It's interesting that a trip to the hardware store when we are out at the cabin is much more pleasant than one in Alexandria. Maybe that's because the trips for stuff related to projects on the 1929 Alexandria bungalow are mundane, deal with traffic, and often to crowded stores where the clerks rarely know much about the products.
In fact, I'd sworn off visits to the local Home Depot here. That chain redeemed itself somewhat with the excellent service we've received when we go on a "big shop" down to H-burg, but I still will not set foot in the two stores near here.
So it happened last Saturday that we needed to get some work gloves and cleaning equipment for the pool, so we decided to head into town to the Ace Hardware - we also go to the Page County Co-op and Southern States, both in Luray, from time to time.
It's a trip back in time when we go there. A small store that has a pretty comprehensive inventory. Samples, accompanied by price sheets. Pencils and pads to make notes and do calculations. Clerks that know where everything is. Very interesting stock and equipment - stuff that most "Northern Virginians" do not need or have never thought of...but now that we've seen it, we want one.
This Ace shares the property with Gilliam Lumber, which operates in Luray, Front Royal, and Manassas; here are some photos of the working lumber yard. Sometimes we also catch a glimpse of new signage passing through this yard on its way somewhere else - Chevy dealer signs, gas stations, and once a Sonic.
Chris was with me when we saw the Sonic sign back in April. To this day, he still asks me if I ever figured out where the Sonic was. I think it's in Manassas, not the Valley.
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