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January 18, 2006

Home Depot Right At Home In Bed Stuy

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Today's article about the Home Depot that opened in Bed Stuy last year creates the impression that business is booming. "It's excitement all day long," said Ricky Campbell, the manager of the store. Personally, we're thrilled the store opened--no more shlepps over to Sunset Park (except to restock the propane for the grill), but we were surprised at the description of how busy the store is. Frankly, we've always been struck at how un-crowded the store has been when we've been there. The article makes a lot of how the store is conveniently located smack in the middle of the brownstone renovation renaissance, citing owners from nearby Hancock Street as well as Crown Heights and Prospect Heights (home to one guy who estimated dropping $20K on supplies for his reno so far). Local leaders grouse that Home Depot failed to hire some of their referrals--but the store claims to hire 70 to 80 percent of its employees from the neighborhoods where the stores are located. In addition, some local paint and hardware stores report having suffered since the bib-box arrival. Net-net, we've gotta believe the store has had, and will continue to have, a positive impact on the surrounding area.
Big-Box Store in Tough Area [NY Times]




Posted by Brownstoner at 9:29 AM | Comments (21)
Categories: Shopping

Comments

I just got back from the Bed Stuy HD this am. To my amazement they were entirely out of drywall screws. Every fine and course thread screw size was out of stock except for 4inch screws. How can you have a hardware store and not have screws?

The Bed Stuy Home Depot is much better than the one in Ft Hamiliton, however its still not as nice as the Lowes.

Posted by: Anonymous at January 18, 2006 10:26 AM

OK, but there is something that has really been ticking me off about the Bed-Stuy HD. Yes, it's convenient to my FG brownstone, but I also work in midtown and often stop into the HD on 59th and 3rd to pick up little stuff at lunch time. Why does the Manhattan HD (literally) have 8 times as many employees??? A doorman??? People who actually have experience??? And for those of you who will say, "well, the traffic," notice how UNcrowded THAT store is! I have been thinking about writing a letter to someone to complain about the huge disparity in shopping experience between the 2 stores.

Posted by: Lisa at January 18, 2006 10:30 AM

No complaints about the Bed Stuy HD. I had gone to the Sunset Park one for almost 3 years now and I think the Bed Stuy one (closer to me) is just as good if not better than the one in Sunset Park. So I wouldnt compare it to Manhattan. This is Brooklyn. The HD in Manhattan is more upscale and caters to people that shop in that area. Bloomingdales is across the street!! Come on. The Bed Stuy HD is a little friendlier than Sunset. Also smaller, makes it easier to find stuff

Posted by: Anonymous at January 18, 2006 10:57 AM

Bed-Stuy HD does not carry propane for grills?

Posted by: Anonymous at January 18, 2006 11:12 AM

I have probably spent $10,000 if not more at the Bed-Stuy HD and was also shocked to walk in last Saturday to discover that every single drywall screw was out of stock except the 4". I will still shop there however because every time I've been to the one in Queens, and the lines there are a nightmare.

BTW - stay away from the rear self-pay machine on the left; it has a bi-polar disorder!

Posted by: Anonymous at January 18, 2006 12:15 PM

I second the question about propane-- we just inherited a gas grill & don't know where to refill that tank. Do we really have to hike out to HD in ft. hamilton?

Posted by: Anonymous at January 18, 2006 12:18 PM

I think Pinchek on Flatbush and Bergen does prophane tanks (not sure if they refill your existing one or replace it with another).

Posted by: Stacey at January 18, 2006 12:28 PM

I've found that the Bed Stuy HD is not as well stocked as Ft Hamilton; however, there always seems to be staff around to help. Usually Lowes follows HD. I'm hoping they do so soon!
My local hardware store on Fulton near Nostrand rocks. I've been pleasantly surprised that they usually have any smaller items I need. Including drywall screws. Don't forget your local hardware store for smaller items!!

Posted by: anon at January 18, 2006 12:31 PM

It is illegal to refill propane tanks in the 5 boroughs. It is also illegal to operate a a propane grill within 10 feet of any building structure. Basically your grill is supposed to be at least 10 feet away from the house and 10 feet from any perimeter fence.(Anyone who has a propane grill and has less than a 22 ft wide backyard is in violation). Of course none of these laws are enforced.

Spoke with someone in the garden department at the Bed Stud HD and was told that once the weather warms up they will sell/replace propane tanks. Something about storing the tanks in cold weather being dangerous.

