Iconic Seattle Tool Store Closes After 88 Years Remembering Hardwick’s - One Last Walkthrough

[@RRINTHESHOP]

I remember when there were so many great hardware store. Thank for bringing back great memories of the true hardware stores. Thank you Jon for sharing Hardwick's with us.

[@RightOnJonCrane]

Right On Randy! 🙌 Thanks. I know I showed some of this in a video a while back but I saw I had lots more footage and thought it deserved a video of its own. Not many of these old stores left. Hardwicks was a great store!

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Right on Jon.@@RightOnJonCrane

[@zekeabercrombie3583]

Makes me sad to see real hardware stores go away-replaced by Harbor Freight, Home Depot, or on-line. I grew up in Kilian Hardware in Philadelphia.

[@RightOnJonCrane]

Yes it is such a hardship on people who make a living with their hands. The tools at the big box stores are of such poor quality. I will have to look up Kilian Hardware! Philly! 🙌 Love me some cheesesteak! I’m glad we have Tat’s here In Seattle. He moved out from Philly to make sandwiches here. Such a blessing!

[@rogermcdonald1607]

We had hardware stores here in Iowa that had quality tools like Starrett, mititoya, Craftsman, etc, and there all gone for junk like Harbor freights and junk made in china that can be bought on line. Very sad! 🤔

[@RightOnJonCrane]

Right Roger! It’s amazing to see all the junk tools that most tradesmen are using on a daily basis. Mostly disposable tools. 🛠️

[@ScoutCrafter]

Hi Jon- I sure wish places like this still existed. Another place I wish was around is Polk hobbies in the city. I’ve only heard stories. It’s so great you captured all this on video for prosperity. 😃👍

[@RightOnJonCrane]

Thanks John! Yes this was a special place. Real quality tools 🛠️. Tools that last a few lifetimes. I never made it to Polk but wish I did. I’m curious what good tool stores are left in the country? Would be a fun road trip. 🙌

[@ChrisLoganToronto]

Man, these places had anything you needed not just a few sizes or a couple brands. But can you even imagine how much money they had tied up in inventory. And then still have to try to compete on price with the big boxes. I wish these type of businesses still existed and when you do find a few of the hold outs I certainly try to support them. Plus they seemed to know how everything worked or what you needed to do a job. Unlike HD where the employee will just take some guesses. So many times, I've asked " Do you know for sure or are you just guessing?"

[@RightOnJonCrane]

Right On Chris! 🙌 Yeah Hardwicks was an amazing place. All these old spots are going out. Amazon and the big box stores. I really do my best not to ask for anything at Home Depot. I do use the Home Depot app to look up what isle a product is in. That helps. Kind of anti social but sometimes I want to get something quick!

[@konoctiswigwam8130]

I have never been to a better tool store in my life. I was only there twice when I was up there, but there was certainly something to find in that place every time. Even used tools. One visit I bought a planishing hammer made out of an engine valve...😕 Also had a lot of inexpensive Japanese tools. I still use a small scraper I got there, often.🗽

[@konoctiswigwam8130]

Thanks for pointing out their website Jon, I didn't know they were still selling tools. Go look at any of the pages, filled with some of the better brands. Drawknives as an example, they have the two cherries, gransfors, straights, curved, flex, etc...just an amazing selection to shop. They always had a full line of Lie Nielsen planes, chisels, saws...damn I'm missing it more and more as I type...they had an amazing selection of gouges and carving tools...I need to get away from there, I'm already putting stuff in my cart...🙄

[@RightOnJonCrane]

Right On! 🙌 Yes that planishing hammer is the exact kind of thing I’d expect to find there. Such a great store. If walls could talk. I imagine all the tradesmen who have walked those isles. Imagine all the machinists in the 50’s.

[@tomdale1313]

Originally opened as a secondhand store, Hardwick’s evolved into a hardware store with an eclectic mix of inventory, featuring items like “Japanese pruning saws and Italian riffler rasps.” Though he enjoyed operating the store, Hardwick decided to close up shop because he couldn’t keep up with the increasing costs of operating in Seattle. As a result, the property was sold last year to a group of Bellevue-based developers for $17.26 million, according to King County assessor’s records, and will soon be the site of a 22-story high-rise. “Seattle has changed quite a bit,” Hardwick said. “It’s no longer a working town, as far as people working with their hands. It used to be an artsy town, a blue-collar town. It wasn’t as money-driven as it is now.” Increased competition from big-box stores like the Home Depot and Lowe’s, along with shifts in consumer spending habits, has brought on changes in the local retail landscape, with stores like Hardwick’s being unable to keep up.

