FAITH LAPIDUS: Despite its success, this neighborhood landmark could disappear. Competition from large, national home improvement warehouses, known as big box stores, is driving many small hardware stores out of business. Browns' customers say they do not want that to happen here.

JOHN GRAYZEL: You can find things that you can't find at a gigantic store that's ten times as big.”

SHIRLEY STREET: “You can always find someone to help you here, and someone who knows what you need. It's a personal touch and you cannot find that at a big box store.”

CHRISTOPHER CRUISE: Many big box stores also do not provide services like fixing screens. And instead of having to buy a box of nails at the big box stores, Mr. Brown sells individual nails that are weighed on a scale made in nineteen twelve.

HUGH BROWN: “They just want a few, and they love to come back here, and pick out what they want."

The store also carries soap that Mr. Brown remembers from his youth.

HUGH BROWN: “There's no perfume in it or anything. It's just a heavy laundry soap.”

Mr. Taylor says some people come in just to look around, and find unusual items like an owl that scares birds out of gardens.

And this fly zapper.

(SOUND)

With no family of his own, Mr. Brown plans to pass the store on to Mr. Taylor. When that happens, a new family tradition may begin.

JOHN TAYLOR: “My son works here. He's been working here since he was in high school.”