love Lowe's discount rack! I bought three new perennial dianthus just last week and I adore my mini roses.  But still...shopping for my gardening supplies from small local businesses is the way I prefer to shop.

It reminds me of my childhood and shopping along the busy Main Street. Handy Andy hardware in Floral Park was where my mom stopped for new screens for the screen doors, a new fly swatter or paint.  We always went to the local greenhouses and we shopped at Grand Value, Floral Park's equivalent of Woolworth's where Mr. Riley and Betty behind the counter knew us by sight and slipped us penny candy. There was Shannon's candy store, also called Herb's, where my brother worked after school, that sold paperback novels, every kind of candy you could want, greeting cards, magazines and poster board (for those nights when you forgot you had a project due at school tomorrow!).  And Grape Nehi. How could I forget Grape Nehi for just 25 cents?

Seriously though, that wasn't too long ago....and that was in a busy suburb, almost-New York City area.  I am glad to see that the same charm exists throughout the country and in our rural area. While I am glad for the prices and selection at the big box stores, I still love the Mom and Pop small garden and hardware stores.