In the age of big box warehouse stores and huge national brands, there is a reason small hardware stores like Ace remain healthy in towns like Independence.
Beyond the convenience of just driving a few miles to the store (I live in Seven Hills) I have a lot of confidence that I will be able to talk to a person within seconds of stepping into the store if I need to, that that person will have all the time I need to answer questions or find specific items, and that that person will know what they are talking about.
Smaller hardware stores may cost a little more than Lowes or Home Depot; they may not have 50 options for a grill or even a replacement electrical outlet; they may not carry everything I could possibly ever need. The big box stores are there for a reason...
...but so are the little stores.
I appreciate that this store, and stores like it, because they represent something those big stores can't - they are neighborhood stores; they are more friendly, more intimate, and feel more like "my" hardware store. I'll sacrifice a dollar here or there, tolerate the lack of a dizzying array of options, and forego the massive holiday sales flyers and big crowds for that feeling.