Hardware Store in Five Points

[JaxResident]

The former location of Fuel would be a great location for an Ace Hardware or True Value hardware. This area has few options for purchasing those items one would acquire at store such as this, except to get in your car and drive to Home Depot or Lowe's. Most urban core areas (cities like Boston, Chicago, Providence, etc) all sport local hardware stores.

In most of these stores, you can purchase everything from window caulking, to RTA furniture, plumbing supplies, laundry baskets, cleaners, and more. I have been emailing with the leasing company who is working to secure a tenant for this retail space at 1037 Park Street. They like the idea of a hardware store coming in, but are not sure if there is enough business in the area to sustain it.

No offense to the merchants in Five Points, but the last thing we need is another antique store/market, hair salon, or gift store. We need a merchant with everyday goods and services where people who live in the neighborhood can frequent and utilize. It would be great especially for those of us who walk everywhere and try to avoid using our cars whenever possible.

According to the leasing company, there has been some extensive repairs made to the retail space, but more renovations will be required for any new tenant. I would suspect a good cleaning is in order, as the space has sat empty for quite some time.

[arteest]

sounds like a good plan. go for it.

[Ocklawaha]

This is an excellent idea, and a classic thinking out of the box example of creativity. Sure there would be enough business in the area, in fact a good hardware store can create a draw from a much larger area when they identify and stock neighborhood demand items. All I can say is go for it.

Until such time, and if you still need some hardware items, a trip up Myrtle to Beaver will put you in a good spot as will a trip up North Main above 8Th. These tend to be those cool little old mom and pop stores with not much of anything and a little bit of EVERYTHING!

OCKLAWAHA

[fieldafm]

The former location of Fuel would be a great location for an Ace Hardware or True Value hardware. This area has few options for purchasing those items one would acquire at store such as this, except to get in your car and drive to Home Depot or Lowe's. Most urban core areas (cities like Boston, Chicago, Providence, etc) all sport local hardware stores.

In most of these stores, you can purchase everything from window caulking, to RTA furniture, plumbing supplies, laundry baskets, cleaners, and more. I have been emailing with the leasing company who is working to secure a tenant for this retail space at 1037 Park Street. They like the idea of a hardware store coming in, but are not sure if there is enough business in the area to sustain it.

No offense to the merchants in Five Points, but the last thing we need is another antique store/market, hair salon, or gift store. We need a merchant with everyday goods and services where people who live in the neighborhood can frequent and utilize. It would be great especially for those of us who walk everywhere and try to avoid using our cars whenever possible.

According to the leasing company, there has been some extensive repairs made to the retail space, but more renovations will be required for any new tenant. I would suspect a good cleaning is in order, as the space has sat empty for quite some time.

Have they come down in rent?  Last time I remember anybody I was associated with sniffing at that place the rent was quite high, and the owner required the tenant to front the cost of renovations.... which at the time the space was in pretty bad shape.

RAP is working on a preferred vendor list for renovation items.  If a hardware store was to move into that space, catering to this specialty market would be wise IMO.  

That's an interesting premise for that space.  I think a more specialty hardware place would be a better fit than an Ace(which also relys on their outdoor section which the old Fuel location does not have accomodations for) as Lowe's is about a 5 minute drive from 5 Points, just outside of Murray Hill.

[Ocklawaha]

You have to know that craftsmen are like artists or modelers and most would much rather deal with their LOYAL neighborhood hardware expert then with Lowes or Home Depot.

I might go to Lowes if I need 10,000 feet of 1" pvc pipe, but if I need a widget screw for a left handed disgronificator I'm going local. Recently changed out all of the faucets a home here in WGV, got the flex tube feed lines from a tiny place called COUNTRY SUPPLY about 1/4 mile south of the Outback Crab Shack and BEHIND a country gas station/store. When I needed two more I was near Lowes which was nearly TWICE THE PRICE, needless to say Country Supply got another visit and a loyal customer.


OCKLAWAHA

[JaxResident]

If you look around the neighborhood, there are so many businesses, condos, free-standing homes, and property management companies (who have maintenance people) who would utilize and frequent a Five-Points hardware store location.

Walking around in 5points during the day, you see electrician's vans, painter's trucks, plumber vehicles, and the list goes on and on. I feel that the resident's and other businesses would certainly support an area hardware store. Look at all of the property rentals in the area. Just having a local place to get keys made, purchase a lock, etc would be great.

I do think you are dead-on about the rents being expensive but if they ever hope to get a tenant, they should considering encouraging a business that would actually be a draw (and benefit) to the community. I contacted the management/leasing people initially because I thought that improvements could at least be made by the owner to clean up the front of the building (paint, pressure washing, replace the broken window, clean the exterior front of the building, etc).

[arteest]

we all agree. what are you waiting for?

[JaxResident]

The leasing company is looking into it and seeing if this can become a reality. I would assume they would be approaching one of the local hardware franchises to see if they have interest in a 5 Points location.

Believe me, if I had the $$ to open it myself, I'd do it.

[floridaforester]

I've always preferred Curry Thomas to traveling an extra mile for Lowe's.  I would always rather support a locally owned store than a big box chain.  I have been a little bit let down by the friendliness of some of the employees @ CT lately.  I think if a hardware store ever did come to 5 Pts they would have to concentrate on and market outstanding customer service.

My first choice for this location is and always will be for Jackrabbits to move there.  It is a great venue for live music with a separate bar at the front and a huge area upstairs for a lounge.  Anything is better than their current building.  On that note, I will be ecstatic for anything in the space though.

[billy]

Anyone remember Time Square Hardware(formerly) on University?

[RiversideLoki]

My first choice for this location is and always will be for Jackrabbits to move there.  It is a great venue for live music with a separate bar at the front and a huge area upstairs for a lounge.  Anything is better than their current building.  On that note, I will be ecstatic for anything in the space though.

That would be ideal, but I think the rent is just too darn high. Jackrabbits has a sweet deal with their current location, I hear. But you're right, their current venue kinda sucks and it's small/cramped.

That being said, I wouldn't mind a hardware store that I don't have to drive several miles to.

[Bativac]

Anyone remember Time Square Hardware(formerly) on University?

I remember Times Square Hardware. I had a friend who worked there, in high school, I think.

Since I moved I've been running to Curry-Thomas in St. Nicholas for my smaller hardware needs (razor knifes, garden tools, etc). Sure is convenient and I like the feel of going into a locally-owned place that's been around since my dad was a kid.

A hardware store would be great. I also think an art store would be fantastic in Five Points, something to compete with Reddi Arts. I was in an art supply store near the Art Institute of Chicago a year ago and it would be great if Jax had something similar (not that Reddi Arts isn't great - but not exactly in a walkable area). One thing they don't need is another clothing or antique store and it'd be nice to see something besides a restaurant or gift shop open in the area.

[The Compound]

Just having a local place to get keys made, purchase a lock, etc would be great.

You can get keys made at the UPS store by Starbucks, just FYI. I just found out not long ago, and use them often.

[fieldafm]

I also think an art store would be fantastic in Five Points, something to compete with Reddi Arts.

There is some type of new art store opening up next to the Italian restaurant.

[Jumpinjack]

Five Points used to be a more diversified commercial center. San Marco the same. Anyone remember Peterson's five and dime store. There was almost nothing that store didn't carry. Now we are losing the news stand.

Completely agree about the hardware but not that it has to be a franchise type store. Small and local is good too. And, while I'm wishing - a good bookstore like the kind you find in Fernandina or St. Marys, GA.