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    Best Hardware Store

    Cover Image
    Creative Loafing has been presenting Atlanta’s Best People, Places and Events since 1972. These are some of the past winners for this category:

    Best Hardware Store BOA Award Winner

    Year » 2012
    Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2012 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
    Intown ACE Hardware
    Despite vocal grassroots opposition to the big-box giant’s plan, Suburban Plaza will soon be home to a brand-new Walmart. The main concern among Decaturites - besides traffic and the usual borderline-classist stuff - is that the corporate juggernaut will imperil the little (or, littler) guys who’vemore...
    Despite vocal grassroots opposition to the big-box giant’s plan, Suburban Plaza will soon be home to a brand-new Walmart. The main concern among Decaturites - besides traffic and the usual borderline-classist stuff - is that the corporate juggernaut will imperil the little (or, littler) guys who’ve done business in the area for decades. Among the smaller-box establishments to come up most frequently is the well-loved Intown ACE Hardware on Scott Boulevard, just blocks from the site of the proposed Walmart. Whether or not it can compete price-wise, it will definitely be able to compete in terms of charm, friendliness, and helpfulness. This crap economy has already necessitated some adjustments to the store’s inventory - it’s begun selling things like jewelry, T-shirts, specialty plants, and other non-hardware items - and will continue to do so to remain relevant in a funky, DIY-minded community that wants to see it succeed. less...

    Best Hardware Store BOA Award Winner

    Year » 2011
    Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2011 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
    Intown ACE Hardware

    Best Hardware Store BOA Award Winner

    Year » 2010
    Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2010 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
    Intown ACE Hardware

    And other metro Atlanta locations.


    Runner-up: The Home Depot


    650 Ponce de Leon Ave., 404-892-8042, and other metro Atlanta locations. www.homedepot.com.

    Best Hardware Store BOA Award Winner

    Year » 2009
    Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2009 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
    Intown ACE Hardware

    And other metro Atlanta locations.


    Runner-up
    Highland Hardware
    1045 N. Highland Ave., 404-872-4466, www.highlandwoodworking.com

    Best Hardware Store BOA Award Winner

    Year » 2008
    Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2008 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
    East Atlanta Ace Hardware (Permanently Closed)
    And multiple metro Atlanta locations.

    Best Hardware Store BOA Award Winner

    Year » 2007
    Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2007 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
    Intown ACE Hardware
    Multiple metro Atlanta locations.

    Best Hardware Store BOA Award Winner

    Year » 2007
    Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2007 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
    Ace Hardware

    Best Hardware Store BOA Award Winner

    Year » 2006
    Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2006 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
    Intown ACE Hardware
    And other metro area locations.

    Best Hardware Store BOA Award Winner

    Year » 2005
    Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2005 » After Dark » Critics Pick
    Lowe’s Home Improvement
    Some folks howled when a new shopping center landed just south of Little Five Points, but the renovating residents of nearby neighborhoods have embraced the big-box charms of LOWE’S HOME IMPROVEMENT. And when we say “renovating,” we mean, of course, the lesbians. This expansivemore...

    Some folks howled when a new shopping center landed just south of Little Five Points, but the renovating residents of nearby neighborhoods have embraced the big-box charms of LOWE’S HOME IMPROVEMENT. And when we say “renovating,” we mean, of course, the lesbians. This expansive new temple of 2-by-4s sits at a handy crossroads between queer-friendly Midtown and dyke-tastic Decatur, which may be why so many smiling sisters fill the store’s aisles. She’s got a power-sander, you’ve got a tool belt — who needs a deck?
    1280 Caroline St. 404-658-8650. www.lowes.com.

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    Best Hardware Store BOA Award Winner

    Year » 2005
    Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2005 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
    Ace Hardware (Atlanta Stores)
    1231 Glenwood Ave. 404-627-5757; and other locations www.acehardware.com

    Best Hardware Store BOA Award Winner

    Year » 2005
    Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2005 » Consumer Culture » Critics Pick
    Highland Woodworking
    Though the big-box chains certainly sell everything under the sun, we’ve always preferred the mom-and-pop shop feel of HIGHLAND HARDWARe, with its faint smell of woodchips and service-with-a-smile staff. But don’t let that atmosphere confuse you: This store is a serious business withmore...

    Though the big-box chains certainly sell everything under the sun, we’ve always preferred the mom-and-pop shop feel of HIGHLAND HARDWARe, with its faint smell of woodchips and service-with-a-smile staff. But don’t let that atmosphere confuse you: This store is a serious business with a national reputation for its emphasis on woodworking. Its selection of tools is sold nationwide through both its catalog and website, while classes on everything from power tool techniques to the care and maintenance of finished surfaces continue to elevate the 27-year-old store’s profile as a leader in its industry.
    1045 N. Highland Ave. 404-872-4466. www.tools-for-woodworking.com.

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    Best Hardware Store BOA Award Winner

    Year » 2005
    Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2005 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
    Ace Hardware

    Best Hardware Store BOA Award Winner

    Intown Ace Hardware

    Best Hardware Store BOA Award Winner

    Ace Hardware

    Best Hardware Store BOA Award Winner

    Year » 2001
    Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2001 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
    TheHome Depot

    Best Hardware Store BOA Award Winner

    Year » 2000
    Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2000 » Consumer Culture » Readers Pick
    Home Depot
    Meet all your hardware needs in a warehouse-sized store with a huge selection. Tools, paints, light fixtures, pipes, gardening supplies and more line the seemingly endless aisles. This location is open 24 hours in case of any early-morning hardware emergencies.

    Best Hardware Store BOA Award Winner

    Year » 2000
    Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2000 » Cityscape » Critics Pick
    The Home Depot
    Aside from some after-hours clubs, you won’t likely find a place more hopping at 3 a.m. than the 24-hour Home Depot. So if you can’t sleep and you’re not in the mood for dancing — or if you just want your toggle bolts and want ‘em now — this is the place for you. If only the Fuddruckers insidemore...
    Aside from some after-hours clubs, you won’t likely find a place more hopping at 3 a.m. than the 24-hour Home Depot. So if you can’t sleep and you’re not in the mood for dancing — or if you just want your toggle bolts and want ‘em now — this is the place for you. If only the Fuddruckers inside was open all night, there’d be no reason to ever get back in bed. less...

    Best Hardware Store BOA Award Winner

    Year » 2000
    Section » Print Features » Special Issue » Best of Atlanta » 2000 » Consumer Culture » Critics Pick
    FixIt Ace Hardware - Chastain
    Opie and Aunt Bea would feel at home strolling into this blast-from-the-past storefront shop in charming downtown Norcross. Hey, you can buy a drill anywhere, but you can’t get ambiance like this from one of those airplane hangar-sized, big-box hardware stores. From the display of Radio Flyer wagonsmore...
    Opie and Aunt Bea would feel at home strolling into this blast-from-the-past storefront shop in charming downtown Norcross. Hey, you can buy a drill anywhere, but you can’t get ambiance like this from one of those airplane hangar-sized, big-box hardware stores. From the display of Radio Flyer wagons in the window to the carefully ordered shelves to the couple of older gentlemen at the counter, this feels like a place Ward Cleaver would’ve been proud to buy his tools. less...

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