My Toy Store

Several years ago, I found myself on a tour of all the little hardware stores in downtown New York City in search of a wood screw. I had a bench to repair, and I needed the grip of the deeper threads and tapered shaft that a wood screw has to pull the piece together. But every clerk showed me his endless collection of sheet metal screws, which have finer threads and a straight shaft, telling me wood screws are obsolete and these would do just fine.

Hardly.

I went from store to store, trying to find one clerk who knew a thing about screws—or any other fasteners, for that matter—but no luck. And then I discovered Garber Hardware.

Now, I'm not claiming to have "discovered" Garber's in the way that people claim to discover the best cup of coffee or the best fettuccini alfredo in some out-of-the way place that no one's ever heard of. Anyone with eyes in their head and a few years in Greenwich Village knew about Garber's, which at the time occupied an overcrowded group of storefronts at 8th Avenue and West 4th Street. I just mean I discovered an appreciation for the old-fashioned service and endless stock of screws, nails, housewares, tools, plumbing fittings, paints, electrical conduit, and everything else hardware stores used to carry before the proliferation of home centers.

Garber's was founded in 1884 by Nathan Garber, and is still run 122 years later by his descendants. They've since moved to more spacious quarters on Greenwich Street between 10th and Charles Streets, updating their look and even creating a website. But what was wonderful about it all those years ago is what's wonderful about it now. Even on the days when I walk in there wearing a skirt and high heels, no one—and I mean no one—ever talks down to me.

(Compare that to the time I went to a local lumber yard, and after finding out they only had a band saw to rip my plywood, I said I'd just do it myself with my circular saw. The guy behind the counter said to me "Oh, I don't want you to use a circular saw. They're very dangerous." I just looked at him and said. "I believe I said I would be using my circular saw, not my boyfriend's circular saw or my father's circular saw!")

Anyway, I usually find myself at Garber's on Sundays, when Nathaniel, the founder's great-great grandson is behind the counter, helping customers find the right materials and talking phone callers through repairs. I rarely walk out empty handed, because they always have what I'm looking for, and I can talk through my options with Nathaniel if I'm not sure of what I need. The inventory is endless, the service is impeccable, and the feeling when I'm walking home—swinging my bright orange bag of goodies— is unbeatable.