Last week, after the Santa Ana winds had cleared, I wanted to re-hang our patio sails, but I needed some kind of gizmo. I wanted a hook that I could attach to a screw…without removing the screw. (It’s a long story.)
I figured I’d have to go to Home Depot and hunt through their hardware until I could find something I could jury-rig.
Then I had second thoughts. Why not go to Billings Paint & Hardware? It’s a four-generation family-owned establishment. It’s a little bit out of my way, and parking isn’t always easy. But I could go on a nice walk around the neighborhood and get my steps in.
The staff was a little doubtful that they’d have what I was looking for. But they took me to the hook section and I poked around for a while. Then, tucked away in a corner, I found exactly what I needed.
My purchase probably wouldn’t cover more than 15 minutes of their air conditioning. But I’m glad it went to a family business.