[@RightOnJonCrane]

Right Tom! Seattle has really changed. I guess the country has changed. Lots of high schools don’t offer shop classes and not many young people are interested in making things in a blue collar sense. And those that do want to work with tools have very limited resources and guidance. So in comes the 22 story apartment complex. I wish it weren’t so. I’m grateful to have had Hardwick’s all these years. I’m also glad they are still selling tools. And Mama Cat is doing great today. She likes the early spring. ☀️✨

[@tomdale1313]

This Country's soul was once upon a time rooted in manufacturing as well was her foundries of steel now it's Tech stuff...thxs for Moma Kat update so glad she has a forever home with a loving "SUGAR DADDY"@@RightOnJonCrane

[@tomdale1313]

another reason cited was uncontrollable shoplifting@@RightOnJonCrane

[@bigvicsworkshop]

Man that was a awesome store! All of our old HW stores are gonna in my area as well....but i use to enjky roaming thru them as well. Tha js for sharing!

[@RightOnJonCrane]

Right On Vic! 🙌 This was my favorite store! Quality tools around every corner! 🛠️

[@setdown2]

Sad so sad for Seattle...at least he's getting closer to Jersey...😂...🖖

[@RightOnJonCrane]

Exactly! Closer to a Taylor Ham egg and cheese sandwich! 🙌

[@peterw2845]

There were two hardware stores in my area when I was young , and oddly enough they both had the same smell to them, I never knew what it was but it was very memorable , I can smell it now just thinking about it , another wonderful thing lost to time , thanks for making great memories return

[@RightOnJonCrane]

Right On Peter ! 🙌 Yes that’s so wild about smells and memories. I think it’s a fascinating thing.

[@ronsbeerreviewstools4361]

Thank you for taking us along thru Hardwicks harware store, sad to see it close, like any other independent stores. Starrett tools made Athol Taxachusetts and that region rich when in it was in its heyday. Cheers !

[@RightOnJonCrane]

Right On! 🙌 Got to love those Starrett tools! Athol Mass! I could go for a fish grinder! Good eating there!

[@east_coast_vintage_tools]

Great video Jon! - We need more stores like this.

[@RightOnJonCrane]

Right On! 🙌 Yes we do! Wouldn’t that be cool to see a resurgence of stores like this. For now we’ll collect the old quality tools.

[@darylpresley4300]

They had a pair of bumper mounted motorcycle carriers that my uncle had invented back in the 60s. I didn't need them but I wish now I had bought them. There will never be another store like Hardwicks. So sad.

[@johngiovine8792]

Hardwick's was a true mecca for all creative endeavors and repairs!

[@andyc972]

Thanks for sharing this Jon, even though it's sad to see, there are not many store around like that any more, but I'm always on the look out, the kids always dreaded me finding a hardware store when we travelled anywhere new as it always had to be thoroughly assessed ! 😉 The range of tools stocked was truly amazing, nice to see some quality British tools among them too, and they had almost as much hardware as Reggy ! 🤣

[@AndyM.]

And DUDEZILLA, where can I go to get sticker for your channel?

[@RightOnJonCrane]

Right On Andy! 🙌 Shoot me an email with your address and I’ll mail one out. My email is [e-mail] 👍

[@AndyM.]

I think those BASTARD at DA TUBE deleted my other comment! ANYWAYS, If @bigvicsworkshop says your channel is GROOVY then that is ALLLLL I need to subscribe!!!!

[@AndyM.]

DUDEZILLA! THANKS for the stickers you magnificent b@stard!

[@IMOO1896]

Sad

[@RightOnJonCrane]

Yes! So sad not to shop there anymore but I’m glad they still have tools available online. And if I make it out to Idaho!

[@Lukas-Richter]

😊

[@RightOnJonCrane]

Right On Lukas! 🙌

[@williaml.baptiste3597]

I did business there when I lived in Seattle, and still do business with them on line.

[@RightOnJonCrane]

Right On William! 🙌 That’s great! I hope to visit their store in Idaho at some point. I’m glad they are online as well. Not the same as browsing the isles but they are still a great resource.