Family Hardware Store Holds Out Against Bigger Competition

June 18, 2012

In the first of our three part series on the survival of small businesses in the U.S., we visit a hardware store that’s been around for more than 100 years.

Because of the popularity of large home improvement stores in the United States, the neighborhood hardware store may one day be just a memory. But one family-owned hardware store near Washington is defying the odds and business is better than ever.

Welcome to Browns Hardware in Falls Church, Virginia, where you can find a wide variety of hardware and other items. Browns brings back memories for customer Dennis Kraft. "The thing that reminds me of the hardware stores when I was in as a kid is that the shelves are stacked to the ceiling,” he said.

Hugh Brown has owned the store for more than 50 years.

​​Everyone calls him Mr. Brown, even John Taylor, the store manager for 15 years. “He's a great guy to work for. It's almost like working with your dad,” Taylor stated.

At 83, Brown is the third generation to run this family business. It was founded by his grandfather in the late 1800s, then handed down to Mr. Brown's father.

The current store, built in the 1950s, has kept these old gumball machines. And Brown still uses his grandfather's safe.

He thinks the store has been successful because the customers come first. “We try to take care of them when they come in. Try to have the merchandise that they want,” explained Brown.