If you are not buying everything you can from Scheidt Hardware…well, why the heck not? It is located in one of our best historic buildings. It has been continuously in business for 115 years, 104 in its current location at 7320 Manchester. It is a rare survivor. Nearly all of the neighborhood hardware stores have fallen to the big box ones. We are very lucky to still have it.
I usually park around back to avoid the traffic on Manchester but you can quite often park almost directly in front of the store and be maybe 50 feet away from the object/s you desire. As for desirable objects, they have very many. The interior of the store is very clean, well-lighted and a masterpiece of efficient packaging of the very large inventory of goods that they offer.
I am familiar with a few of the objections some customers had in the past. Specifically tobacco smoke and a radio playing a program that a few of us didn’t agree with. But that was a long time ago. The new owners, Ben Reynolds and George McCandliss and family, are unfailingly cheerful and accommodating. You owe them your patronage while at the same time you are helping to preserve one of our finest examples of early Maplewood architecture.
Speaking of early Maplewood architecture I imagine that most followers of this space know by now what function the Scheidt building served when it was first completed. Or perhaps you have read the plaque in the sidewalk in front of the building. For those of you who don’t know and haven’t read my text on that plaque, it was the first location of the Maplewood Theater.
I have had in my file that the building was built in 1910. I don’t know where I got that information but it is incorrect. Also it may not have been called the Maplewood Theater in the beginning. I was able to add a bit more to this story with the help of my subscription to Newspapers.com. Read on.
As always I appreciate everyone who supports and contributes to or just reads this site. We are all at a critical juncture now. I truly hope a change is gonna come.
Stay safe. Wear your mask. “Til next time.
Doug Houser October 21, 2020
18 COMMENTS
Doug, The only time Pop had a mustache was in 1958, the 50th anniversary of Maplewood. He grew a mustache and goatee. All the businessmen had to grow a beard and/or mustache or pay a “fine” for not doing so. I believe there was a “best beard” contest among the businessmen. Bob and our Grandfather, and Roger had beards/mustaches.
Well, whatever the reason I’m all for it. You’d think those beards and handlebar mustaches would be dangerous around all of that hardware store stuff like the key grinder and especially the paint can shaker. I don’t even want to think about that.
Anyone know why White Castle is closed?
Nope. Sorry.
looking back at the pictures it seems the Scheidt men who worked at the store all had mustaches. I don’t remember Bob’s dad having one the few times I met him but maybe he did. I see 3 generations of men having the mustaches.
You are very observant, Mark. That hadn’t occurred to me. Personally I’m in favor of mustaches. I believe you probably are as well.
I am guessing 40 years I’ve had one. So yeah, very much in favor
Thanks, Doug and Mary….so much fun reading about so many things, even I can remember too….My grandparents had a house at 2037 Bland, and my dad grew up there. My mom grew up in Richmond Heights…both graduated from Maplewood High School…My dad, I believe in Jan of 1939…and they married after my Dad graduated in Jan. The following Sept. I was born…and my grandmother found out they had not married in the church, so they were remarried in November, 1939.
Thank you, Pat, for your kind words. I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
Hi Doug, I think that you know I’m a big fan of Scheidt Hardware, and for that matter every old hardware store. Not so long ago we lost Lehman’s and more recently Oak Hill Hardware stores. There are fewer and fewer folks who proudly say, “that’s my hardware store”. The big boxes can never duplicate the wonderful smells, aura and visual effects of these old stores that helped keep our homes and lives patched together. I remember Bob Scheidt telling me Mr. Barnett, the architect did not take on small jobs, but because of his wife’s friendship with Mrs. Scheidt he recanted that position, taking on the design of the building remodeling.
I agree with everything you said, Gary. Folks who have not been shopping there need to start. I go there first. If for some reason they don’t have what I need, then I go to a big box store. But it is surprising how often they have a good quality product that satisfies my need or want. Not long ago I bought their biggest fan. We made a joke that one of their biggest fan bought one of their biggest fans. The fan works great by the way.
Thank you Doug. As always so well done! Will get to the store for a copy of your book! Grateful for all you have done!!
You are very welcome, Pickett. Thank you for your many kind words.
I am the unknown customer, Chuck Hardy. My family has lived in Maplewood for 26 years now, longer than some, I guess, not nearly as long as some of the others of whom you write.
Well, you are unknown no longer, Chuck. Thanks for weighing in. 26 years, hmmm, you’re getting established. I’ve been here for 45 and to some folks I’m still a new guy.
Great article about the store. I found it interesting to see a list of the acts that would be playing at the theater. I also found it interesting that we have not always had as much education as we do today. It still surprises me to hear about folks who could not read and write only 100 years or so ago. How they made it in life I cannot fathom.
