Home Depot Right At Home In Bed Stuy
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…
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]
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
By law you are not allowed to bring a tank of propane through your front door period.
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.
On balance, we think it’s good for the area, recognizing that, unfortunately, some local businesses will suffer…
How is this a “net-net” if local businesses are suffering? Or are you just wicked excited about the Nets trying to invade?