Local businesses that call themselves "hardware store" are usually not very useful. You may find one that has a better selection of valves than the big box convenience store, or one that's competitive on paint... but I can live without all of them. What I really like are specialty stores, which are usually locally owned. They're cheaper, the selection is much better, and the quality can be better than the big box stores. I'm talking about lumberyards, building supply stores, landscaping suppliers, quarries, lighting showrooms, appliance repair stores, garden centers, nurseries, roofing suppliers, etc. More on reddit.com

If CrappyTire ever gets bought out by some soulless US brand I am going to be very upset. If I don't know where to get something, odds are CrappyTire has it. It's my General Store. More on reddit.com

I go to Kendall Hardware on 108 whenever I can. I guess it's technically Clarksville, but it's right on the edge. The folks that work there are great. I had to buy a bunch of concrete and leveling sand for a patio I built. They let anyone roll their car around back to their loading bay and two of their younger employees helped me load 20 some odd bags of sand and 8 bags of concrete into my car on two trips. Their rental program is useful, the equipment gets better care than big box stores, the employees are helpful, attentive, and they've got some old timers whose advice I actually put some stock in. Products are stocked correctly...The number of times I've gone to Home Depot and pulled the wrong diameter PVC pipe out of a bin, it's worth going to Kendall just for that. The only thing I was uphappy with was their paint. They're technically part of the Do It Best brand, and that's the paint they offer, and it's awful. I'm honestly not sure how they stack up on price, but given I know who the money is going to, I don't mind if it's a little more expensive, but might be a factor given your title. More on reddit.com

The entire electrical aisle was nearly empty. First Lowes I went to was fully socked. ... I had a similar experience looking for a DeWalt 7491rs table saw. None of my local HDs had them in stock. Only had the 8.25 inch saws. Meanwhile Lowe’s had 9 of them in stock plus thickness planers and a better selection of orbital sanders and other woodworking stuff. Probably varies by region. More replies More replies ... Menards. Better hardware ... More on reddit.com