Posted by: Anonymous at January 18, 2006 12:39 PM

"...was told that once the weather warms up they will sell/replace propane tanks."

huh. I hope that's true. Last time I went there (for the specific purpose of getting a new tank) they said they weren't allowed to sell propane at all. Neighborhood/zoning/whatnot.

Posted by: Anonymous at January 18, 2006 12:53 PM

I was told that they couldn't have propane because their location is within a certain number of feet from a public school. had to trek out to LIC to get propane last summer.

I like this new Home Depot because it is less crowded and insane - and closer to my home.

Posted by: bushwicker at January 18, 2006 12:54 PM

When they opened last summer they did not have propane yet--glad to hear they will be getting it!

Posted by: Brownstoner at January 18, 2006 12:55 PM

How is this a "net-net" if local businesses are suffering? Or are you just wicked excited about the Nets trying to invade?

Posted by: Neighbor at January 18, 2006 12:57 PM

On balance, we think it's good for the area, recognizing that, unfortunately, some local businesses will suffer...

Posted by: Brownstoner at January 18, 2006 1:22 PM

The Nets are gonna be good for the area, too. More people, more business, more publicity. I think the extra money coming in to Brooklyn balances out the demolitions.

Posted by: Anonymous at January 18, 2006 2:23 PM

By law you are not allowed to bring a tank of propane through your front door period.

Posted by: Anonymous at January 18, 2006 3:23 PM

Does that mean that everyone who lives in an attached home must have the propane hoisted over their house to the backyard by a crane for each barbeque? That would mean most of Brooklyn has to do that. Someone could make a lot of money starting a propane hoisting business.

Posted by: Shahn Andersen at January 18, 2006 3:44 PM

I like the convienence of the Bed Stuy HD, but whenever possible I try to use the smaller hardware stores that are within walking distance.

I get my propane right in Crown Heights, from the building supply place on Franklin Ave just north of Saint Marks Ave. They have a storefront on the west side of Franklin and across the street on the east east side they have an open lot with masonry supplies, lumber and even propane. Their actual hardware selection is pretty shabby, but they recognize you the second time you come in the door. They have promised that there prices are always lower than HD. From the looks of things many of the local contractor use them all the time.

For better hardware selection and very knowledgable staff I go to the hardware store on Fulton, just east of Franklin. They often ask me what I am looking for as I walk in the door, and always seem to know what they are talking about.

Posted by: ameraleed at January 18, 2006 4:23 PM

Who cares about a doorman at Home Depot? Come on nowpeople. I am not going to Home Depot to have the door held for me. The Bed Stuy HD is great. I have rarely ever had to wait for an employee, they know where things are, they are friendly, and the place is well stocked and clean. And believe me, I shop there. I am redoing my Bed Stuy brownstone.

Posted by: Dan at January 18, 2006 6:47 PM

The home depot in Bedstuy is great the people are friendly and we go there all the time. Prefer it more so than the one at Gateway or Kings Plaza.Glad its in the neighbourhood.

Posted by: pc at January 18, 2006 9:24 PM

Wait a minute folks! Home Depot may be hiring local people (I'd like to see the real stats on that) but what we really get is another corporate megastore where the products sold are low quality and the workers (no fault of their own) either aren't familiar with the products sold or even where to find them in the store. Clearly I have my opinion here, but as a seasoned contractor, no Home Depot can replace a good hardware store where the owner (1) can help you with your purchase by knowing the products and their application, and (2) knows where they are in the store. And no Home Depot can replace a good lumber yard where the lumber sold is quality, unlike what you find you-know-where. Ditto for a good local plumbing supply store, and a good local paint supply store. All of these can be found in many places in Brooklyn. People, unfortunately, get fooled into thinking that because it is all under one roof that they are having a convenience. Perhaps, in one way only: a parking lot.

I much prefer to have a relationship with professionals who know me, who sell reliable, quality products and who are part of my community. And the best part of all of this is I don't have a car. I can walk, ride my bike, take a bus, call a car or get the stuff delivered to my door. I will go to Home Depot (called affectionately "Big Deal" amongst my friends) out of desperation after hours, but the experience of not finding what I want or having to settle for a piece of junk, long lines, bored and uninformed sales people leaves me waiting for my favorite reliable specialty store for what I want. Call me old-fashioned, but I want the small scale. Like I call it: Big Deal. Maybe we need to share the good local stores we know of to get back some of the business lost to this corporate invasion.

Posted by: KG at January 18, 2006 11:32 PM

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