Looks like you have a few more things to track down. Of the list of graduates I wonder how many still have family in Maplewood. Or how many of the buildings that the famous architect are still out there. I had no idea we had such a connection as this. I have always liked the building and actually so much of that block of Maplewood. I know many detested the K Mart garage but it’s height did give you an entirely different view of the buildings. My family would sometimes just look over the edge of the upper level and you could see the buildings so much better than when you were driving down the street in your car.
Hey Mark, that elevated view of the south side of the 7300 block of Manchester may have been the only good thing about the K Mart complex. I took a few photos from up there as well. Thanks for your comment.
Thanks, Doug. I pass this store daily at least once when walking my dog, Henry. He loves chatting up all of the retail folks, and these two guys are great…always friendly and very helpful. We strongly support your recommendation to shop there!
Doug, The only time Pop had a mustache was in 1958, the 50th anniversary of Maplewood. He grew a mustache and goatee. All the businessmen had to grow a beard and/or mustache or pay a “fine” for not doing so. I believe there was a “best beard” contest among the businessmen. Bob and our Grandfather, and Roger had beards/mustaches.
Well, whatever the reason I’m all for it. You’d think those beards and handlebar mustaches would be dangerous around all of that hardware store stuff like the key grinder and especially the paint can shaker. I don’t even want to think about that.
Anyone know why White Castle is closed?
Nope. Sorry.
looking back at the pictures it seems the Scheidt men who worked at the store all had mustaches. I don’t remember Bob’s dad having one the few times I met him but maybe he did. I see 3 generations of men having the mustaches.
You are very observant, Mark. That hadn’t occurred to me. Personally I’m in favor of mustaches. I believe you probably are as well.
I am guessing 40 years I’ve had one. So yeah, very much in favor
Thanks, Doug and Mary….so much fun reading about so many things, even I can remember too….My grandparents had a house at 2037 Bland, and my dad grew up there. My mom grew up in Richmond Heights…both graduated from Maplewood High School…My dad, I believe in Jan of 1939…and they married after my Dad graduated in Jan. The following Sept. I was born…and my grandmother found out they had not married in the church, so they were remarried in November, 1939.
Thank you, Pat, for your kind words. I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
Hi Doug, I think that you know I’m a big fan of Scheidt Hardware, and for that matter every old hardware store. Not so long ago we lost Lehman’s and more recently Oak Hill Hardware stores. There are fewer and fewer folks who proudly say, “that’s my hardware store”. The big boxes can never duplicate the wonderful smells, aura and visual effects of these old stores that helped keep our homes and lives patched together. I remember Bob Scheidt telling me Mr. Barnett, the architect did not take on small jobs, but because of his wife’s friendship with Mrs. Scheidt he recanted that position, taking on the design of the building remodeling.
I agree with everything you said, Gary. Folks who have not been shopping there need to start. I go there first. If for some reason they don’t have what I need, then I go to a big box store. But it is surprising how often they have a good quality product that satisfies my need or want. Not long ago I bought their biggest fan. We made a joke that one of their biggest fan bought one of their biggest fans. The fan works great by the way.
Thank you Doug. As always so well done! Will get to the store for a copy of your book! Grateful for all you have done!!
You are very welcome, Pickett. Thank you for your many kind words.
I am the unknown customer, Chuck Hardy. My family has lived in Maplewood for 26 years now, longer than some, I guess, not nearly as long as some of the others of whom you write.
Well, you are unknown no longer, Chuck. Thanks for weighing in. 26 years, hmmm, you’re getting established. I’ve been here for 45 and to some folks I’m still a new guy.
Great article about the store. I found it interesting to see a list of the acts that would be playing at the theater. I also found it interesting that we have not always had as much education as we do today. It still surprises me to hear about folks who could not read and write only 100 years or so ago. How they made it in life I cannot fathom.
Looks like you have a few more things to track down. Of the list of graduates I wonder how many still have family in Maplewood. Or how many of the buildings that the famous architect are still out there. I had no idea we had such a connection as this. I have always liked the building and actually so much of that block of Maplewood. I know many detested the K Mart garage but it’s height did give you an entirely different view of the buildings. My family would sometimes just look over the edge of the upper level and you could see the buildings so much better than when you were driving down the street in your car.
Hey Mark, that elevated view of the south side of the 7300 block of Manchester may have been the only good thing about the K Mart complex. I took a few photos from up there as well. Thanks for your comment.
Thanks, Doug. I pass this store daily at least once when walking my dog, Henry. He loves chatting up all of the retail folks, and these two guys are great…always friendly and very helpful. We strongly support your recommendation to shop there!
Comments are closed.