"Before Home Depot and Lowe's took over the market, local hardware stores used to serve as the center of many communities. Yes, they sold hardware and building supplies, but they also acted as a sort of general store. I remember visiting stores like this as a child, where you buy a shovel, a mailbox, or duct tape, but also paper towels, and maybe some barbecue grill supplies. Because these stores were local and locally operated, their owners had the option to stock what was needed."
"Hardware stores in the United States facts: As of 2025, there are roughly 12,906 businesses classified as "hardware stores" in the U.S., according to IBISWorld. The number of hardware‑store businesses has had a slight negative growth rate over recent years, a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -0.6% between 2020 and 2025, the same IBISWorld report shared. The percentage of hardware stores that are truly independent (mom‑and‑pop style) has dropped over the decades, from 47% in 1992 down to 42% by 2018, reported The Handbuilt City."
Local independent hardware stores historically functioned as community centers and general stores, selling tools, household items, and offering personal service. Big-box chains like Home Depot and Lowe's provide similar inventories but operate at larger scale with less personalized customer relationships. The total number of businesses classified as hardware stores showed slight negative growth through 2025 with a CAGR of -0.6% from 2020–2025, and the share of truly independent stores fell from 47% in 1992 to 42% by 2018. Surveys indicate many independents are single-store, small, and rural, with mixed sales and closures driven by shifting retail demand and retirements.
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