One thing is for certain about two independently-owned hardware stores in the Mount Vernon area: You won’t have to chase down a clerk to get an answer to your questions.
“You get personal service; we’re not a big conglomerate,” said Glenn Smith, owner of Glenn’s Sales Service and Hardware at 14620 Cassel Road in Fredericktown. “We’re here to help the customer. Somebody is usually asking the customer within a minute of entering the store what we can do to help them locate what they’re looking for.”
At Hinkle Hardware, located at 20 South Main St. in Marengo, there is a hometown atmosphere, owner Wayne Hinkle said. He is a retired high school football coach, teacher and principal-turned-hardware store owner.
“It’s the personal help you get,” he told the Mount Vernon News when asked what makes his store different from the big-box chains. "The price might be a little bit more, but you don’t have that far of a drive. You come in, we say 'Hello' and ask how we can help you.”
At both stores, you can walk in with a piece of plumbing or a single screw or bolt and employees will help you find an exact replacement.
“Especially with plumbing, you can’t believe what some people walk in the door with,” Smith told the News. “We learn something new every day. At big-box stores, you’re always getting somebody who doesn’t have any idea what they are selling you. They are sitting there reading the back of a box.”
At smaller independent stores like those owned by Smith and Hinkle, you don’t even have to buy out of a box at all. Both stores offer bolts, nuts and screws individually without having to buy an entire box of them.
“Whatever size you need, we are within 20 feet away of the bolt aisle to figure it out,” Smith said.
