I'm just shocked - shocked - that I'm the first person to write something about Ashfield Hardware and Supply. After all their reputation proceeds them as the anti Home Depot. But then maybe it's not such as surprise given that this is Ashfield, where people appreciate a good thing, support their neighbors, and don't need to go blabbing about it on the make pretend world of the Internet.
First the store. It's a cute little hardware store with cooking equipment, pet food, children's toys, bird houses, gardening supplies, and hardware.
Need cookie cutters, cat food, eggs, a homemade loaf of bread, seeds, some hardware tools, and maybe some bolts? Then you've come to the right place. They also sell ice cream -- for .50 a cone, so children and families are coming through all day long.
Now here's a little bit more about the store. The owners know everyone - in a good way. They are really big on being good neighbors. I've heard stories that people stop in to look for something, maybe they need a little bit of wire, and the owners just tell the person to "just take it" -- not going to bother charging people for something so small. I was once visiting a woman who had just turned 95,and one of the owners stopped in at the same time to give her some blueberries - just always looking in on people in town.
They also like to help organize local festivals and events, such as a children's fair, and are big supporters of the film festival. So stop by when you are there and at least get some ice cream.
Here's a video if that helps give you a sense for the place: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYAPMgRH7wA read more
